23 April 2004
U.S. Calls for Political Resolution to Unrest in Nepal
Answer to question taken at April 22 State Department briefing
Following is the official answer to a question taken at the April 22 regular State Department briefing; the answer was posted later in the day:
(begin text)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
April 22, 2004
QUESTION TAKEN AT APRIL 22, 2004 DAILY PRESS BRIEFING
Nepal: Status of Insurgency
Q: What is U.S. assessment of the current situation in Nepal?
A: After eight years and 9000 deaths, a vicious and violent Maoist insurgency continues in Nepal. Since they broke a cease-fire last August, the Maoists have caused severe hardship to the people of Nepal. There can be no military resolution of this conflict. Legitimate grievances of Nepalis must be resolved through peaceful, political means.
The United States, in cooperation with other friends of Nepal, is helping the government reestablish security and address the root causes of the insurgency. Our security assistance is designed to allow Nepal's armed forces counter Maoist attacks. Our development assistance seeks to help the government address the needs and grievances of the Nepali people.
The United States strongly supports restoration of a multi-party democracy in Nepal through the electoral process. Nepal's leaders, the King and its politicians, need to set aside their differences and work together. The government and the military must also establish and maintain an improved human rights record in order to earn the trust of the Nepali people.
We have designated the Maoists under Executive Order 13224, blocking any Maoist assets in the United States or held by U.S. persons, wherever located, and bars U.S. persons from most transactions or dealings with the Maoists.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
