Military

02 February 2005

United States Concerned by Dismissal of Nepali Government

State's Boucher calls for restoration of democratic institutions

The United States has expressed deep concern over Nepali King Gyanendra’s move to dissolve Nepal’s multiparty government and suspend civil liberties.

“The dismissal today of its multiparty government, the declaration of a state of emergency and the suspension of fundamental constitutional rights is a step back from democracy,” said State Department spokesman Richard Boucher in a statement issued February 1.

He added, “These actions will undermine the Nepali struggle with the Maoist insurgency, a very serious challenge to a peaceful and prosperous future for Nepal.”

Gyanendra dismissed Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his government February 1 on the grounds that the prime minister has failed to hold elections and has been unable to control a rising Maoist insurgency.  The insurgency, which erupted in 1996, has resulted in the death of about 11,000 people.

News reports from the region indicate that Nepal’s phone lines and Internet links have been cut and that flights in and out of the country were temporarily disrupted.  Reports also indicate that student and political leaders have been arrested or placed under house arrest.

“If these reports are true, we expect the detainees to be treated well, charged under appropriate laws or released promptly,” Boucher said.

Reports say that the king has appointed a new 10-member Cabinet, which he will chair without the assistance of a prime minister.  He has said that his new government would work to restore democracy within three years.

Boucher said, “Nepal should make an immediate move towards the restoration of multiparty democratic institutions under a constitutional monarchy.”

The Maoist rebels have reportedly called for a three-day general strike in response to the king’s actions, which rebel leader Comrade Prachanda (Pushpan Kamal Dahal) likened to “medieval feudal autocracy.”

Boucher reiterated the United States’ call for the Maoist rebels to abandon their armed insurgency and enter the political mainstream through dialogue.

He said that the United States would discuss its concerns about the current circumstances in Nepal with the king and his new council of ministers.

Following is the text of Boucher’s statement:

(begin text)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman

For Immediate Release
February 1, 2005 2005/111

STATEMENT BY RICHARD BOUCHER, SPOKESMAN

Dismissal of Government and State of Emergency in Nepal

The United States is deeply troubled by developments in Nepal.  The dismissal today of its multi-party government, the declaration of a state of emergency and the suspension of fundamental constitutional rights is a step back from democracy.  These actions will undermine the Nepali struggle with the Maoist insurgency, a very serious challenge to a peaceful and prosperous future for Nepal.

We are also concerned about reports that student and political leaders have been arrested or put under house arrest.  If these reports are true, we expect the detainees to be treated well, charged under appropriate laws or released promptly.

The United States supports a peaceful, prosperous, and democratic Nepal.  The protection of civil and human rights and strengthening of multi-party democracy are key components of Nepal’s progressing along this path.

Nepal should make an immediate move towards the restoration of multi-party democratic institutions under a constitutional monarchy.  We continue to urge the Maoists to abandon their armed struggle and to join the political mainstream through dialogue.

The United States will address these concerns directly with the King and with the Council of Ministers, once it has been appointed.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)