US not to remove Nepal rebels from terror list
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
New Delhi, May 3, IRNA
Nepal-US-Boucher
The United States Wednesday said it will not remove Nepal's Maoist rebels from its list of terrorist organizations unless they lay down their arms and join the peaceful political process.
"What they said is not important. They have to change their behavior," US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Richard Boucher told reporters in Kathmandu after meeting Nepalese Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and other political leaders of the kingdom, a PTI report said here.
"In the past, they have killed people, abducted them and extorted money even during ceasefire. So until they stop doing such things we are not going to review our stand," he said.
The Maoists can also participate in the political process if they lay down their arms and abandon violence, he said, adding that the US government will do everything it can to support political leaders and the people of Nepal in rebuilding the country.
"We need to work in close coordination with other countries, particularly India, as we did to move ahead with Nepal's political process and economic development," he said.
Regarding resumption of arms supply to the Royal Nepalese Army, he said it depends upon the demand of the government of Nepal.
The US official had earlier assured Nepal that the US would continue to provide it assistance in economic, political and security areas during meetings with Nepal's new Prime Minister G P Koirala and Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) chief, General Pyarjung Thapa.
The US government had suspended lethal military supplies to Nepal in the backdrop of the seizure of power by King Gyanendra one-and-a- half years ago.
It had joined the international community, including India and UK, in urging the king to restore democracy and civil liberties in his country.
Boucher is the first high-ranking official of any foreign country to visit Nepal after the king handed over executive power to the people by reinstating parliament.
2160/2321/1414
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
