BOUCHER-NEPAL
US says continued violence in Nepal disturbing
SRIDHAR KRISHNASWAMI WASHINGTON, MAY 26 (PTI)
The US has said that the continued violence and extortion by Maoists
in Nepal is a “disturbing trend” despite the rebels proclaiming their
adherence to a ceasefire.
“There is a lot of positive movement, but there is a lot of
continuing problem from the Maoists with reports of extortions,
beatings…they continue…They are continuing despite proclaiming
their adherence to a ceasefire. That is a disturbing trend. We all
need to keep in mind what exactly the Maoists are doing,” Assistant
Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Richard Boucher told
PTI in an interview.
On the issue of military assistance to Nepal, he said the US would
seek the “guidance” of the country’s political leaders but the move
will not have a bearing on the Maoists.
“We will move forward as the political leaders tell us. We certainly
want to make sure to continue our relations with the army. We can do
it in a lot of ways–training, support; and we are quite willing to
do that. I think it is important for the future of the nation. But we
will take our guidance from the political leaders,” he said.
However, the senior State Department official said the offer of
American military assistance to Nepal will not complicate the agenda
of the Maoists.
“It shouldn’t (complicate the Maoist agenda) because in theory the
Maoists have now a political agenda like the ceasefire, constituent
assembly. But unfortunately they have not been active in the
political agenda.They have kept up the violence,” Boucher said.
The senior administration official said things have moved in a
positive direction in Nepal.
“We think it is a hopeful moment.We think things have moved in a
positive direction. First of all people of Nepal have got peace, they
got their government back, politics back. The political parties have
formed the Cabinet and made some fundamental decisions. We think that
is progress. They are moving forward toward a ceasefire, carrying
through on their commitments to have a constituent assembly,” Boucher
said.
He underlined the need for the United States and the international
community to support the government of Nepal and made the point that
Washington has been coordinating things with others including India.
“We need to support them.We have an assistance team out there talking
to the government and we are confident that we will move quickly and
other countries will move quickly to support the government in Nepal.
And we are closely coordinating with other governments including
India”.