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India,US, UN welcomes govt-UDMF pact

The government of India has welcomed the agreement inked by the government and the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) saying it would pave the way for the April elections

Minutes after the government and UDMF inked their deal, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu released a statement issued by the official spokesperson of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs welcoming the deal.

"We welcome the fact that the Government of Nepal and the United Democratic Madhesi Front have reached an agreement paving the way for elections to the Constituent Assembly as scheduled," the statement says.

The Indian government also expressed its hope for full implementation of the agreement.

"It is our hope that all parties would honour and implement this agreement and their previous understandings. It is for the people of Nepal to choose their representatives, their future and the manner in which they wish to be governed. As always, India will continue to support Nepal in every way possible to achieve the goal of a democratic, stable and prosperous Nepal," the statement adds.

Meanwhile, the United States Embassy has also welcomed the new deal.

"The US welcomes the decision by the three United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) parties to sign a political agreement today with the Government of Nepal. We expect this agreement will lead the UDMF parties to end their Terai bandh (general strike) with immediate effect and will pave the way for the three parties to participate fully in the upcoming Constituent Assembly election on April 10," states a press release issued by US embassy.

"We expect further that both sides will fulfill the terms of the agreement. A free and fair election is the desire, we believe, of all Nepalis – in the mountains, the hills and the plains – and the United States is committed to doing its part to assist the people of Nepal in making this historic opportunity a reality," it further stated.

Likewise, Ian Martin, chief of the United Nations Mission to Nepal (UNMIN) and the Special Representative of UN Secretary General has also issued a statement welcoming the pact. "I warmly welcome today's agreement between the Seven-Party Alliance Government and the United Democratic Madhesi Front. Its implementation will be an important contribution to the election of an inclusive Constituent Assembly in a conducive climate," he states. nepalnews.com sd Feb 28 08