Nepalnews.com, news from Nepal as it happens

US hints at a possible rethink of its Maoist policy

The United States of America has said that it will support any organization that is tipped towards "legitimate reconciliation through political system", hinting at a possible change in its view towards the Maoists following the latter's surprising victory in the recently held Constituent Assembly election.

"In any terrorist organization or any terrorist situation, if there is a way for reconciliation legally and lawfully through the political system, obviously we prefer that," said Dell Dailey, Coordinator in the State Department's Office for Counter Terrorism while briefing journalists on the State Department's Annual Terrorism Report in Washington on Wednesday.

"And there are places where that's taking place already. It is taking place in Nepal, although it's had some ups and downs. But we prefer a legitimate reconciliation and reintegration politically long before we go after and try and do a coordinated, integrated, with host nation military action."

Although Dailey didn't spell it out in clear terms whether USA was considering taking Maoists off the list of designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations, few news agencies have reported that legal procedures and hurdles are being reviewed to erase Maoists from the list.

The US still regards the CPN-Maoist as a terrorist group although the former rebel party is preparing to lead the next government following its election victory. nepalnews.com ag May 02 08