JAPANESE MINISTER'S VISIT
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Support For Peace Process Japanese senior vice minister Yasuhisa Shiozaki stresses the need to deal with the Maoists arms before poll
By A CORRESPONDENT
In the last one week, Nepal has seen visits by several high level delegations from different countries.
Although Japan is far from Nepal , it has made tremendous contribution to the overall development of Nepal . Along with a team from the United Nations, two high level delegations from Nepal 's two neighbors also visited Nepal . Indian foreign secretary Shyam Saran and Chinese vice minister for Foreign Affair Wu Dawei, who have high security stakes in Nepal also visited Nepal .
The visit of Japanese delegation has to do with the genuine peace and prosperity in Nepal . Toeing the line of the United States and Western countries, Japanese senior vice minister said that managing the Maoists arms is necessary before formation of any interim administration in Nepal .
After signing peace deal between the government and Maoists, this is the first time any Japanese top-level visitor has commented on political issues. “Management of the arms used by the Maoist is the first thing to do before an interim arrangement and elections for Constituent Assembly are held," said Shiozaki. 'The army raised by the Maoists and the Nepal Army should not be treated on a par," he said.
After meeting with prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala, US ambassador to Nepal James F. Moriarty also stressed the need to stop the rebels from joining the government until they lay down arms. Moriarty told Koirala that " Washington is very very concerned about what could happen in Nepal at a time when the government has been struggling to deal with the rebels sternly," writes The Himalayan Times. Regarding the Maoists, interim arrangements and armed management, the Japanese government - who is the largest donor of Nepal- share similar line with western countries.
After paying three-day visit to Nepal , senior Japanese vice minister also pledged to assist in the peace process. Japanese minister also indicated that they will provide the elections monitoring mission to hold the free and fair elections.
Although Japan is far away from Nepal , Japan has been always supporting Nepal in its troubling times by offering economic assistance and other means. From energy to infrastructures like road, health and education, Japanese have invested substantial amount of money to improve the infrastructures in Nepal .
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