July 07, 2006

In a significant development, the US ambassador James Moriarty has stated that he is “disappointed” that “the Maoists are yet not showing the same good faith” as the new Nepal government, which “has shown its goof faith by trying to be responsible to the will of the people, and accordingly has invested heavily in efforts to bring peace to Nepal by entering into agreements and negotiations with the Maoists.”

Addressing a program organized by Rotary Organization Dillibazar in Kathmandu on Wednesday (June 28), Moriarty said, “Like much of the media, many political party leaders, and indeed the average Nepali I meet on trips around the country, I am concerned by the continued gap between Maoist commitments and Maoist actions. Kidnapping, extortion, intimidation, and murder are not tools for mainstream democratic political parties – which the Maoists claim they are becoming.”

He cited examples of kidnapping, extortion, threats and murder by the Maoists in recent days. Moriarty feared the Maoist intention when he quoted Maoist chairman Prachanda saying that the Maoists are ready to lead “October revolution” akin to what happened in 1917 in Russia when Lenin seized power violently and created a totalitarian state.

“We all want to believe that the Maoists have changed, that they will permanently renounce violence, that they will give up their arms before constituent assembly elections and submit themselves to the will of the Nepali people, and that they mean what they say when they speak loftily of supporting multiparty democracy and liberal economics. I share your hope that Nepal may soon have its lasting peace. However, until the Maoists bring their conduct in line with standards of mainstream political parties in multiparty democracies, it would be premature to declare that peace is already at hand,” he said.

When asked whether it would be acceptable for the US that Maoists join interim government without giving up arms, Moriarty said the question is actually whether it is acceptable for the Nepali people. “In US, we have a law that prohibits any kind of material support to an organization in list of terrorists,” he added indicating that the US would not support such interim government until and unless Maoists stop keeping the option of going back to violence open.

During his address, Moriarty also heaped praises on Nepali people for the successful Jana Andolan that restored democracy. “The US is pleased to support the Nepal Government’s efforts to fulfill its mandate to provide peace and democracy to the people. We have increased our bilateral assistance by $12 million dollars in recent months to a total of $45 million this year, including some $8 million for programs that directly build the capacity of vital democratic institutions such as the Peace Secretariat, the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority, National Human Rights Commission, Election Commission, and the judiciary.”

New York City Honors A Great Nepali Community Leader

Dr. Tara N. Niraula, President of America-Nepal Friendship Society (ANFS) and a prominent Nepali community leader was one of the five distinguished South Asian honorees who was honored by the William C. Thompson, the Comptroller of the City of New York at special event organized on June 28 in New York City. The Comptroller as an elected official represents over 8 million residents of New York. Dr. Niraula received this award in recognition of his leadership and contributions to strengthening immigrant communities in New York and beyond.

Thompson, presenting the award to Dr. Niraula, said that it was “in recognition of his commitment and patience as a teacher; his dedicated efforts to assist the educational goals of immigrants and refugees; and his willingness to put his knowledge and time in the service of noble public goals.”

In his acceptance remarks, Dr. Niraula thanked the friends and members of the America-Nepal Friendship Society and the larger Nepali community for their work in helping to foster the magnificent and ongoing growth of a healthy and mutually beneficial relationship between the peoples of the United States and Nepal through education, collaboration and cultural exchange.

Praising Thompson for his support of the immigrant community, Dr. Niraula said, “You have always been a leader in our immigrant community and we appreciate that.  I assure you that Nepali community will always stand with you and follow your leadership as greater challenges and greater opportunities lead us to greater heights.”

The event was attended by many prominent Nepal i American and South Asian community members, including Madhu Raman Acharya, the Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations, Murari Raj Sharma, member of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Issues of the United Nations and former Nepali Ambassador to the United Nations. Extending his personal congratulations to Dr. Niraula, Ambassador Acharya said said, “It was Nepal’s as well as all Nepali people’s pride. We are all very proud of this”. Similarly, Sharma said, “The recognition of your contributions to Nepali and South Asian Communities is a matter of great pride for friends like me and the Nepali diaspora at large”. Many other Nepali and South Asian community members, including Mr. Mohan Gyawali, President of Ridgewood Nepalese Society, Tek Bahadur Gurung, President of Nepalese Democratic Forum, Chandra Prakash Sharma, Founder of Nepali Mandir and Director and Publisher of Nepali Aawaz and many other local Nepali community members and American friends of Nepal participated the program.