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| Kathmandu, Friday January 31, 2003 Magh 17, 2059. |
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Int’l community louds
truce
Post Report
KATHMANDU, Jan 30 : The United Kingdom has led a
chorus of international support, welcoming the cease-fire agreement reached yesterday
between the government and the Maoists.
Issuing a statement today, the UK’s Foreign
Office Minister Mike O’Brien welcomed the important and positive development.
"We hope that the cease-fire will lead to a negotiated settlement and moves towards
peace in Nepal."
The UK leads the International Support Group
committed to finding ways to resolve the Maoist conflict through socio-economic and
military measures. The Britain has already convened several rounds of meetings with other
members of the Group in this connection, the last in Kathmandu chaired by O’Brien
himself.
Meanwhile, other friendly nations have also
welcomed the cease-fire announcement. The Indian Embassy issued a statement here today,
saying that "the process of dialogue should be based on national consensus, should be
involved political parties and should be conducted in an environment free from
violence".
"We continue to regard multi-party
democracy and constitutional monarchy as the two pillars for stability in Nepal," the
statement said.
The European Heads of Mission, too, has welcomed
the cease-fire, expressing sincere hope that "this encouraging development will bring
a durable cessation of hostilities, intimidation and destruction that have caused so much
suffering to the people of Nepal."
In a press statement, the Embassy of Finland,
which is carrying the duties of the EU Presidency, emphasised that "the forthcoming
negotiations should be a starting point to a political process leading to the integration
of the Maoists into the mainstream of the political life in Nepal and to the creation of
the right condition for free and fair elections".
The statement also said the EU would continue to
support the government of Nepal in its efforts to tackle poverty, discrimination and the
poor governance. "EU re-emphasises the need for accelerated reforms in key areas of
the government and the Maoist affected areas."
The US Embassy has also welcomed the immediate
cessation of all Maoist military activities and terrorist attacks, according to Radio
Nepal. "We support a meaningful dialouge leading to a peaceful resolution of the
conflict," a Radio Nepal bulleting the US Embassy as saying. "We urge all
Nepalis to take advantage of this opportunity to work together toward peace."
Meanwhile, speaking to journalists at an
interaction programme, German Ambassador to Nepal, Rudiger Lemp, welcomed the cessation of
military activities and hoped that negotiations would become successful.
He also urged both warring parties to learn from
the past experience and mistakes and adopt confidence-building measures immediately.
He said that the international community was
still positive towards development of Nepal and could cooperate for reconstruction.
"International donors can help Nepal for its efforts for reconstruction of the
country as well as rehabilitation of the replaced people," he said.
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