 |
|
| Kathmandu, Friday March 28, 2003 Chaitra 14, 2059. |
|
US support for Nepal to
continue: Rocca
Post Report
KATHMANDU, March 27 : US Assistant Secretary of
State for South Asia Christina Rocca said that the United States would continue to support
Nepal, both militarily as well as in development aid, according to information posted in
the web site of the US Department of State.
In a prepared statement for the U.S. Senate
Committee on Foreign Relations in Washington Wednesday, Rocca said minor military aid to
Nepal would continue. "In coordination with Great Britain, India and other partners,
our security assistance will provide direly needed small arms, equipment and training to
enable the Royal Nepal Army (RNA) to counter the Maoist military threat."
Her government would "also support efforts
to bolster government control in areas vulnerable to Maoist influence by funding
high-impact rural infrastructure and employment projects."
She also welcomed the recently declared
cease-fire and code of conduct and attributed the Maoist willingness to come to
negotiating table to effective action of the RNA. "We believe the parties have come
this far only because the RNA was able to make an effective stand - a goal which U.S.
security assistance aims to bolster."
Rocca added that if a political solution to the
insurgency was reached, then the US should be in the forefront of donors to help Nepal
hold local and nations elections and strengthen administrative and democratic
institutions. The US Assistant Secretary of State said that in the short term "we
will continue to support improved governance and respect for basic human rights, improved
health services and rural livelihoods, and sustainable development."
On the issue refugee problem between Nepal and
Bhutan, Rocca said Bhutan must take back those refugees who are bonafide Bhutanese
nationals. "We continue to urge Bhutan and Nepal to resolve the long-standing plight
of 100,000 refugees in Nepal. Bhutan needs to accept back those persons who have a
legitimate claim to citizenship," Rocca said.
Other Stories
|
