HEADLINE NEWS THE RISING NEPAL (DAILY)

UK meet pledges to defeat Maoist terror

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, June 21:The United Kingdom hosted an International Conference on June 19 and 20 to look at the Maoist terrorist crisis in Nepal and the country's development needs, a press release of the British Embassy said here today.

"A wide-range of international partners and international agencies met in London for the discussions which focussed on the current conflict in Nepal, the resultant economic and fiscal crisis and the response of the Nepalese government and international community," the press statement read.

"This was an important conference," the press release quoted Britain's International Development Secretary Clare Short as saying. "Nepal is in crisis, and we fully support the struggle against the Maoist insurgency. But there is also an urgent need to address the underlying issues of corruption, discrimination and weak governance that have allowed the crisis to develop."

"Radical reform is needed to prioritise delivery of services to poor people. It is important that developmental and military assistance packages are considered as part of an overall framework of support for the country. This conference has showed that there is wide international support from the friends of Nepal for a better future for the country," Short was further quoted as saying.

"Maoist terrorists are conducting a savage campaign of intimidation in Nepal to further their own political aims," the press statement quoted British Office Minister Mike O'Brien as saying. "The UK has long been a friend of Nepal. The UK and the international community are committed in our support for the government of Nepal. That is why the UK has put together such a comprehensive package of developmental and military assistance totaling more than 30 million Pound Sterling for this financial year. It is imperative that we help the government of Nepal in its struggle against terrorism. We cannot allow the terrorists to win. Nepal must not be allowed to become a failed State."

The UK development assistance for Nepal stands at 27 million Pound Sterling for this financial year (up from 20 million Pound Sterling on the proceeding year), according to the press statement. "On top of this the UK has released a further package of 6.7 million Pound Sterling which will cover projects aimed at short-term development and reinforcing Nepal's development, military and police capacity."

The conference chairman, according to the press statement, concluded that the meeting condemned terrorism and expressed support for the Government of Nepal's efforts to combat Maoist violence. He also noted that the conflict posed a threat to regional stability and the human rights of the people of Nepal and discussed possible assistance to a future peace process.

The meeting noted the need for an integrated approach to security, reform and development and stressed the urgent need to tackle poverty, exclusion, poor governance, discrimination, corruption, livelihoods and human rights. It urged strong political leadership in support of real reform and inclusive decision-making and donor assistance to be targeted at the poorest areas and to help implement governance reform.

Military assistance should be considered as part of the comprehensive approach to resolution of the conflict, the meeting noted. It also noted the importance of the forthcoming elections and ensuring they were free and fair.

The countries represented in the conference were Nepal, the UK, USA, India, China, Russia, Japan, France, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, Finland, Denmark and Australia, according to the press statement. The UNDP, UNDPA and the World Bank had also attended the meeting, it added.

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