HEADLINE NEWS THE RISING NEPAL (DAILY)

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, May 15: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba today said that his visit to the United States and Britain had been fruitful to fight terrorism and poverty.

"The United States and Britain have promised their full support to assist Nepal to defeat terrorism and to combat poverty and unemployment," Deuba told a press conference at the Tribhuvan International Airport after his return to Kathmandu completing his visit to the United States and Britain. The Prime Minister returned home this afternoon completing his visit of the United States and Britain and addressing the UN special session on children.

"In the United States I met with President George W. Bush, National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice, Secretary of State Colin Powell and informed them about Nepal’s present situation. I requested them to assist Nepal to fight terrorism and poverty and they have responded very positively."

"I met some of the Senators, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and other UN officials. They are also sensitive to Nepal’s problem," he said.

Premier Deuba said the US government would announce the assistance soon. "The assistance will be announced after the discussion of Need Assessment Report," he said. A US military team was in Nepal before the Prime Minister’s visit to the United States to assess the needs to fight terrorism and to address poverty and unemployment. The team has already submitted its report to the government.

"The assistance will consist of logistic support to the security forces and the assistance to fight poverty and unemployment." Responding to a query on whether the assistance would also include military support, he said, "The assistance aims at making Nepal stronger but not bringing foreign troops to fight the Maoists."

"Besides, we also held talks with the US officials to increase bilateral trade between the two countries," he said.

"I talked with the British Prime Minister Tony Blair about the same problems (terrorism and poverty) and he has assured me to assist Nepal to address them," said Deuba. "The British Prime Minister is expected to hold an internal meeting soon to discuss and decide about assistance," Deuba said.

He said the members of the House of Lords and the House of Commons expressed goodwill towards Nepal.

"I also talked to Blair about increasing the pension facility of the British Gurkhas," said Deuba. "He was positive about it."

Deuba said he had extended invitation to President Bush on behalf of His Majesty King Gyanendra and to Blair on his own behalf. "They are willing to visit Nepal."

Asked whether the government would hold talks with the Maoists, Deuba said, "I did not go to the United States and Britain to ask them whether we should hold talks with the Maoists or not."

Responding to a question regarding the extension of the state of emergency Deuba said, "I will consult others to decide how we can go ahead about it. But it is not necessary to extend the state of emergency to fight with the terrorists."

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