Three days after a minor attack at its Information Center in the Nepali capital, the US embassy in Kathmandu has asked the Department of State in Washington, D.C. to approve the temporary suspension of Peace Corps activities in Nepal.

Peace Corps has moblised hundreds of US volunteers across Nepal over the last four decades in a wide range of activities.

According to a press statement issued on Monday, the embassy has also sought permission from the State Department to allow the departure of those family members of American Embassy personnel who wish to do so.

“The attack at the American Center on Friday (September 10) not only endangered lives but clearly violated all international norms and laws,” the U.S. Embassy said.

The attack on U.S. diplomatic facilities will only serve to increase American support for the efforts of the Government of Nepal to find a peaceful solution to the insurgency, the embassy said.

The U.S. government has decided to provide US$ one million in additional security assistance and will work with Congress to make this money available immediately to the Government of Nepal. The U.S. Government will also seek additional assistance funding for the next fiscal year, beginning October 1, the embassy said in the statement.

“We appreciate the statements of support of the Government of Nepal as well as its swift response in providing additional security for American facilities in Kathmandu. We are also grateful for and touched by the many messages and calls of support from people from every walk of life everywhere in Nepal, including from His Majesty the King and Prime Minister Deuba,” said the embassy.

The US embassy has also called upon all members of the international community and, more importantly, what it said legitimate political forces inside Nepal not only to condemn this attack but specifically to work in unity to achieve a peaceful resolution to the Maoist insurgency.

The Nepal government is yet to react to the US embassy’s latest move. On Saturday, premier Sher Bahadur Deuba had called US ambassador in Kathmandu, James F. Moriarty, and condemned the attack at the American Center. He had also assured of adequate security arrangements to US citizens and interests in the country.

Nobody has claimed responsibility for Friday’s attack at the US Information Center. But police suspect Maoist rebels to be responsible for the attack. The attack caused minor damages but nobody was injured in it. nepalnews.com by Sep 13 04