An eight-member delegation from the US House of Representatives, led by the Speaker of the House, J. Dennis Hastert (R-IL), postponed its visit to Nepal on Wednesday due to ongoing violence, curfews, and widespread insecurity in Nepal.

A press statement issued by US Embassy in Kathmandu said the delegation was scheduled to review developments here and meet with representatives of the government, political parties, and civil society.

The delegation, currently in India, was scheduled to visit Nepal from Wednesday till Friday.

The statement further said, “In scaling back activities, the Mission – including the Embassy, USAID, and the Consular Section and American Center in the Yak & Yeti Hotel – has gone to minimal staffing. The Consular Section and American Center Library have been closed until further notice.”

With closure of consular section, no one will be issued a visa.

Meanwhile, US Ambassador to Nepal James F Moriarty met Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala and acting general secretary of CPN-UML, Amrit Kumar Bohara on Wednesday and discussed the current political situation of the country.

According to, party sources, Moriarty inquired with both party leaders about the ongoing agitation, government’s suppression, Maoist statement owing the strikes as their as well and the government’s claim about Maoist’s infiltration in the protest programmes of political parties.

Talking to journalists after meeting Bohara, Moriarty said, “We support the peaceful movement of political parties for democracy.”

Meanwhile, Poule Mastonen, charge d’ affairs at the Embassy of Finland, which chairs EU here also met Bohara and expressed the EU’s continued support for the democratic movement of Nepal. nepalnews.com pb Apr 13 06