British Foreign Office Minister urges Maoists to lay down arms

September 26, 2006
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British Foreign Office Minister Dr Kim Howells has urged the Maoists to lay down arms before participating in the peace process.

British Foreign Office Minister Dr Kim Howells

British Foreign Office Minister Dr Kim Howells (File Photo)
Talking to journalists at Tribhuvan International Airport, Dr Howells said there should be no more extortion, killing of people and attempts by the militants to manipulate the situation, according to reports.

“There should be political settlement. It should be ensured that everybody abides by the ceasefire and we must ensure that there is a proper long-term settlement that would ensure democracy,” he added.

He is being accompanied by the director of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Adam Thompson, in a four-day trip to Nepal for “encouraging” the ongoing peace process.

Asked about the conditions for the Maoist entry in the government, the minister said it was up to the Nepali people to decide what the future arrangement was going to be.

He is scheduled to meet the Prime Minister, Home Minister, Deputy PM Amik Sherchan, US ambassador to Nepal James F Moriarty and the Indian ambassador Shiv Shankar Mukherjee, today.

His visit comes at a time when the ruling seven party alliance and the Maoists are holding summit talks Thursday for giving momentum to the ongoing peace process.