Amidst controversy over his recent statement, US ambassador to Nepal James F. Moriarty met with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala at the latter’s residence at Baluwatar Saturday morning.
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala
Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala (File Photo)
After meeting the Prime Minister, ambassador Moriarty reiterated his stance that the US government would not be able to continue its support to Nepal should be Maoists join the government before renouncing violence.
He also suggested that the Maoists should first of all change their behavior rather than engaging in diplomatic meetings. “Instead of continuing their diplomatic parleys, the Maoists should change their conduct,” he said.
US ambassador to Nepal James F. Moriarty
US ambassador to Nepal James F. Moriarty (File Photo)
The US ambassador’s comment comes as the Maoists step up their meetings with representatives of foreign diplomatic missions in Kathmandu. Senior Maoist leader Dr Baburam Bhattrai and Maoist spokesperson and talks team leader Krishna Bahadur Mahara have already met with ambassadors of India and Sweden and have clarified their party’s position.
On Wednesday, Moriarty warned that his country might pull off its assistance to Nepal if the Maoists join the government before fully renouncing violence. The Maoist leadership has deplored his statement describing it as being as untimely and ill-intended.
Moriarty is leaving on a three-week long private visit to the US shortly.