Donald Camp addressing a press conference held at US Ambassador James F Moriarty’s residence in Kathmandu

US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs, Donald Camp, who wrapped up his two-day visit to Kathmandu today (Thursday), said he saw no possibility of early breakthrough in the current political deadlock in Nepal.

“We do not have assurances [from the King] that there will be a breakthrough. I can’t express optimism but I am hopeful,” Camp told journalists during a press briefing organised at US ambassador James F. Moriarty’s residence in Kathmandu at the end of his visit.

Camp, who arrived in Kathmandu for the second time since the February 1, 2005, royal move, received an audience with the King in Pokhara on Wednesday and held discussions with various political leaders including Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala.

He said that during the audience with the King he brought the message of US President George W Bush to the latter that he “should reach out to the political parties to restore democratic institution” as well as to address the Maoist insurgency.

“I have brought the President’s message to the King,” he said, informing that he explained to the King about the position of the US over Nepal.. He, however, refused to divulge the details of what transpired between him and the monarch during their meeting in Pokhara.

The top US official also called on Foreign Minister Ramesh Nath Pandey at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shital Niwas Thursday afternoon.

Talking to journalists after the meeting, Minister Pandey said that communication between Nepal and the United States of America has become cordial and effective with the visit of the top US official and that it has become easier to comprehend each other’s views.

Foreign Minister Pandey said that he presented in clear terms His Majesty the King’s call through the messages to the nation on February 1 and on February 19 to all the political parties to come for dialogue for establishment of peace and democracy in the country.

He also informed that he and Mr. Camp held talks on bilateral interest and various topics of mutual concern.

Camp also met Nepali Congress (NC) president Koirala and discussed the current political situation of the country.

The US representative, who was barred from meeting CPN (UML) leader Madhav Kumar Nepal who has been placed under house arrest since January 20, met UML acting general secretary Amrit Kumar Bohara and standing committee member Bharat Mohan Adhikari and K P Sharma Oli.

Emerging from the meeting, Bohara said they discussed the current political situation of the country, particularly the movement of the seven-party alliance and a joint rally scheduled for April 8.

Camp also called on former Prime Minister and president of NC (Democratic) Sher Bahadur Deuba at Deuba’s residence in Budanilkantha.

Talking to journalists after the meeting Deuba said they discussed about the current political situation of the country.

The US representative also met with Chief of Army Staff Pyar Jung Thapa and some representatives of civil society.

A press statement issued by the visiting US representative said. “I have reiterated my President’s message in all my meetings here in Nepal. We firmly believe that the Maoists must abandon violence and the King must reach out and reconcile with the parties if we are to see a peaceful, prosperous, and democratic Nepal.”Reminding of the US view over the recent civil polls as a “hollow exercise”, Camp said the proposed parliamentary elections next year would not be different than that of the recent one if the political parties were not involved in it.

Commenting on the 12-point ‘understanding’ between the seven-party alliance and the Maoists, Camp said he was sceptical about the Maoists’ intention but the agreement could be laudable “should that [12-point understanding] work out”.

He added that the US would not hesitate labelling the Maoists as terrorists as long as they continued violence activities.

Camp also expressed concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in Nepal since the royal move. “It’s a deteriorating human rights situation. King’s February 1 move contributed to the deterioration.”

The US representative, who was barred from meeting CPN (UML) leader Madhav Kumar Nepal who has been placed under house arrest the last few months, expressed hope that the government would release Nepal and other political detainees soon. “We certainly continue to hope that Nepal and other political leaders will be released.”

Camp was supposed to leave Kathmandu this evening.