Ordinance on media threat to democracy: British envoy

October 19, 2005
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British ambassador to Nepal, Keith G. Bloomfield, has said that his government would never support any law that aimed at controlling the press anywhere, including in Nepal.

Talking to reporters during the `tea reception’ organised by the CPN (UML) at its party headquarters on Tuesday, the British envoy said the new media ordinance introduced by the Nepali government was a threat to democracy.

Saying that the British government has always stood in favour of press freedom and democracy, envoy Bloomfield said, “We don’t like it.” We can’t support any move to control the press,” he added.

Media reports quoted the British envoy as saying that the UK was concerned about the security situation, which hampers elections. The recent visit of the European Union Troika has also made its position clear about it, he added.

Addressing a press meet at the end of the three-day visit to Nepal early this month, leader of the EU Troika mission, Tom Phillips, warned that (the EU was greatly concerned that) unless all involved moved quickly to address the country’s problems effectively, there was a strong risk of political collapse in Nepal. He said the failure of the constitutional forces in Nepal could lead to a real breakdown of government institutions.

Nepali authorities have refrained from making any comments on the observation of the EU troika.