Commander of US Pacific Command, Admiral William J Fallon has said that the political division between the King and the political parties has encouraged the Maoist insurgents.

The Commander of US Pacific Command, Admiral William J. Fallon, calls on Foreign Minister, Ramesh Nath Pandey, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sheetal Niwas, Kathmandu, Wednesday, Feb 01 06. (Photo courtesy: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Upon completion of his 24-hour long visit to Nepal to convey serious concern by the US Government at the situation in Nepal, including both the threat posed by the Maoist insurgency and the King’s decision just one year ago to sideline Nepal’s political parties and establish rule from the palace, he urged all parties with a common interest in a stable and peaceful Nepal to sit together to discuss and agree on a way forward to establish a truly participatory government.

He further said, “Reconciliation between the King and the parties is not only indispensable to bring back democracy but also to effectively address the insurgency by the Maoists, which given their continued use of violence, could not be viewed as a legitimate political actor,”

A press statement issued by the US Embassy in Kathmandu, Admiral Fallon met with the King, senior Army officers, political party leaders, and civil society, and also visited RNA troops and facilities in some areas of the country.

Admiral Fallon also met Foreign Minister Ramesh Nath Pandey and Home Minister Kamal Thapa on Wednesday.

Talking to journalists after the meeting, Foreign Minister Pandey said that talks were held to expand the existing ties and to expand areas of cooperation between the two friendly nations.

According to Minister Pandey, Admiral Fallon appreciated His Majesty’s address to the Nation.

During the talks, Fallon was also briefed about the current situation in Nepal, Pandey said. “The talk was gratifying and it should contribute in expanding the understanding between the nations,” he added.