The US ambassador to Nepal, James F Moriarty, has said that reconciliation between legitimate constitutional forces (King and the political parties) is the only viable solution for the present political stalemate in the country.

US Ambassador to Nepal, James F Moriarty, speaking in the talk program “Nepal’s Political Crisis: A Look Back, A Look Forward”, jointly organised by the Ganesh Man Singh Academy and The American Center, Wednesday, Feb 15 06. nepalnews.com/rh

US Ambassador to Nepal, James F Moriarty, speaking in the talk program “Nepal’s…
Addressing a talk program entitled, “Nepal’s Political Crisis: A Look Back, A Look Forward”, he said that Maoists are gaining from the polarization between King and the political parties and urged all legitimate constitutional forces to find consensus with good faith.

He described the one-year direct rule of the King as a total failure and said, “Twelve months of palace rule have only made the situation more precarious, emboldened the Maoists insurgents, and widened the division between the country’s political parties and the King.”

“Without real progress between the two legitimate political forces, the Maoists will only continue to gain advantage- in the countryside, among people of goodwill tired of the King-parties standoff, and among others who desperately believe, or want to believe, that the insurgents will shed their ideological stripe and join the political mainstream, ” he added.

Stating that the goals mentioned by the King in his royal takeover were not fulfilled, Ambassador Moriarty said, “Now it’s true that when the King took power last year, many were hopeful that the goals he cited for his action would be achieved. They were not. The international community recognizes this, as do many patriotic Nepalese citizens.”

He reiterated that the recently conclude municipal polls was a hollow exercise saying elections held without participation of mainstream political parties keeps no meaning.

He urged the King to initiate dialogue with the political parties to resolve the problem dogging the country. “To establish a foundation of trust, the United States believes it is up to the King to initiate the dialogue, assuring the major political parties and the Nepalese people that the monarchy is serious about returning democracy and peace in Nepal,” Moriarty said, adding, “Once such as opening occurs, sooner rather than later, I hope we urge the political parties to respond and enter talks in good faith.”

He further said that Maoists are not committed to peace and democracy and added that recent statements of the Maoists leadership prove that they reached 12-point agreement with the political parties for their benefit only.

“At first glance there seems much about the 12-point understanding that is hopeful. But the United States views the uneasy partnership between the parties and the Maoists as wrongheaded. We believe cooperation along current lines between the Maoists and the parties is fraught with danger for the political parties themselves and for the future of the Nepalese people,” he added.

He categorically refuted that forming parallel government of the Maoists and political parties will resolve the crisis dogging the country and added that it will push the country into crisis.

He expressed dissatisfaction over the recent comments of Maoist leadership on forming a common army for the constituent assembly, parallel government and comments about the Monarchy.

He also said that Maoists are not following the basic operating guidelines of the donor agencies. Moriarty also made it clear that there is no change in US policy regarding the Maoists in that they are terrorists and creating terror to the people.

Moriarty further said, “The United States, for one, would look eagerly for ways to assist a new Nepal government that respects and supports democracy, human rights and freedom. This could also include renewing assistance for the Royal Nepalese Army.”

The US along with other donor countries stalled arms assistance to Nepal following the February 1 royal takeover terming the move as setback to democracy.