The U.S. Embassy said Thursday: “Unfortunately, continued political turmoil and violent street demonstrations even after the cease-fire have dampened thus far the expected rebound in U.S. tourism. The achievement of peace and political stability are the keys to re-establishing Nepal as a place safe for tourists.”

The Embassy said 40,000 Americans visited Nepal in 2000 but arrivals fell to 16,000 in 2002.

“…threats and violence over the past two years from members of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) have caused a dramatic decline in U.S. and other international visitors,” the Embassy said.

The Embassy added trekkers being assaulted, robbed at gunpoint, bombings, murders, forced bandhs (closures) and indiscriminate armed attacks through the country have “damaged severely Nepal’s reputation as a safe tourist destination,” the Embassy said.

“Anti-American rhetoric and direct threats against the American Mission in Nepal have been especially alarming to potential American tourists, conventioneers and investors,” the Embassy added.

Maoists have directly accused Washington of trying to derail the peace process. nepalnews.com br July 10