Though pro-democracy activists across the country continue to take out rallies denouncing Friday’s royal proclamation, international community have taken King Gyanendra’s address in a positive note and have welcomed it.
In a statement issued hours after the royal proclamation, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan welcomed the proclamation that affirmed that executive power will be returned to the Nepali people.
A UN spokesman said Mr. Annan hoped that the development “will result in the speedy restoration of democratic order, an end to the conflict and the establishment of lasting peace through an inclusive process of dialogue.”
In a statement released in New York on Friday, the spokesman also stressed that the parties must “work out the modalities for the transfer of power in a timely, orderly and responsible manner.”
UN human rights monitors have condemned deadly police force against unarmed pro-democracy demonstrators in Nepal, reporting over a dozen gunshot injuries on Thursday.
Similarly, the European Union welcomed the royal announcement saying it hoped this would restore stability.
“We hope this opens the path to a peaceful process in Nepal and to a situation of renewed stability and dialogue,” a spokesman for the EU Austrian Presidency said in Brussels on Friday.
The Presidency had earlier condemned Nepalese authorities for opening fire on demonstrators to suppress the protests, saying this marked a watershed in the crisis. “The Presidency of the EU roundly condemns the use of these and other excessive measures by government forces to curb pro-democracy protests,” it said, adding that a long curfew had aggravated the already difficult lives of ordinary people.
The United States and Canada have also welcomed the royal proclamation of Friday.
In a statement issued Friday, Seam McCormack, spokesman of the US State Department, said, “The United States salutes the people of Nepal’s courage and resilience in their struggle for democracy. We are pleased that King Gyanendra’s message today made clear that sovereignty resides with the people. We expect the King to live up to his words, and allow the parties to form a government.”
The US has urged the parties to respond quickly by choosing a prime minister and a cabinet. “The people of Nepal deserve a democratic government that can return stability and peace to their country. We urge all sides to refrain from violence to allow the restoration of democracy to take place swiftly and peacefully,” the statement added.
Similarly, in a statement issued Friday, Foreign Affairs Minister of Canda, Peter MacKay, said, “Canada welcomes King Gyanendra’s offer to hand over power to the seven-party alliance. The fact that he has invited the seven parties to name a prime minister represents an important and welcome concession that we hope will pave the way to a democratic, constitutional system of government in Nepal. We hope that the King’s gesture will help bring an end to the political unrest and violence we’ve seen in Nepal over the past several weeks, re-establish democracy and human rights, and lead to national reconciliation.
“Canada urges the seven‑party alliance to work together and refrain from violence during this delicate transition period to help return stability to the country,” Minister MacKay said.
Nepal’s southern neighbour, India, has also welcomed the royal proclamation and expressed hope that parties would come forward to form a new government. nepalnews.com by Apr 22 06