Newly appointed head of the US State Department’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Richard Boucher has said that Nepal’s present political turmoil would be addressed if the king steps back to the position prior to February 1.

US State Department’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Richard Boucher.
(Photo source : fpc.state.gov)

During his speech to the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee in the US Congress on February 16, Boucher spoke about the challenging issues in dealing with each of the countries of the region including Nepal.

The success of US foreign policy in South and Central Asia is “critically important” to US economic and security interests, he added.

Referring to US policy in Nepal, Broucher said, “We also face a difficult situation in Nepal,” adding, “We believe Nepal’s internal struggle can only be addressed by the King taking steps to reverse the course he embarked on over a year ago – last February 1st – and to return to democratic government.”

“Many of the world’s most difficult threats are found in this region: narcotics, terrorism, corruption, weapons proliferation, HIV/AIDS, failing institutions, ethnic strife, stunted economies and natural disasters. But, the people of this region also enjoy tremendous potential, in each of the countries individually as well as through regional cooperation in energy, education, transportation and trade. There is a generation of young people across the region with unprecedented dreams and, if given the chance to use their talents productively, they can create enormous benefits for themselves and for others around the world, “ he added.

The US has been critical of the king on his coup and the political parties on forming alliance with the Maoists rebels for restoration of democratic government in Nepal. US Ambassador in Kathmandu recently said that the seven parties should end the agreement with the rebels and begin the process of reconciliation with the king.

Boucher was sworn in as the Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs on Feb 21 replacing Christina Rocca, according to the US State Department website.