-US Ambassador James F. Moriarty, Nepal
Kathmandu: The newly accredited United States Ambassador to the Nepal Court, James F. Moriarty, in his maiden press conference held Tuesday afternoon has categorically stated that with the change of guards at the Embassy, the US policy towards Nepal will not change and that his country will continue to extend support to this Himalayan Kingdom as usual.
“I wish to see a peaceful, prosperous and democratic Nepal”, the Ambassador continued.
Talking on the US assistance to Nepal, Ambassador Moriarty made it abundantly clear that his country’s assistance on economic development of the country far exceeded the amount allocated for the security sector.
“In our assistance to Nepal, the Human Rights factor is always there and that we condemn both the government forces and the Maoists for their HR violations as and when they occur”, said the Ambassador.
As regards the India’s role in the Maoists issue, the US envoy did say that he saw India’s greater role for geopolitical reasons. He also said that the US administration has time and again reminded the Indian authorities to be of some support to Nepal in settling the overly stretched Maoists imbroglio.
“India now understands that Nepal’s Maoists issue does have its impact on their own security”, held the Ambassador.
Asked how the US will treat the Maoists of the Nepal establishment lifted the terrorist tag from the Maoists insurgency, the Ambassador said that the US would watch their activities seriously and then only can decide on how to take the changed insurgency?
“We have lost two of our staffs at the hands of the Maoists which forces us to have a comfortable distance with them”, added Moriarty.
To a query on Chinese stance on the Maoists, Ambassador Moriarty opined that he had the knowledge that Chinese were avoiding making any overtures that might complicate the Maoists issue.
“All constitutional forces must come together in order to press the Maoists to come to the table”, concluded Ambassador Moriarty.
” Ma Nepalma Shanti Ra Prajatantra Sthapit Bhayeko Dekhna Chanchu”, is what Moriarty said in Nepali.