US ambassador James F. Moriarty’s call for reconciliation among the constitutional forces has become a topic of hot debate while the country is seeking a clear roadmap for restoration of peace and political stability.
US envoy to Nepal James F. Moriarty
US envoy to Nepal James F. Moriarty (File Photo)
A day after the ambassador’s remarks, three media forums – Reporters’ Club, Sambad Club and Sanchar Samuha – in the capital, Kathmandu, concurrently organized talk programme on the issue where political leaders and commentators expressed mixed reactions.
Speaking at Sanchar Samuha on Thursday, Minister of State for Health Mani Lama urged foreign diplomats to express dignified comments only. “The king’s roadmap is the only way for peace,” he asserted.
At the Reporters’ Club the same day, opposition leaders took the US envoy’s remarks with a pinch of salt. Joint general secretary of Nepali Congress Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat asked if the US envoy could provide what he called “a faithful framework of reconciliation among the constitutional forces” at a time when the King had taken direct control of the government. CPN (UML) leader K. P. Oli, however, called US position as ‘positive’ for peace building initiatives in the country.
The state-run The Rising Nepal daily quoted former ambassador, Prof. Mohan P. Lohani, as saying that parties-Maoist alliance was unnatural and therefore would prove to be disastrous.
UML leader, Bam Dev Gautam, in his lead article in Kantipur daily on Friday claimed that restoration of democracy in Nepal was not the priority of US. He said that US ambassador failed to respect aspirations of the Nepalis and political parties in the country.
Two leading private sector dailies also commented on Mr. Moriarty’s latest statement. In its editorial entitled “American Paranoia” on Friday, The Kathmandu Post said (Moriarty) missed the basic point – peace is impossible in Nepal without taking the Maoists on board. “No one should ignore the reality that the parties signed the understanding with the rebels to bring them into the political mainstream and to give peace a chance,” it added.
Describing the US envoy’s remarks as ‘based on reality,’ Nepal Samacharpatra daily said, “Though some people might find it bitter, the reality is that way out for resolving the problems facing the country will initiate only from the dialogue between the parties and the king.”
Addressing a talk programme in the capital on Wednesday, the US envoy said that reconciliation between legitimate constitutional forces (that is, the King and the political parties) was the only viable solution to end the long-running political stalemate (in Nepal).
“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.
The seven party opposition alliance and the underground Maoist rebels had entered into a 12-point pact in New Delhi to end what they called “autocratic monarchy” in November last year. The opposition parties have said there was no probability of holding talks with the monarch unless he gives up his absolute powers.
“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,” said the US envoy, adding, “Once such opening occurs, sooner rather than later, we urge the political parties to respond and enter talks in good faith,” he added.