Barry F Lowenkron, US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, Sunday said that the US stance on the Maoists has not changed yet.
“One cannot have ballots and bullets in a democratic process,” he said, adding: “Intimidation and violence have no role whatsoever in the democratic process of any country. Nothing justifies the use of violence as a legitimate political tool.”
“The peace agreement contains clear commitments that are yet to be honoured by the Maoists,” he said, addressing a press briefing.
“The US strongly supports Nepal’s peace process and democratic development,” he said, adding, “We will do what we can to help ensure the success of the peace process.”
He urged the government to listen to the people before taking major political decisions. “We hope that the political parties and the government will find ways to listen to the voices of all of Nepal’s people and bring them into an inclusive, peaceful and democratic society.”
Responding to a query, he said that the US will support the Nepali people’s decision on monarchy. “The US has nothing special to say about the monarchy. It is up to the Nepali people to decide whether they want to keep the king or not.”
Praising Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala for his role in securing an agreement among the parties on the date for the constituent assembly elections, he said, “We now urge the interim government to draft and pass necessary election laws and ensure security across the country.
Elections are the heart of democracy, and the Nepali people deserve the opportunity to have their voices heard through free and fair elections later this year,” he said.
Lowenkron said he also called for the appointment of commissioners in the National Human Rights Commission. “Like all commissions in democracies, the NHRC must be truly independent,” he said.
The US is ready to support Nepal over Bhutanese refugees, he said, but refused to comment on India’s possible role on repatriation.
Lowenkron has met government officials, leaders of political parties, human rights activists, and representatives of civil society with the objective of reviewing the ongoing developments in Nepal.
In the first phase of talks, the government and the Madhesi People’s Rights Forum (MPRF) Friday reached in an agreement to fulfill one half of the 26-point demands put forth by the Forum.
The demands that have been met by the government team include forming State Restructuring Commission; declaring those killed during Madhes agitation as martyrs; providing compensation to families of the dead; and providing relief and treatment to those injured during the agitation.
Likewise, the government side also agreed to carry on dialogue to seek help of UN technical team in their further talks; drop charges against MPRF leaders; ensure access of Madhesis, Dalits, women, Janjatis and backward people to all organs and levels of the state; and proportionate distribution of resources. They also agreed on demands like returning seized properties by the Maoists; ensuring industrial security and declaring date for Constituent Assembly elections soon.
After the talks, MPRF president Upendra Yadav expressed happiness over the manner in which the negotiations were proceeding. He said the talks were very positive.
Yadav added that political issues will be raised in next round of talks. "Issues like autonomous Madhes province, right to self determination and census will be taken up on next round of talks," he said.
The talks had continued from 2 pm till 9:30 pm on Friday at the meeting hall of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) in Janakpur amid tight security. Future talks are expected to be held in Birgunj and Biratnagar.
The government talks team was led by Peace and Reconstruction Minister Ram Chandra Poudel and the MPRF team was led by its chairman Upendra Yadav. Poudel's team also comprised two state ministers, Gyanendra Karki and Ram Chandra Yadav. The MPRF talks team comprised its coordinator Sitanandan Raya, Mohammed Nasir Siddiqui and Kishor Biswas.
The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) Thursday paid Rs 1 billion to Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), following which the Indian supplier said it would resume normal supplies immediately.
The state-run petroleum supply monopolist, NOC made the payment to the sole supplier of fuel after the Ministry of Finance (MoF) released the said amount on Thursday.
Ichha Bikram Thapa, spokesperson of NOC, confirmed that the corporation on Thursday cleared IOC dues for the months of April and May and made advance payment of Rs 240 million each for June and July, as per the bilateral agreement of paying additional Rs 240 million each month to settle the previous outstanding.
According to Thapa, NOC on Thursday deposited the amount at the IOC's account with the Standard Chartered Bank. "With this payment, petroleum supply is expected to become normal to some extent," he said. He, however, said that this is not a permanent solution, as NOC is still incurring a loss of over Rs 254.8 million every month.
Last week NOC had also disclosed that IOC has tightened the supply of petroleum products following its failure to clear the outstanding dues as well as monthly import bills for the last two months. Earlier, NOC had committed to paying an additional Rs 240 million every month along with monthly import bills to settle past dues.
As of mid-May, the NOC's total liabilities have crossed Rs 10 billion, the largest chunk being with IOC which accounts for Rs 5.955 billion and Rs 4.44 billion for domestic financial institutions.
Last week, the corporation also stated that the government is now left with two options, either to provide Rs 500 million support to NOC to ensure regular supply or immediately adjust petroleum prices.
According to figures provided by NOC, the corporation is incurring monthly losses of Rs 55.7 million on petrol, Rs 120.5 million on diesel, Rs 144.3 million on LP Gas and Rs 47 million on kerosene. The only profit making product is air turbine fuel (ATF) that stands at Rs 112.8 million a month.
Life across the nation has been crippled due to a bandh (general strike) called by various ethnic groups led by Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NFIN) to observe June 1 as ‘Black Day’ in memory of a ruling by the Supreme Court nine years ago to ban the use of local language as formal language in local bodies.
They have announced a nationwide bandh Friday in protest of the high court’s decision.
Market places, education institutions and industries remained closed all over the country.
All public transportation remained off the road in the Valley, while press vehicles, ambulances and blue plated vehicles could be seen in the roads. Only a few shops in some inner places of the Valley were open. Many people could be seen walking in the roads heading towards their destinations.
Eastern districts like Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Dhankuta, Saptari, Dhanusha, Illam, Taplejung, Paanchthar, Sankhwasabha, Ramechap and Sinduli remain completely shut.
Western districts like Butwal, Pokhara, Birgunj, Narayangarh, Nepalgunj and Dhangadi are also affected by the bandh.
All vehicular movement has also been restricted by the agitators in the capital.
Meanwhile, the police have informed that no untoward incident has occurred anywhere in the country due to the strike.
Barry F Lowenkron, US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, Sunday said that the US stance on the Maoists has not changed yet.
