maoist_revolution
27th June 2005, 09:13
The US should stay out of it.
US envoy to discuss Nepal crisis
By Sushil Sharma
BBC News, Kathmandu
The king assumed direct control in February
US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia, Donald Camp, is in Nepal on a two-day visit to discuss the political crisis in the country.
He is due to meet senior officials of the royalist government and top opposition leaders.
Mr Camp is the second senior US official to visit Nepal in less than two months.
Assistant Secretary of State, Christina Rocca, visited the conflict-torn nation in early May.
Mr Camp's visit is taking place amidst a widening rift between the king and the mainstream political parties.
The US says that such a rift would benefit the Maoist rebels who oppose the monarchy and parliamentary democracy.
The king and the political parties have been at loggerheads since the monarch sacked a coalition, seized direct powers and imposed restrictions on civil liberties in February.
The king defended his action, saying that it was necessary to tackle the insurgency in which 12,000 people have died.
The US described the royal move as a setback to democracy and subsequently suspended military assistance.
It said the royal take-over would undermine the fight against the rebellion.
The US has been urging the king and the parties to reconcile their differences which it says is crucial to deal with the insurgency and restore democracy.
The deputy assistant secretary of state is expected to re-emphasise reconciliation of the monarchy and the political parties.
US envoy to discuss Nepal crisis
By Sushil Sharma
BBC News, Kathmandu
The king assumed direct control in February
US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia, Donald Camp, is in Nepal on a two-day visit to discuss the political crisis in the country.
He is due to meet senior officials of the royalist government and top opposition leaders.
Mr Camp is the second senior US official to visit Nepal in less than two months.
Assistant Secretary of State, Christina Rocca, visited the conflict-torn nation in early May.
Mr Camp's visit is taking place amidst a widening rift between the king and the mainstream political parties.
The US says that such a rift would benefit the Maoist rebels who oppose the monarchy and parliamentary democracy.
The king and the political parties have been at loggerheads since the monarch sacked a coalition, seized direct powers and imposed restrictions on civil liberties in February.
The king defended his action, saying that it was necessary to tackle the insurgency in which 12,000 people have died.
The US described the royal move as a setback to democracy and subsequently suspended military assistance.
It said the royal take-over would undermine the fight against the rebellion.
The US has been urging the king and the parties to reconcile their differences which it says is crucial to deal with the insurgency and restore democracy.
The deputy assistant secretary of state is expected to re-emphasise reconciliation of the monarchy and the political parties.