December 15, 2005: Headlines: Figures: COS - Nepal: Politics: Congress: Gorkhapatra: Congressman James Walsh said that the Maoist revolution in Nepal is a bad thing as there can be no private army in democracy, adding that dialogues with the Maoists would be possible only if they lay down their weapons
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December 15, 2005: Headlines: Figures: COS - Nepal: Politics: Congress: Gorkhapatra: Congressman James Walsh said that the Maoist revolution in Nepal is a bad thing as there can be no private army in democracy, adding that dialogues with the Maoists would be possible only if they lay down their weapons
Congressman James Walsh said that the Maoist revolution in Nepal is a bad thing as there can be no private army in democracy, adding that dialogues with the Maoists would be possible only if they lay down their weapons
Walsh, who was involved in the peace process of Northern Ireland, said that US policy vis-à-vis Nepal has always been consistent and that he wanted to see a democratic and peaceful Nepal. “But we can’t force for that to happen.” Congressman James Walsh of New York served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Nepal in the 1960's.
Congressman James Walsh said that the Maoist revolution in Nepal is a bad thing as there can be no private army in democracy, adding that dialogues with the Maoists would be possible only if they lay down their weapons
US: Talks possible only if rebels give up arms
By A Staff Reporter
KATHMANDU, Dec. 15: The United States of America has reiterated that the Maoists are terrorists, and the constitutional forces can hold dialogues with them only if the rebels lay down their arms.
Speaking via digital videoconference from Washington D. C, Stephen J. Blake, Director of the South Asia Bureau’s Office of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Bhutan Affairs at the Department of State, said that the Maoists are terrorists because they continue their atrocious activities like kidnapping and extortion even during the period of cease-fire they declared. “They have a poor track record of human rights violations.”
Congressman James Walsh (R), another speaker in the discussion on “Congress, US Foreign Policy and Nepal” organised by the American Center at the American Library this evening, said that the Maoist revolution in Nepal is a bad thing as there can be no private army in democracy, adding that dialogues with the Maoists would be possible only if they lay down their weapons.
Both Walsh and Blake had been in Nepal for some time in the past and are aware of geo-political and socio-economic situations of Nepal. Walsh was a Peace Corps volunteer from 1970-72 and visited Nepal many other times later and Blake served as a consular officer at the US Embassy in Kathmandu from 1994-1996.
Expressing concern about Nepal’s present political situation, they suggested all the concerned to come together to hammer out solutions to the crises.
Walsh, who was involved in the peace process of Northern Ireland, said that US policy vis-à-vis Nepal has always been consistent and that he wanted to see a democratic and peaceful Nepal. “But we can’t force for that to happen.”
Stating that the United States does not dictate policies in any country, he said it is the Nepalese people who can decide what they want.
Responding to a query whether it is peace or democracy that America wants to see restored in Nepal, he said both peace and democracy go hand in hand.
Blake suggested to first solve the current political problem that would give constitutional forces strength to deal with the Maoists.
Stating that President George Bush has placed high priority on democracy and human rights in the world, he said that the present US government is trying to find the best way forward.
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Story Source: Gorkhapatra
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