US welcomes Nepal King's offer

Washington, Apr 22 : The United States has welcomed Nepal King Gyanendra's announcement allowing the seven political parties to form a government in the Himalayan kingdom, and called on the parties to respond quickly by choosing a Prime Minister and a Cabinet.

''The people of Nepal deserve a democratic government that can return stability and peace to their country. We urge all sides to refrain from violence to allow the restoration of democracy to take place swiftly and peacefully,'' US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said yesterday after the king invited the political parties to recommend the name of a Prime Minister.

He said, ''King Gyanendra's message today made clear that sovereignty resides with the people. We expect the King to live up to his words, and allow the parties to form a government.'' Mr McCormack also praised the Nepalese people for their courageous struggle to re-establish democracy.

Pro-democracy demonstrations have brought tens of thousands of Nepalese into the streets, and a general strike has brought parts of the country's economy to a standstill. At least 14 protesters have been killed in clashes with state security forces over the past 16 days.

King Gyanendra sparked the political crisis in the mountainous nation in February, 2005, when he dissolved the democratic government, seized absolute power and imprisoned numerous political leaders.

Since that time, the international community has called on the king to initiate a dialogue with the country's seven political parties and restore the democratic process.

However, the Major political parties, civil society, Maoists and the demonstrators have rejected the king's offer saying his statement has failed to address their minimum agenda.

UNI

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