Nepal: US may review Maoists' terrorist status

Kathmandu, Apr 28: US Ambassador to Nepal James F Moriarty said his country was willing to review the Maoists' terrorist status if they renounce violence and join the political mainstream.

''Our action in tagging Maoists as terrorists was based on their deeds and action...if they change their actions and participate in the national mainstream we could review this staus,'' he told a private news channel here yesterday.

On the merger of the Royal Nepalese Army and the solution to the Maoist insurgency Mr Moriarty said that the Maoists' proposals to abolish the officers corps and then undergo the merger was a ''dangerous step'' and indicated that they wanted to seize control of the Army.

A few days back RNA chief General Pyar Jung Thapa had mentioned such a proposal (merger of Maoists with the Army) as measure to solve the insurgency.

However, the US envoy noted that there has been a long history of insurgencies ending followed by later merger of the insurgents into a country's regular armed forces, adding this was a reasonable step and could be done.

''The necessary formulas for such a process can be negotiated,'' he said adding that it was, however, necessary for the Maoists to declare their real intentions.

Answering the question on the Maoists' demand to abolish the monarchy and set up a Republic Mr Moriarty said if such a measure was decided through elections in a democratic framework the US would have no problem. ''US has been a Republic for over 200 years and we have no kings...it is upto the people of Nepal to decide in which direction they want to go.''

Earlier the US ambassador has told reporters that the Maoists should lay down weapons, renounce violence and disclose their real intentions to participate in the elections to the Constituent Assembly adding that the Constituent Assembly provided an ''excellent avenue'' to the Maoists to join the political mainstream.

''The biggest question is the Maoists' intention...two questions are still there: Will they actually renounce violence? Will they deal with the new Government?'' he said.

To a question on whether the US was ready to resume military assistance to Nepal, he said, they could do so if the Government makes a formal request. ''We have not received any formal request from the Government in this regard.''

UNI