US to provide $15 mn for peace in Nepal

Kathmandu, Sept 22: The United States has pledged 15 million dollars for the peace process in Nepal, according to the American Centre in Kathmandu.

''The US government, through USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI), is providing up to 15 million dollars over a period of two years in small grants and short term technical assistance to support the ongoing peace process,'' a statement issued by the American centre said.

USAID, the official US assistance arm, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of Nepal on September 15.

''The new assistance programme responds to Nepal's current political situation and the opportunity it presents to foster a positive transition in the country,'' the statement said.

The objective of the plan, according to the American Centre, is to ''increase access to information and diversify public debate on issues critical to the peace process and democratic norms; and to increase engagement among government, civil society, and communities to support government responsiveness to its diverse constituents.'' It said the USAID/OTI plans to initiate a fast, flexible programme to bolster the peace process, strengthen governance mechanisms, and support positive, non-violent community in Nepal's political social and economic future.

UNI