Bush urges Nepal govt, Maoists to work together for successful polls

Kathmandu, Jan 24 (UNI) US President George W Bush has urged the Nepal government and Maoist rebels to work together for the April 10 Constituent Assembly (CA) elections.

''The United States encourages the government and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) to work together to ensure that CA elections are held by mid-April,'' President Bush said after receiving credentials from Nepalese Ambassador to the US Dr Suresh Raj Chalise at the White House on Tuesday.

''Nepal has undergone profound changes, moving from a monarchy to an emerging democracy with an emerging economy,'' Mr Bush was quoted as saying by a statement from the Embassy of Nepal in Washington DC.

The President appreciated the progress made by the government and the Nepali people in the ongoing transition to democracy and also commends Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala for his role in leading Nepal's political parties toward CA poll.

Mr Bush said the US would continue to work with the Himalayan nation and with the international community to create an environment conducive to peace there.

The US has still not removed the Maoists from its terrorist list.

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