US likely to remove Nepali Maoists from terror list

Kathmandu, May 6: The United States is considering to remove the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-M) from the list of terrorist organisations after its stunning performance in the Constituent Assembly (CA) elections.

''Preparation is on to remove the CPN (Maoist) from Washington's terrorism list,'' political and economic councilor Williams Al Martin at the US embassy here said, Kantipur reported. ''The US government will honour the people's verdict,'' he said, according to a statement issued by the Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC). He also expressed belief that the Maoists will alter their behaviour.

Erlier the US ambassador to Nepal, Nancy Powell had met with Maoist Chairman Prachanda at the latter's residence on May 1 where the Maoist Chief during the meeting suggested that the US government should remove the Maoists from its terrorist list.

US is also likely to pull out a 'negative travel advisory' about Nepal that lies posted on the State Department's website, Mr Williams informed while interacting with the office bearers of NCC.

UNI