US issues Nepal travel alert

Lalit K Jha

Washington, Jan 13 (PTI) Amid a political deadlock inNepal, the US has said it still considers CPN-Maoist party ledby Prachanda a global terrorist organisation and warned itscitizens of potential risks of travelling to the country inview of the security situation there.

"The US government''s designation of the CommunistParty of Nepal (Maoist) as a ''Specially Designated GlobalTerrorist'' organisation under Executive Order 13224, and itsinclusion on the ''Terrorist Exclusion List'' pursuant to theImmigration and Nationality Act, remain in effect," the StateDepartment said in a travel alert issued yesterday.

"These two designations make Maoists excludable fromentry into the United States without a waiver and bar UScitizens from contributing funds, goods, or services to, orfor the benefit of, the Maoists," it said.

Warning American nationals of the potential risks oftravelling to Nepal, the State Department said it remainsconcerned about the security situation in Nepal.

"US citizens are urged to obtain updated securityinformation before travelling and they should be prepared tochange their plans on short notice," it said.

It advised US citizens that the potential remains forspontaneous demonstrations and political unrest, which couldescalate into violence.

"You should stay current on media coverage of localevents and be aware of your surroundings at all times," itsaid.

The State Department spokesman also urged allpolitical parties in Nepal to resolve their differences.

Nepal is being run by a caretaker government for oversix months following Premier Madhav Kumar Nepal''s resignationunder intense Maoist pressure. So far, the ConstituentAssembly of the country has not been able to elect a new PrimeMinister.

"We are continuing to encourage the (Nepal) governmentto do everything it can to resolve the situation," P JCrowley, the State Department spokesman, told reporters at hisdaily news conference yesterday.