| Submit your comments on this article |
| India-Pakistan |
| Nepal wants UN monitors despite Maoist calls |
| 2006-07-02 |
| KATHMANDU: Nepal will ask the United Nations to monitor Maoist rebels and the army ahead of elections for an assembly to map out the country's political future, the home minister said on Saturday. "Without the United Nations involved, the Nepali people will have no confidence in the arms monitoring process," Krishna Prasad Sitaula told Reuters. Sitaula's comments came a day after Maoist leaders including rebel chief Prachanda said, in an apparent turnaround, that there was no need for arms monitors from outside. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #1 Additionally, the US warns Nepal it could cut off millions of dollars in annual aid to Nepal if communist rebels join the proposed interim government without disarming. "If the Maoists continue to use violence after they enter the government our law says that we can't supply assistance to those who support a terrorist group. We have to consider them a consider a terrorist group until they give up arms," U.S. Ambassador to Nepal James F. Moriarty said. The U.S. gives Nepal $45 million in annual aid for development, education and health services. It had provided the government with millions more in military aid to help it fight the Maoists, but suspended it after Gyanendra seized power last year. The rebels took up arms in 1996 demanding a "people's republic" to replace the monarchy and championing Nepal's poor. They plunged the Himalayan kingdom into a conflict that killed 13,000 people and devastated the tourism-based economy. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2006-07-02 15:24 |