Addressing a press conference in the capital Monday, Blake said, “Nepal has come a long way since the conclusion of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The priority now must be on permanent peace and consensus building on integration and constitution-writing.”[break]
He further said that the main purpose of his visit is to urge the political parties to work together to conclude the peace process.
He informed that he was assured by UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal during his meeting with the latter that the May 1 demonstrations will be peaceful.
“Maoists will be judged by their actions not words,” Blake answered to a question on why US has not taken the Maoists out of the terrorist list.
He said that the US has a “productive relation” with the Nepal Army, but it has put a ban on military aid as US is keen that both the NA and the Maoists abide by the human rights law and show “accountability” toward the human rights cases of the war days.
Blake stressed that from his meeting with the prime mnister, Dahal and leaders of other major parties, he believed that the parties are “thinking creatively” on integration and rehabilitation of combatants. He informed that the US government is ready to support vocational training programs for the disqualified Maoist combatants.
As for UNMIN, Blake said that there is yet no consensus among the parties in Nepal on the extension of UNMIN´s term.
Pointing at the gloomy investment climate in Nepal, Blake said, “Political instability, absence of peace process, electricity shortage, labor problems and others in Nepal discourage US private sector investment at present.” He added, “Unless parties reach an agreement on peace process not much investment can be expected.”
He, however, informed that the USAID has launched a new program called Nepal Economic, Agricultural and Training Initiative designed to help Nepal to expand exports of products other than garments like cardamom, oil, etc.
Blake also said that it is in top priority of the US to help stop trafficking of women and children. This, he said, was discussed at length at his meeting with the prime minister.
During the meeting Monday, Prime Minister Nepal is said to have stressed on consensus. “It is not possible to conclude the peace process without consensus and cooperation among the parties. After accepting multi-party democracy, all must embrace democratic values and principles. I am ready to accept any conclusion that emerges from this process.”
Blake arrived in the capital Sunday and will be leaving for Thimphu, Bhutan, Tuesday to attend the 16th SAARC summit as an observer.
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