“We urge the Maoists to work constructively with other parties to move the peace process forward,” State Department spokesman Mark Toner told journalists during a daily press briefing in Washington on Wednesday.
The official remarks of the US State Department comes in the wake of the fresh political turmoil in the aftermath of the former rebel party´s announcement of fourth round of indefinite protest programs starting January 24.
Noting that the United Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) had just ended a violent three-day nation-wide general strike, Toner said these strikes do little to build consensus in the country.
Meanwhile, US Senator Patrick Leahy, who once wanted to see the Maoist removed from the State Department´s designated terrorist organizations, has urged the Maoists to stop committing acts of violence and extortion against civilians, respect human rights, and work to improve the lives of the Nepali people through the political process.
Speaking at Senate floor on Wednesday, Leahy said it was disheartening that the Maoists continue to engage in tactics that serve little purpose but to make the lives of the Nepali people, already difficult, even harder.
Referring to the Maoists´ announcement of indefinite general strike if the government didn´t put in place a unity government headed by the Maoists within a month, Leahy said, this kind of ultimatum, which has no place in a democracy, would be disturbing enough if it were not for the fact that the Maoists headed a coalition government last year after winning national elections, only to leave the government in May when it failed to replace the then Army Chief of Staff.
“Three and a half years ago the Nepali people rose up against a corrupt, abusive monarchy and demanded something better. They are still waiting, but they will not wait forever. Like Nepal´s other political parties, the Maoists will be judged by what they deliver,” Leahy said.
Underscoring the need to bring about reforms in the Nepali Army, Leahy further said, “Today, in fact, Nepal has a new Army Chief. Time will tell if he is the right person for the job.”
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