The US envoy, who arrived in Kathmandu just six days ago, said that street protests were no substitute for political dialogue, and urged the UCPN-M to keep such protests within the "bound of normal political process". [break]
DeLisi made the remarks at his maiden press conference at the US embassy after meeting political leaders and taking stock of Nepal´s political situation and the peace process.
"We urge all parties in the days ahead to show both restraint and good judgment in how they approach their efforts to advance the political process," DeLisi said.
Saying that Nepal´s political process was at a critical juncture, the US career diplomat further cautioned political leaders that it would be a shame if the peace process broke down.
Expressing his concern over Maoist protests, the US ambassador said, "Large demonstrations always have the potential to become confrontational or be the occasion for provocation."
DeLesi had met Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Wednesday before the press conference and raised US concern over the Maoists´ upcoming protests. The Maoists have announced anti-government protests starting from May 1.
"We recognize all political parties and all the people have the right to peacefully protest to express their political views. We, of course, support that. I noted, however, that we hope this will be peaceful and within the bounds of normal political process," the US ambassador said when asked about the issues he discussed with Dahal.
He said he urged Dahal to take into account the potential incidents when thousands of people take to the streets during the Maoist protests, and to be responsible. He also urged the government to be equally responsible if such protests do take place.
Dahal and DeLisi also discussed about the Maoists being taken off the US State Department´s list of international terrorist organizations.
"We touched upon [the issue of taking the Maoists off the list]. We had many discussions about this already. I think that the Maoist leadership should know what our concerns are and what steps are needed," the ambassador said. "We are prepared to continue to engage more discussions on that issue."
After the meeting, Maoists said the US is ready to remove them from the US terrorist list. “The US is ready to remove the party from the terrorist list,” Maoist spokesperson Dinanath Sharma said.
The Maoists have been requesting the US to take them off the terrorist list since they joined the peace process in 2006. The last time Dahal reiterated his request was during the visit here of US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Patrick Moon in January.
The US has set conditions for the Maoists if they wish to see themselves taken off the terrorist list. The condition include: renouncing violence, demonstrated commitment to the peace process, ending violence by the YCL and its reform and providing facts about the killing of two US mission staffers and the American Center bombing during the conflict period.
Asked whether the Maoists replied to the conditions, DeLisi said,"They have not formally replied. We have been told a response will be coming soon."
He said that US concerns in Nepal were democracy, the peace process, development, rule of law and human rights.
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