KATHMANDU: International community has expressed its concern about Nepal’s sluggish progress over the constitution writing process. Robert O Blake, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs of the United States, stated that Nepal’s progress in drafting of the new constitution was “limited”. Speaking at a programme organised at the School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University, here in the capital today, Blake said that the US would very much like to see Nepal making steady progress in this regard. “The United States supports Nepal’s transition culminated into a peaceful, prosperous and democratic nation. We are supporting Nepal’s ongoing peace process,” he said. Blake also reiterated the continued support to Nepal’s Constituent Assembly by providing technical support in the constitution drafting process. “We also provide training to the Nepali Army to encourage its professionalisation and respect for human rights,” he added. Meanwhile, a team of French Senators, who are here in the capital, expressed concerns about the slow pace of constitution writing process. In a meeting with the CA chairman Subash Chandra Nembang today, they enquired about the disruption of the House and delay in the constitution writing process. Recently, a Chinese high-level political delegation that was here in the five-day visit had also expressed similar concerns. Likewise, Indian foreign secretary Nirupama Rao is coming to Nepal next week as the international concern is intensified over the sluggish progress of statue drafting process. Nembang said that it would be difficult to write the constitution on the stipulated time if the political parties failed to take the issue seriously. “I’ve cautioned the top leaders of the political parties over the same,” he said. Political scientist Lok Raj Baral said that international concern over the peace process should be taken positively. “The internationality community wants stability in Nepal because if Nepal turns into an instable nation, it affects the entire South Asia.” He slammed the political parties for their lackadaisical attitude towards the historic task. The CA on Wednesday had amended its work schedule for sixth time even as May 28, 2010 — the slated date the country would get the new statute — is drawing closer.