Kathmandu, July 28:

The Japanese senior Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Yasuhisa Shiozaki, who arrived here today pledged an assistance of 8.1 million US dollars for radio broadcast to Nepal.

Shiozaki said his country was willing to provide more assistance for peace and democracy in Nepal. He said this after meeting the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Foreign Affairs KP Oli at Shital Niwas.

“We have discussed about Nepal in the United Nations and the UN team is here to assess the situation. We will discuss in UN on how to help Nepal after the team prepares its report, but the ownership of the peace process should be given to Nepali people,” said Shiozaki.

He said the Nepali people should decide on the kind of system they want in Nepal. About the possibility for Japan helping Nepal in rehabilitation and reconstruction, Shiozaki urged Nepal

to prepare a framework and based on that Japan would decide on what it can do.

Asked if Japan would vote for Nepal in acquiring a non-permanent membership in United Nations Security Council for 2006-2007, he said a decision has not yet been made. He also met the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Subas Chandra Nembang, and assured him that Japan would fully help in Nepal’s democracy.

“Japan has a view that arms should be managed before going to the elections to Constituent Assembly,” said a source, who was present in the meeting between Nembang and Shiozaki. Shiozaki is also learnt to have assured Nembang that Japan would lobby in the UN to help Nepal in her peace process.