Kathmandu, April 27:

US ambassador to Nepal, James F Moriarty, today said the Maoists should now lay down weapons, renounce violence and clarify their real intention in order to participate in the election to a Constituent Assembly.

“To participate in any elections, the insurgents first must lay down arms and renounce violence,” Moriarty told a select group of journalists here.

The US thinks a Constituent Assembly could prove an excellent avenue for the Maoists to join the political mainstream.

“The biggest question is Maoists’ intention,” said the envoy, adding, “Two questions are still there: Will they actually renounce violence? Will they deal with the new government?”

He said the Maoists’ unilateral temporary truce is “ not sufficient.” He said the Maoists were the ‘biggest loser’ in the past few days. “I think they have suffered a big setback. I believe on Saturday the Maoists were actually very close to reach a success, (as they said) in toppling the autocratic monarchy; their plan was to do it by a violent revolution, not by constitutional framework.”

The people of Nepal voted for peace and democracy and that was why they were on the streets, but “that was not what exactly the Maoists wanted,” the envoy said. Asked whether the US continues to put the Maoists on terrorist watch list, he said, “We will see where they go.” Responding to a query on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issuing him a demarche after his interview to CNN, Moriarty said, “May be it (his interview to CNN) helped make it clear the King did not have any other choice than to listen to the people’s demand.”

He said the US might resume military assistance to Nepal, if the government makes a formal request. “We have not had any formal request from the government.”

Asked whether the US thinks King Gyanandra will keep his promise, he said, “In the foreseeable future the King has no option. The Army is scared.”

The US embassy is looking at the security situation to resume consular and other services,

which were suspended recently, he revealed.