Nepalis to decide monarchy’s fate’

Kathmandu, August 28 :

Reiterating the US stance that Maoists must lay down their arms before joining the government, members of a visiting delegation of US Congressmen today said their country can review the terrorist tag if they lay down weapons.

“If they truly agree to set aside their arms.., this tag labled as terrorists can be removed. We can review the question of terrorist tag but they (Maoists) must set their arms aside,” Jim Kolbe, the leader of the delegation told a press conference organised here after the team’s meeting with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala. The delegation wrapped up its visit today.

“If the Maoists continue to perform activities such as extortion and kidnapping, it is difficult for the political process to move ahead,” Kolbe said.

“We support PM Koirala’s position that the Maoists must lay down their weapons before joining an interim government,” said Kolbe and another member of the delegation, Brian Baird.

On the future of monarchy, the Congressman said: “That is up to the Nepali people to decide.”

Stating that he never made any phone call to Koirala, US ambassador James F Moriarty said the US wanted a “ceremonial monarchy” in Nepal. Maoist leader Prachanda had accused the US of giving wrong advice to the PM on the continuation of “ceremonial monarchy.” The delegation was impressed by the army’s Mahabir Rangers’ unit, which it inspected. “I am personally impressed by the professionalism of this particular unit of Rangers,” Brian said.

On the issue of 100,000 Bhutanese refugees, Baird said the delegation feels the best resolution could be their repatriation. “We will be raising the issue with Bhutananese officials,” he said. The delegation is embarking to Bhutan from here.

“We cannot force the Bhutanese authorities on the issue as we do not have (bilateral) relations with the country, but we will certainly raise the issue,” Kolbe said.

Asked about the US plan to take 5,000 Tibetan refugees, Kolbe said: “Yes, we have agreed to take many of them.”