US asks Nepal Maoists to be flexible

In the wake of Maoists threatening to paralyse Nepal with an indefinite strike, the US today asked the former rebels to "work constructively" with other political parties to move the peace process forward and help draft the new constitution in time.

In the wake of Maoists threatening to paralyse Nepal with an indefinite strike, the US today asked the former rebels to "work constructively" with other political parties to move the peace process forward and help draft the new constitution in time.

HT Image

"We urge the Maoist to work constructively with the other parties to move the peace process forward," State Department spokesman Mark Toner said.

This is the first public statement from the US in the wake of a fresh political turmoil in Nepal with Maoists taking to the streets in protest against the government.

"The United Communist Party Nepal (Maoist) has just ended a three day nation-wide general strike. There were reports of violence during that strike. These strikes do little to build consensus in the country," Toner said.

His statement comes two days after the Maoists threatened to paralyse Nepal with an indefinite strike from January 24.

"Now is the time for flexibility, to compromise and build consensus among the political parties to work together to draft a new constitution on schedule and to move the peace process forward," Toner said.

"Our ultimate goal is to move the peace process forward. It is in the best interest of Nepal," he said.