New Delhi
27 October 2005
As China cosies up to Nepal, and correspondingly
Kathmandu's relations with New Delhi plunge, the United States is
troubled by the thought that "King [Gyanendra] is less interested in
conducting free and fair elections than in elections intentionally designed
to validate his continued rule."
The King has announced that civic elections will be held on February 8
next year and the parliamentary polls thereafter.
The US ambassador in Nepal, Mr James F Moriarty's remarks come at a
time when Nepal is seeking to enhance its ties with China, Russia and
Pakistan. While Foreign Minister Ramesh Nath Pandey is touring Russia
and Pakistan, his colleague, General Administration Minister Krishna Lal
Thakali is in China.
The US envoy has said, "Elections are obviously important for the
restoration of democracy, but we are troubled by the circumstances
surrounding the announcements of these upcoming polls in Nepal. [The
King has failed] to reach out to the political parties [and announced] new
media restrictions."
According to an observer of Nepal affairs, all that India and the US have
achieved by talking about restoring democracy in the Himalayan kingdom
is to "push Nepal into the Chinese lap." It is a "diplomatic collapse" of
major countries such as India and the United States, was the
overwhelming sentiment.
Although New Delhi has not chosen to offer a comment just yet, sources
said there has been no let-up in building up pressure on Kathmandu. They
said a senior official was dispatched to meet with the Nepal foreign
minister at the New Delhi airport as he (minister) transited through India.
What has caused further concern in New Delhi is Beijing's offer of military
assistance to Kathmandu. The Nepalese army chief, Gen Pyar Jung
Thapa, on Tuesday returned to Kathmandu after a weeklong visit to China
during which Beijing committed eight million yuan for military assistance
to Nepal.
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