KATHMANDU: The United States today removed the UCPN-Maoist from its Terrorist Exclusion List following a thorough review, as the party’s recent activities were not against the “US nationals” and its “foreign policy”.
The announcement comes on the eve of arrival of newly appointed US Ambassador to Nepal Peter W Bodde, and the visit of US Assistant Foreign Secretary Robert O Blake. Bodde is arriving in Kathmandu on Saturday to assume his responsibility as new US envoy, whereas Blake will land here on September 10.
Issuing a statement in Washington, the Department of State said, “It has revoked the designation of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and its aliases as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity under Executive Order 13224, and as a “terrorist organisation” from the Terrorist Exclusion List under the Immigration and Nationality Act.”
The announcement comes on the eve of arrival of newly appointed US Ambassador to Nepal Peter W Bodde, and the visit of US Assistant Foreign Secretary Robert O Blake. Bodde is arriving in Kathmandu on Saturday to assume his responsibility as new US envoy, whereas Blake will land here on September 10.
Issuing a statement in Washington, the Department of State said, “It has revoked the designation of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and its aliases as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity under Executive Order 13224, and as a “terrorist organisation” from the Terrorist Exclusion List under the Immigration and Nationality Act.”
In the wake of violence that the then CPN-Maoist had been indulging in, the United States included the party in the TEL in 2004, and kept it there, though the former insurgents signed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement with the Government of Nepal, joined the mainstream politics, and ruled the country twice since 2008.
“With these actions, the party’s property and interests in property in the United States or within the possession or control of US persons will no longer be blocked, and US entities may engage in transactions with the party without having to obtain a licence,” reads the statement.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha, shared his pleasure over the delisting. “It can be interpreted as a positive signal on the eve of the arrival of new US envoy and the visit of Assistant Secretary of the State,” the DPM Shrestha told THT.
Blake will meet Shrestha on September 11. He will also meet top leader of all political forces, the PM and President Ram Baran Yadav, according to a source.
A source close to PM Baburam Bhattarai said the exclusion proved that the Maoists were a “sincere and responsible political force”.
The Department of State added that the CPN-M, currently UCPN-Maoist, is no longer engaged in terrorist activities that threaten the security of American nationals or its foreign policy.
It further notes that in recent years, the Maoist party has been elected the head of Nepal’s coalition government, has taken steps to dismantle its apparatus for the conduct of terrorist operations, and has demonstrated a credible commitment to pursuing the peace and reconciliation process in Nepal.
“Today’s delisting does not seek to overlook or forget the party’s
violent past, but rather looks ahead towards the party’s continued engagement in a peaceful, democratic political dialogue in Nepal,” adds the statement.
The decision demonstrates that a group need not stay on a terrorist list forever after it demonstrates a credible commitment to pursuing peace and reconciliation.
LEKHANATH PANDEY
THTonline
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