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Journalism of Courage
Amid a political deadlock in Nepal,the US has said it still considers CPN-Maoist party led by Prachanda a global terrorist organisation and warned its citizens of potential risks of travelling to the country in view of the security situation there.
“The US government’s designation of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) as a ‘Specially Designated Global Terrorist’ organisation under Executive Order 13224,and its inclusion on the ‘Terrorist Exclusion List’ pursuant to the Immigration and Nationality Act,remain in effect,” the State Department said in a travel alert issued on Wednesday.
“These two designations make Maoists excludable from entry into the United States without a waiver and bar US citizens from contributing funds,goods,or services to,or for the benefit of,the Maoists,” it said.
Warning American nationals of the potential risks of travelling to Nepal,the State Department said it remains concerned about the security situation in Nepal. “US citizens are urged to obtain updated security information before travelling and they should be prepared to change their plans on short notice,” it said.
It advised US citizens that the potential remains for spontaneous demonstrations and political unrest,which could escalate into violence. “You should stay current on media coverage of local events and be aware of your surroundings at all times,” it said.
The State Department spokesman also urged all political parties in Nepal to resolve their differences.
Nepal is being run by a caretaker government for over six months following Premier Madhav Kumar Nepal’s resignation under intense Maoist pressure. So far,the Constituent Assembly of the country has not been able to elect a new Prime Minister. “We are continuing to encourage the (Nepal) government to do everything it can to resolve the situation,” P J Crowley,the State Department spokesman,told reporters at his daily news conference on Wednesday.
