KATHMANDU, JUN 07 -
In the wake of former PM Baburam Bhattarai’s statement that some
‘West-funded INGOs, NGOs and persons are trying to disturb’ the election
process, the US ambassador held talks with UCPN (Maoist) Chairman
Pushpa Kamal Dahal, while the British envoy held talks with
Vice-chairman Bhattarai on Friday.
Although both the missions have not officially spoken about the meetings, Maoist sources said the envoys conveyed to the two leaders that both the countries are committed to extending support to the poll process. In talks with British Ambassador Andrew James Sparkes, Bhattarai reiterated his statement and asked Sparkes to remain cautious of the activities of such INGOs, NGOs and persons, a statement issued by Bhattarai’s personal secretary, Bishow Deep Pandey, said.
“I had a very productive first meeting with Mr Bhattarai. I asked him about the media reports in question and Mr Bhattarai replied to me in the terms set out by his assistant in his statement,” Sparkes said. In public functions recently and in an interview with Kantipur daily, Bhattarai had said “some western-funded INGOs, NGOs and persons have been trying to derail the poll process, but at the same time India and China are very much supportive of the polls.”In the meetings with the envoys, Bhattarai stressed on the need for ‘positive international support’ to the poll process.
In response, the British ambassador said, “The EU wants to see timely elections and is ready to extend all kinds of support to hold them,” Pandey quoted Sparkes as saying. American Ambassador Peter W Bodde also held talks with Dahal on Friday and discussed poll-related developments and possible American assistance to hold timely elections.
“Bodde inquired about the date of the elections and moves being made to settle disputes among the parties,” an aide to Dahal, Shiva Khakurel, said.
According to him, Bodde also talked with Dahal the statement made by Bhattarai. “Expressing concern over the statement, the US envoy also expressed his ‘displeasure’ with Dahal and explained that the US wants to see elections in Nepal and that no attempts have been made by western powers or organisations funded by them to hamper the poll process,” Khakurel said.
Bodde urged Dahal to strike consensus on the disputed issues of an electoral law as early as possible, he said. Asked about the meeting, a US Embassy spokesperson said, “We do not share details of the ambasador’s private meetings.”
Although both the missions have not officially spoken about the meetings, Maoist sources said the envoys conveyed to the two leaders that both the countries are committed to extending support to the poll process. In talks with British Ambassador Andrew James Sparkes, Bhattarai reiterated his statement and asked Sparkes to remain cautious of the activities of such INGOs, NGOs and persons, a statement issued by Bhattarai’s personal secretary, Bishow Deep Pandey, said.
“I had a very productive first meeting with Mr Bhattarai. I asked him about the media reports in question and Mr Bhattarai replied to me in the terms set out by his assistant in his statement,” Sparkes said. In public functions recently and in an interview with Kantipur daily, Bhattarai had said “some western-funded INGOs, NGOs and persons have been trying to derail the poll process, but at the same time India and China are very much supportive of the polls.”In the meetings with the envoys, Bhattarai stressed on the need for ‘positive international support’ to the poll process.
In response, the British ambassador said, “The EU wants to see timely elections and is ready to extend all kinds of support to hold them,” Pandey quoted Sparkes as saying. American Ambassador Peter W Bodde also held talks with Dahal on Friday and discussed poll-related developments and possible American assistance to hold timely elections.
“Bodde inquired about the date of the elections and moves being made to settle disputes among the parties,” an aide to Dahal, Shiva Khakurel, said.
According to him, Bodde also talked with Dahal the statement made by Bhattarai. “Expressing concern over the statement, the US envoy also expressed his ‘displeasure’ with Dahal and explained that the US wants to see elections in Nepal and that no attempts have been made by western powers or organisations funded by them to hamper the poll process,” Khakurel said.
Bodde urged Dahal to strike consensus on the disputed issues of an electoral law as early as possible, he said. Asked about the meeting, a US Embassy spokesperson said, “We do not share details of the ambasador’s private meetings.”
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