US allows its mission to continue support to Nepal

The US government which was reluctant for economic and development support citing the suspicion to the Maoist has permitted American mission to continue providing the support even if Maoist join interim government to be formed soon.

The US Department of Treasury (DoT) authorized the US mission in Nepal to continue economic and development assistance and supports the peace process, according to the statement released by American Center on Thursday.

The statement said the authorization comes in the form of a license granted to the US Department of State and US Agency for International Development (USAID). The OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) license is valid till February 28, 2008.

The statement quoted US Ambassador to Nepal James F. Moriarty as saying that this license enables the U.S. Mission to meet its commitments to continue supporting the people of Nepal and the peace process. He welcomed the issuance of the license to the mission.

The US embassy and USAID/Nepal had requested the State Department and USAID in Washington to seek the license because of US prohibitions against providing aid to terrorist organizations, Maoists in the context of Nepal.

The Embassy has noted that if the Maoists enter the cabinet without abandoning violence, 'the US Mission will work to ensure that Maoists ministers cannot claim credit for US assistance.'

"In coming days, the US Mission will be consulting with Washington on license requirements and also briefing USAID/Nepal contractors and grantees in Nepal on this positive development" the statement read.

However it is learnt that the license does not apply to American individuals or organizations working in Nepal without US government grants or contracts.

US allows its mission to continue support to Nepal

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