US 'encouraged' by recent steps on peace processFriday, 01 October 2010 17:39 A senior US official has said the US administration is encouraged by the recent agreement between the government and the UCPN (Maoist) on expediting the peace process. Robert O Blake Jr.  (File photo)"In recent days, we have seen progress on the peace process, including a key agreement between the Government and the Maoists to move ahead on the long-stalled integration and rehabilitation of former Maoist combatants," said Robert O. Blake, the US Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia Affairs, while addressing the World Affairs Council held in California, USA, on Thursday. He added, "We are encouraged by this positive step and hope the parties will take advantage of this opportunity to close the camps housing the former Maoist combatants once and for all." Blake, who had visited Nepal in April this year, also noted that despite the difficulties among the parties and the slow pace of implementation of the peace process, there has not been a return to violence. "The former Maoist combatants are now a political party who repeatedly state their commitment to the political process.  However you cut it, sorting out disputes in the political arena rather than on the battlefield is progress." He also expressed hope that the parties would be able to form new government soon. "Since June, Nepal's three main parties have fruitlessly vied to lead the next government, although we remain hopeful that a new government will be formed soon," said he. The US Assistant Secretary also cited examples of some encouraging facts about Nepal and the progress made by the country in some areas. "For all its current political turmoil, Nepal has in many ways been a remarkable global citizen.  For example, Nepal has hosted over 100,000 Bhutanese refugees for almost two decades," he mentioned. "Following 15 rounds of unsuccessful negotiations between Nepal and Bhutan over the repatriation of the refugees, the U.S. and seven other countries have offered resettlement to interested and qualified refugees. To date, more than 35,000 have been resettled, with 30,000 resettled in the United States.  Nepal has also offered safe haven to a sizable population of Tibetan refugees and facilitated the safe passage of new Tibetan arrivals to India." In his speech, Blame also made a reference of the contributions made by Nepal to international peacekeeping missions. "Nepali peacekeepers have long helped make the world safer through their active involvement in UN peacekeeping missions, ranking sixth in the world in troop contributions despite a population of fewer than 30 million people." Another area in which Nepal has excelled is in the remarkable growth in the freedom and vitality of its press, he noted, mentioning that Nepal's media has blossomed both in numbers and vibrancy over the past two decades. "As a key member of Nepal's evolving civil society the free media increasingly helps shape public debate and strengthens democratic institutions." He further cited the "strong strides" Nepal has made on the development front, as well.  "In fact, Nepal is one of only a few countries that won international praise for its progress in meeting the Millennium Development Goals in health." "Nepal brought down the number of pregnancy related deaths from 538 per 100,000 in 1996 to 281 per 100,000 in 2006, and for reducing child mortality from 118 per 1000 to 61 per 1000," he mentioned. "All of these trends augur well for a brighter future in Nepal, particularly if its leaders can set aside their differences, and complete the peace process."  Source: Nepalnews.com