US urges Nepal to restore democracy Kathmandu February 11, 2005 The United States wants Nepal to return to democracy after King Gyanendra's crackdown on dissidents last week, and has complained to the monarch that security forces are blocking the US ambassador from visiting detained political leaders. Nepalese security forces have arrested dozens of politicians and activists since February 1, when the king dismissed an interim government, imposed emergency rule, suspended civil liberties and ordered a communications blackout in his Himalayan nation. "We continue to urge the Government in Nepal to get back on the democratic path," White House press secretary Scott McClellan said. The US State Department said Nepal had ignored repeated US requests to release political prisoners and had blocked US ambassador James Moriarty from visiting political leaders under house arrest. Mr Moriarty carried the US objections directly to King Gyanendra, department spokesman Kurtis Cooper said in Washington. "The United States is concerned about the welfare of Nepalese opposition, student and human rights activists and leaders detained under the state of emergency," Mr Cooper said. "The United States has called repeatedly for the king to release detainees, lift house arrest and restore civil liberties and freedom of the press." Nepal's Home Ministry has said that since emergency rule was imposed, 43 people were arrested for their personal safety and to avoid disturbances, including 18 under house arrest. Yesterday, Nepalese authorities said six politicians had been freed from house arrest. But political parties say far more than 43 people have been detained. "We have at least 250 cadres who have been arrested while six of our top leaders are under house arrest," said Shanker Pokhrel, a central member of the United Marxist Leninist Communist Party of Nepal, the second largest party. The king has justified his actions by saying the former government failed to control a Maoist rebel insurgency or prepare for parliamentary elections. Some Nepalese say they hope King Gyanendra will bring stability and revive the vital tourist trade, which has been flagging because of the insurgency. Nepal's rebels, who say they are inspired by the late Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong, have been trying since 1996 to overthrow the government and establish a socialist state in a conflict that has claimed 10,500 lives. AP