EMBASSY ON PLOT ALLEGATION:
SHARE INFORMATION WITH POLICE             

March 9, 2007

The U.S. Embassy is deeply concerned by a public allegation of a plot to assassinate U.S. officials posted in Nepal.  The Maoist leader Prachanda raised this issue Thursday at a mass meeting in Pokhara, according to media reports.

The security of American citizens in Nepal is the Embassy’s highest priority.  Therefore, if the Maoist leader has evidence to support his statement, then he should immediately share that information with the Embassy and with the appropriate police authorities.  This is the proper way to deal with such matters.  If he has no such information, then his remarks are both irresponsible and dangerous.

We again urge the Maoists to contribute to a peaceful democratic transition in Nepal by renouncing violence, once and for all.  In democracies, political parties win support through their ability to persuade voters in peaceful elections – not through violence and intimidation.