U.S. Ambassador's interview misinterpreted by Nepali press

May 26, 2005

The U.S. Embassy has noted that some newspapers referring to a BBC website story based on an interview, said that Ambassador James F. Moriarty in his interview had defended King Gyanendra's February 1 move thus indicating a shift in U.S. policy.  This is not correct.  The remarks attributed to Ambassador Moriarty by the newspapers are, in fact, remarks made by the King.  The relevant excerpt from the BBC story reads as follows:
 
"...King Gyanendra and the major opposition parties have been at loggerheads since the monarch sacked a four-party coalition, seized direct powers and imposed restrictions on civil liberties in February.  He defended the move, saying it was needed to tackle the insurgency in which 12,000 people have died.  The king accused the parties of failing to resolve the conflict..."
 
"He" in the above paragraph refers to the King and not to Ambassador Moriarty.  The original BBC story is available at http://news.bbc.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4574721.stm.  The misinterpretation by the newspapers is highly regrettable.  The U.S. Embassy encourages print and electronic media to verify with the Embassy any information when in doubt.  

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