U.S. DISAPPOINTED AT THE SUSPENSION OF THE CA ELECTION PROCESS

October 5, 2007                                   

The United States is disappointed by the decision by the Interim Government of Nepal to suspend the Constituent Assembly election process.  The people of Nepal have been denied a timely opportunity to elect representatives to decide the framework for the future Government of Nepal.  It is important that all parties firmly commit themselves to quickly establish a new election date.  The United States wishes to express its appreciation to the Election Commission, which met the legal, technical and logistical challenges that the Constituent Assembly election posed.  We urge the Government of Nepal, with the full support of all parties, immediately to address the key elements of the Comprehensive Peace Accord which remain unfulfilled and to implement its agreements with various ethnic groups.  The period between now and the Constituent Assembly election should be used to show the people of Nepal that the Interim Government is responsive to and can meet its commitments to make a better life for the people of this country.