Media Reaction: Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba's

UNCLAS KATHMANDU 000958

SIPDIS

SEPT FOR INR/R, R/MR, I/RW, I/REC; PA, SA/PD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR NEPAL'>NP
SUBJECT: Media Reaction: NEPAL Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba's
U.S.'s visit


1. "Western support"

Editorial, "Kathmandu Post" (E/D, 5/106): "Prime Minister Sher
Bahadur Deuba returned home after...a historic and rare meeting
with U.S. President George Bush. He obtained pledges of support
from U.S. President Bush and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair... The
gesture, which President Bush extended in meeting the Prime
Minister is symbolic of the U.S. commitment to help new
democracies like NEPAL root out terrorism and the causes that give
birth to terrorism..."

"But the western support should not be taken for granted. The
western countries do not supply arms merely to kill one another
but to help the terrorist affected countries help themselves by
helping to hit out against terrorists and, at the same time,
addressing the state machinery towards economic, social, political
as well as infrastructure development..."

"The Prime Minister's visit abroad has helped to highlight the
destructive nature of the Maoist movement and why the government
was more than justified in labeling the Maoists as 'terrorists.'"


2. "Deuba's foreign visit"

Editorial, "Kantipur" (V/D, 5/16): "...The Prime Minister's visit
should be considered successful in terms of receiving positive
assurance for the security and development of the country.
However, it will be a united effort of the people to get the
country out of its adverse circumstances."


3. "Prime Minister's foreign visit"

Editorial, "Himalaya Times" (V/D, 5/16): "...Prime Minister
Deuba's visit has helped NEPAL strengthen its foreign relations,
present its factual situation to the international community and
get assistance for its development programs... There is no doubt
that the meetings with such top leaders as President Bush and
Prime Minister Blair have benefited NEPAL..."


4. "Deuba's U.S. visit: sympathy and support"

Article, "Spotlight" (E/W, 5/17-23): "Prime Minister Deuba appears
to have succeeded in drawing the West's support for NEPAL's effort
to crush the Maoist insurgency... The positive response from the
U.S. government has boosted the confidence of the Deuba
government. Similar pledges of assistance from the British
government, too, have come at a time when the international
community has been standing solidly behind the Deuba government in
its fight against terrorists... This flurry of diplomatic activity
indicates how NEPAL's friends are coming out in full support of
the kingdom in its hour of terrible crisis."

MALINOWSKI