Carter says US should recognize Maoist poll victory
Former US president Jimmy Carter on Saturday said that the outcome of the Constituent Assembly election would “truly represent the aspirations of the people”.
Speaking at a press conference he organized a day prior to leaving Nepal where he had come with a 60-member election observer team for poll monitoring mission, Carter also said that by conducting the elections peacefully Nepal has “set an example before the world”.
“The Carter Center found that the majority of Nepali voters participated in a remarkable and relatively peaceful constituent assembly election on April 10, 2008. Preliminary reports indicate that the administration of this election was well executed, bearing testimony to the hard work of election officials and the determination of Nepal’s people to ensure that their country continues on the path to sustainable peace and democracy,” he said reading out from a statement issued by the center.
Saying that it essential for Nepal “to remain calm, to await final results, and where there are disputes, to follow appropriate legal procedures”, Carter said the center will continue to observe the district counting and national tabulation until they are complete.
The co-founder of the Carter Center said that this election was important to “end the 12-years-long conflict, establish republican set up in Nepal and provide a new opportunity to the marginalized community”, while congratulating the enthusiasm and determination of Nepal’s people to help consolidate peace and democracy by participating in the election of a body that will write a new constitution.
“We encourage all Nepalis to remain actively involved in the drafting of the constitution to ensure that the process is transparent, accountable and inclusive,” he said.
Regarding poll-related violence, Carter said that not only the Maoists but other political parties were found equally responsible for it, insisting that the brutal killing of 7 unarmed Maoist activists in Dang shouldn’t be forgotten or overlooked.
He also flayed the policy of the current Bush administration not to engage in any sort of dialogue with the Maoists, and said that even if the party does “extremely well” in the polls the US should recognize it. nepalnews.com ag Apr 12 08
