Nepal monarchy 'out of politics'

By Charles Haviland
BBC correspondent, Kathmandu

Boucher: 'Hopeful moment' for Nepal

The people of Nepal have decided the monarchy has no future political role, a senior US official has said.

Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher was speaking at the end of a short visit to Kathmandu.

He also said Washington would continue to regard Maoist rebels as terrorists until they changed their behaviour.

Mr Boucher said this was a "hopeful moment" for Nepal after street protests forced King Gyanendra to retreat from absolute rule last month.

Through their efforts for democracy, the people of Nepal have won a great victory for themselves and for future generations US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher

He said he had not sought a meeting with the monarch during his visit because he had wanted to see the politicians in whose hands the future rested.

He said it was for the people to decide whether Nepal would be a kingdom or a republic; and that if the monarchy remained, people would want it to be merely ceremonial.

"Ultimately the people decided. Ultimately the people said, 'the king has got no role any more'," Mr Boucher said.

"They want to make sure that the king is not able to interfere any more in the politics the way he had - that he is not able to disband the government and try to take over power."

'Terrorists'

Mr Boucher condemned the Maoists, saying they were still killing people and forcing them into service.

He said they would remain terrorists in Washington's eyes until they stopped this, adding that they should lay down their weapons and then seek people's votes.

The US diplomat said his country was prepared to resume its suspended military aid to Nepal but that would depend on the new government asking for it.

With speculation about the loyalty of the army here, Mr Boucher said its chief of staff had assured him that the military would respond to civilian authority in the days ahead.