Nepal rebels still killing - US

By Charles Haviland
BBC News, Kathmandu

The Maoists deny the US allegations

The US has accused Maoist rebels in Nepal of continuing to kill people despite plans for them to join an interim government.

The US says that the actions of the rebels are in mockery of a two-month-old ceasefire.

Comments by the US ambassador in Nepal follow similar complaints from the UN.

Ambassador James Moriarty's speech was the US government's first public comment on the events since the Maoists signed an accord with the government.

Violence

"Kidnappings, extortion, intimidation and murder are not tools for mainstream democratic political parties - which the Maoists claim they are becoming," said Mr Moriarty.

The US ambassador praised Nepalese people for forcing a return to democracy through demonstrations in April.

But he said the Maoists, who have fought a 10-year insurgency, were not showing good faith.

The rebels are permitted to carry weapons

The ambassador's examples included a 19-year-old youth abducted by the Maoists and allegedly killed by them earlier this month.

Mr Moriarty called on the guerrillas to give up violence before joining the interim government - otherwise, he said, such a government would probably not be eligible for US assistance.

In a report on Tuesday, the Nepal office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said the Maoists had abducted several people and killed nine since early May.

The rebels have denied the UN allegations but say they will investigate.

However, neighbours of the deceased 19-year-old say the Maoists are not keeping such promises.

The accord signed with the government commits both sides to having their weapons managed with UN assistance in the run-up to planned elections - but does not mention a permanent renunciation of violence.