US WELCOMES PROGRESS

Kathmandu, 23 Jan.: USA welcomed the transfer of the chain of command and control of 19,000 plus Maoist former fighters from the UCPN (Maoist) to a special committee headed by the prime minister Saturday.
The committee is responsible for monitoring, supervising and resettling Maoists.
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and Chairman Prachanda lsigned a memorandum of understanding at a cantonment in Chitwan to bring the former fighters under the special committee.
“The United States congratulates Nepal’s leaders for completing the important process of transferring the command and control of the Maoist combatants to the special committee.
“In particular, we commend the UCPN-Maoist party for demonstrating its commitment to democracy separating itself politically from the combatants,” a statement said.
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