Kathmandu, July 28
Australia’s Ambassador to Nepal, Glenn White, called on CPN-Maoist Centre Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ at the latter’s residence in Lazimpat on Tuesday.
During the meeting, Ambassador White expressed concern about cancellation of Prachanda’s visit to Australia, Prachanda’s Private Secretariat informed.
According to the secretariat, the ambassador said he was in constant contact with Australian government, police and attorney-general. There were no issues (regarding Prachanda’s visit), the secretariat quoted White as saying.
Glenn’s remarks came amid media reports that Prachanda cancelled his visit in the wake of complaints with Australian authorities over Maoist insurgency-era cases and possibility of his arrest.
In his reply, Prachanda said he was aware that the reports were far from reality. He said he had to shelve the visit because of the prevailing political situation and work pressure.
Prachanda noted this was not the right time to visit Australia as general elections were taking place there. The Maoist leader said he will visit Australia in the right time.
During the talks, Prachanda said there’s a need for a national consensus government to implement the new constitution, address demands of various ethnicities, take the peace process to a logical conclusion and speed up the post-quake reconstruction work.
Political parties are discussing the matter and talks are heading in a positive direction, Prachanda said, expressing hope that the international community will support the process.
Ambassador White talked about Australian government’s continued assistance to Nepal, including in the post-quake reconstruction work.
