§ Dr. Julian LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the importance of the United Kingdom helping to maintain stability in Nepal. [24745]
§ Mr. BradshawWe believe that a stable Nepal is not only important to the United Kingdom, but also to the region and the greater international community. The UK will therefore look carefully at requests from Nepal to help maintain stability.
§ Dr. Julian LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is in respect of supporting the Government of Nepal against Maoist terrorism. [24743]
§ Mr. BradshawWe believe that the Nepalese Government have a duty to protect their citizens. The UK, which has a long history as a friend of Nepal, will look carefully at any requests for assistance from the Nepalese Government.
§ Dr. Julian LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his assessment of the political situation in Nepal. [24744]
§ Mr. BradshawNepal is currently under a state of emergency, which was declared by King Gyanendra on 26 November. Certain constitutional freedoms have been suspended.
We supported Prime Minister Deuba's attempts to negotiate a peaceful solution to the Maoist insurgency, and we have condemned the Maoists' return to violence. The current situation is serious, and we are monitoring events carefully.
§ Dr. Julian LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the effect on neighbouring states of political instability in Nepal. [24749]
§ Mr. BradshawAlthough serious, we do not believe the current situation in Nepal will have a significant destabilising impact on her neighbours, India and China.
§ Dr. Julian LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of possible links between Maoist terrorists in Nepal and other terrorist organisations. [24746]
§ Mr. BradshawWe are aware that, through its membership of the Revolutionary Internationalist Movement (RIM) and the newly formed Co-ordination Committee of Maoist Parties and Organisations of South Asia (CCOMPASA), the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) has links with other Maoist organisations in the region and further afield. We do not have any indication that they have links other, non-Maoist, terrorist organisations.