Ambassador's Speech at Supreme Court

November 20, 2006

It is a great pleasure to be here today for this book donation ceremony.  I have been very fortunate to get to know Chief Justice Poudel during my time here, and I would like to compliment the entire Supreme Court for the hard work they are doing under difficult circumstances.

Nepal is on the brink of a new age in its history.  As the political landscape shifts and politics are reformed, the role of law and order is even more critical.  The Supreme Court is the ultimate guardian of the law of the land.  You must independently hold all parties accountable to the letter of the law – an extremely difficult task even in times of stability.  Unfortunately, this easier said than done.  Just today, for instance, the U.S. Embassy finds itself compelled to issue a statement denouncing a practice that ignores the rule of law.  I refer to the forced recruitment of Nepalis- including children – into the armed ranks of the Maoists.

As our statement points out, such action violates all human rights norms and directly contravenes the spirit and letter of agreements the insurgents signed with the Government of Nepal.  As the Maoists are poised to enter an interim government, it is strange and troubling that they continue to harass the very people they claim they would serve in office. We urge the Maoists to end this practice immediately and all other forms of violence, intimidation, and extortion.  All of these flout the rule of law and violate basic human rights.  The Nepali people have lived in fear for 11 years.  It is time to remove this fear and show respect for all Nepali citizens and their fundamental rights.

Now to more positive matters.  It is my honor here today to support the Supreme Court’s work in this small but important way by giving a collection of important law books to the Supreme Court library.  These books were collected and donated by US Attorney Bill Flanagan and US District Attorney Donald Washington after their visit to Nepal in 2005.  They scoured US attorneys' offices and law schools, collected the books and shipped them in a container of books organized by the Asia Foundation and my Public Affairs Section.  In all, Mr. Flanagan, Mr. Washington , the U.S. Embassy, and The Asia Foundation are donating books and a grant for library equipment worth nearly $100,000. 

The United States government stands ready to cooperate with the Supreme Court of Nepal in the future and wishes you wise counsel as you make decisions for the benefit of the future of this country.  Thank you.