Britain to support Nepal to fight terrorism

Britain’s Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Ben Bradshaw, who is here on a two-day working visit, has pledged his government’s support to Nepal in its battle against terrorism and poverty.

"I wanted to come here particularly at this time to show solidarity with Nepal," Bradshaw told the press this afternoon following his meeting with Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Arjun Jung Bahadur Shahi.

"Your difficulties are not just the problem of insurgency but the effects it is having on your economy, on your ability to attract investment and on the tourism sector," Bradshaw said. "These were the subjects dominating my discussion with your Prime Minister and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs."

Bradshaw, a labour party MP looking after South Asia among other regions, disclosed that the United Kingdom, a major donor for Nepal, has increased its annual development assistance to the tune of 20 million pound sterling. The British government already has a large scheme, the Enabling State Programme, being implemented through its Department for International Development.

"We are looking into another stream of financing which has to do with conflicts prevention, we are cooperating on training and logistics and also advising and helping in the security field," said Bradshaw. "We hope to increase the amount of money quite substantially to prevent and resolve conflicts in Nepal."

"The message I have received really across the board here — from human rights organisations on one side to the military on the other — is that without sorting out the current security situation there is not really a high prospect to be able to address some of the deep social and economic challenges," he said.

Referring to last week’s Maoist attacks in Accham and Sarlahi as savage, Bradshaw said, "Through their latest brutality, the Maoists have shown their true colours."

He advised that politicians here should work together, and not against one another, at this time of national crisis. "You have to build confidence among the people, the battle of hearts and minds has to be won to end the cycle of violence," he said. "A hundred per cent security is difficult to achieve in the face of ruthless insurgency and difficult terrain."

Bradshaw said after September 11 last year, it was now the obligation of countries like Britain, India and the United States to help Nepal quell terrorism. "The world should come to your help," said Bradshaw.

"A firm military response is needed to fight the terrorists," Bradshaw said, giving the successful example of the United Kingdom in battling terrorism in Northern Ireland. "We have good experience."

On the issues of Gurkhas, the Under-Secretary said that his labour government doubled their service pensions and wanted to see them playing a greater role. "Our solidarity with Nepal is because of the Gurkhas and their role in peacekeeping."

Bradshaw said because of the "tight" labour market in Britain, the recruitment of Grukhas has only been "fairly steady" and they could instead find jobs in private roles of soldiering, not just in Britain but elsewhere as well.