Statement by Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Resignations of Maoist Ministers in Nepal

September 19, 2007

Japan expresses its concern that the four Maoist ministers tendered their resignations to Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala on September 18 (Tue) and declared not to abide by the code of conduct and the schedule of an election for the constitutional assembly. Japan continues to pay close attention to the political situation in Nepal.
Japan supports the decision to choose peace and democratization through the agreement made by all the parties in Nepal in November last year with the assistance of the international community. Japan therefore strongly hopes that the election scheduled for November 22nd (Thu) will be carried out in a free and fair manner.

(END)