Friday, May 26 2006 13:54 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: The US has said that the continued violence and extortion by Maoists in Nepal is a 'disturbing trend' despite the rebels proclaiming their adherence to a ceasefire.

"There is a lot of positive movement, but there is a lot of continuing problem from the Maoists with reports of extortions, beatings they continue. They are continuing despite proclaiming their adherence to a ceasefire. That is a disturbing trend. We all need to keep in mind what exactly the Maoists are doing," Assistant Secretary of State for South andCentral Asia Richard Boucher told sources in an interview.

On the issue of military assistance to Nepal, he said the US would seek the 'guidance' of the country's political leaders but the move will not have a bearing on the Maoists. "We will move forward as the political leaders tell us. We certainly want to make sure to continue our relations with the army. We can do it in a lot of ways training, support; and we are quite willing to do that. I think it is important for the future of the nation. But we will take our guidance from the political leaders," he said.

However, the senior State Department official said the offer of American military assistance to Nepal will not complicate the agenda of the Maoists.

"It shouldn't (complicate the Maoist agenda) because in theory the Maoists have now a political agenda like the ceasefire, constituent assembly. But unfortunately they have not been active in the political agenda. They have kept up the violence," Boucher said.

The senior administration official said things have moved in a positive direction in Nepal.

"We think it is a hopeful moment. We think things have moved in a positive direction. First of all people of Nepal have got peace, they got their government back, politics back. The political parties have formed the Cabinet and made some fundamental decisions. We think that is progress. They are moving forward toward a ceasefire, carrying through on their commitments to have a constituent assembly," Boucher said.

He underlined the need for the United States and the international community to support the government of Nepal and made the point that Washington has been coordinating thingswith others including India.

"We need to support them. We have an assistance team out there talking to the government and we are confident that we will move quickly and other countries will move quickly to support the government in Nepal. And we are closely coordinating with other governments including India".