I was all set to dislike Ambassador James Moriarity, one Irish poet to one Irish career diplomat. But since reading your interview with him ('Who's the roadblock?', #249), I'm slightly impressed. He was both articulate and consistent, two good traits for a diplomat.

F A Hutchison,
www.cyclingpeace.org

. For unknown reasons, Nepali Times' questions to US Ambassador James Moriarty were inspired by palace bashing and sympathies for the parties, despite the latter being singularly responsible for pushing the country to its present sorry state. Although squarely alienated from the common masses, the parties seem to have the ears of foreign dignitaries, the US ambassador in particular. The ambassador could render invaluable service to Nepal by helping the parties reincarnate themselves as instruments of clean democracy. To that end, he should persuade them to democratise themselves internally, make their finances transparent and purge themselves of their corrupt leaders at the top. Otherwise, it is the Nepali people who pay for their indiscretions and not the foreign preachers who have no stake in what happens in Nepal. The interview conspicuously lacks any concern for the people's interest.

Regarding negotiation with the Maoists, recent media revelations show that India has close contacts with them, and, therefore, can play a significant role in making that happen. The rebels will never come to the negotiating table as long as they feel assured of external support and possible victory in a protracted war. Since the US has an excellent relationship with India whose aspiration for a veto wielding permanent seat in the UN Security Council can hardly advance without her support, USA should persuade India to help Nepal resolve the Maoist problem and repatriate the Bhutani refugees.

Bihari Krishna Shrestha,
Chakupat

. The US ambassador is free to think whatever he likes and do whatever he likes. That stands only in his personal life. As a diplomat, his views on Nepal are not for public display. Selling his interview maybe good money for you but it tarnishes the country's image. It's pathetic in the first place that foreigners get to speak on internal matters. His interview is way off limits. The ambassador should stay within diplomatic norms. He should not look down upon Nepalis because we don't need his ideals. What he and the US are doing is only pushing the situation of our country into oblivion.

Rishav Shrestha,
Lalitpur

. I applaud you for printing the interview with American Ambassador James Moriarty and for the rest of the issue. Encouraging the seven parties and His Majesty the king to concur in a joint effort to stand up for the government is coming through in your publication. I agree with this hope that all those who welcome putting the country's future and peace in the various parts of the country will be the way the country eventually comes forth from the terrible conflict we are in. It will take honesty and humility on the part of the seven parties' leaders to subordinate their own egos and past selfish patterns to that of the head of the present government, to support His Majesty in his efforts to get the country completely back on track.

Fr James J Donnelly,
Kathmandu