Amid, the increasing political polarisation the current Maoist problem, Christina Rocca, US assistant secretary of state for South Asian Affairs in her recently concluded visit has recommended suppression of the insurgency. During her four-day stay, she met the king, prime minister, chief of army staff and leaders of political parties. While everyone else in the country is looking for a political solution, Rocca came up with promises of increased US aid to Nepal. She appealed to the Maoists to lay down their arms, totally overlooking the need for first creating a political environment conducive to their surrender. She also hinted that her country might enlist the Maoists as a terrorist group in the near future.

It becomes obvious the purpose of her visit was to encourage the government to use force and suppression against the insurgents. It cannot be just a coincidence that her visit coincided with the growing momentum of a campaign for a political solution to the Maoist problem. It is clear that the US benefits tremendously from instability in Nepal and has already developed relationships with the reactionary forces in this country. The US hopes to oversee its anti-China movement from Nepal to weaken the economic challenges China poses. If the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML is committed to the welfare of the country they should be able to speak out for non-interference by reactionaries.