Acharya happy over US talks outcome

KOL Report
Kathmandu
August 03, 2003

Foreign Secretary Madhu Raman Acharya returned to the country Saturday after holding discussions with US officials and Congressmen in Washington DC and attending the Bandung Conference in Indonesia.

Speaking to reporters at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Acharya said he held discussions on the duty- and quota-free access to Nepali garments to US markets and the Tibetan and Bhutanese refugees issues.

Apart from these, the talks also were held on Nepali troops to Iraq, US' development and military assistance to Nepal and the political situation in the kingdom.

"We held talks on Nepali garments which was the focus of the visit," Acharya said.

"We placed our concerns and we found that the Americans are sympathetic to our concerns." When asked if the Bill on garments in the US Senate will get through, the Foreign Secretary said, "We are hopeful. It is on rolling status."

Acharya also revealed that the two sides discussed deployment of Nepali army in Iraq. "But the final decision on this matter will be taken by the government." (snn)