Dick Lugar: “as Members are aware, Nepal has been gripped by demonstrations in support of democracy for the past 20 days. At least 14…”

“as Members are aware, Nepal has been gripped by demonstrations in support of democracy for the past 20 days. At least 14 Nepali citizens have been killed in these protests and hundreds more injured. The demonstrations follow 14 months of direct rule by King Gyanendra and February 8, 2006, municipal elections that the State Department characterized as a ``hollow attempt by the King to legitimize his power.'' I am submitting today a resolution expressing the Senate's support for the reconvening of the Nepali parliament and for an immediate, peaceful transition to a democratic political process in the country. This resolution urges the King, political parties, and Maoists to support a process that returns the country to multi-party democracy and creates the conditions for peace and stability in the country. ____________________”