BAN KI-MOON APPLAUDS INDIA'S 'UNFAILING' ASSISTANCE TO NEPALESE

BAN KI-MOON APPLAUDS INDIA'S 'UNFAILING' ASSISTANCE TO NEPALESE New York, Feb 3 2008 8:00PM India has played a vital and long-standing role in helping the people of Nepal and also in supporting the efforts of the United Nations across the South Asian region, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson on Friday, Mr. Ban clarified comments to the press made by Matthew Kahane, the UN's Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nepal, on 24 January.

"His comments were not intended to suggest that the Government of India has influence over Nepalese groups that have recently been limiting the steady flow of essential goods into the Terai region of Nepal, such as food," the statement noted.

"India is an important partner in the region and we appreciate very much the unfailing and long-standing assistance and support that India has provided to the United Nations and, more importantly, to the people of Nepal."
2008-02-03 00:00:00.000

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