Holding a press meet at the end of his two-day visit to Nepal, US Assistant Secretary of State Robert O? Blake said that Nepal's peace process can reach its logical conclusion if the political party leaders are able to work together.

During his stay Assistant Secretary Blake held meetings with the senior leaders of the major political parties, including the president and the prime minister and communicated US's interests and concerns. The assistant secretary of state said, "The leaders told me they want to achieve peace, but there are differences among them on how it will happen."

Reirterating the US's support for Nepal to become democratic and stable as well as achieve long-term development, Blake encouraged all to work together and asserted that the new government should move quickly to name the portfolios.

Blake informed that the US government has allocated $70 million annual assistance to Nepal, especially targeted at health sector, vocational training and enhancment of civil society's role. The US, he said, will remain one of the largest bilateral donors in Nepal.

Addressing the issue of army integration, Blake said that it was a very important part of the peace process. The assistant secretary was in special discussions with the party leaders regarding the discharge of minors from the cantonments, which number to about 3000.

Blake further said that the process to remove the Maoists from the terrorist list depends on the sincerity on their part. The removal will take place if the Maoists renounce violence altogether and a put complete stop to the violent activities of the YCL and their active participation in the peace process among other conditions. Blake added: "The controversial Shaktikhor tape has no bearing on the US government?s decision on lifting the terrorist tag off the Maoists head."

This is Blake's first foreign visit after being appointed to the post last month.