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Nepal - Relations with U.S. (Notes)

U.S.-NEPAL RELATIONS The United States established official relations with Nepal in 1947 and opened its Kathmandu Embassy in 1959. Relations between the two countries have always been friendly. U.S. policy objectives toward Nepal center on helping Nepal build a peaceful, prosperous, and democratic society. Since 1951, the United States has provided more than $791 million in bilateral economic assistance to Nepal. In recent years, annual bilateral U.S. economic assistance through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has averaged $40 million. USAID supports agriculture, health, family planning, environmental protection, democratization, governance, and hydropower development efforts in Nepal. USAID is also supporting Nepals peace process, as well as its preparation for Constituent Assembly elections. The United States also contributes to international institutions and private voluntary organizations working in Nepal. To date, U.S. contributions to multilateral organizations working in Nepal approach an additional $725 million, including humanitarian assistance. The Peace Corps temporarily suspended its operations in Nepal in 2004 due to increasing security concerns, and officially terminated its Nepal program in 2006. Principal U.S. Officials Ambassador--James F. Moriarty Deputy Chief of Mission--vacant Counselor for Management Affairs--Michelle Esperdy USAID Director--Donald B. Clark Political and Economic Chief--Williams S. Martin Consular Chief--Mary Emma (Mea) Arnold Public Affairs Officer--Robert L. Hugins Regional Security Officer--Karen A. Lass Regional Environment Officer--John Q. Adams Political/Military Chief--Stephen W. Riley Defense Attaché--LTC Scott Taylor Office of Defense Cooperation--Maj. Lawrence A. Smith The U.S. Embassy in Nepal is located in Pani Pokhari, Kathmandu (Tel: [977] (1) 441-1179; fax: [977] (1) 441-9963). The Consular Section and American Center (Public Affairs Section) are located at the Yak & Yeti Hotel in Durbar Marg, Kathmandu (Tel: [977] (1) 444-5577; Consular fax: [977] (1) 444-4981; Public Affairs fax: [977] (1) 443-5869). The U.S. Agency for International Development is located in Rabi Bhawan, Kathmandu (Tel: [977] (1) 427-0144; fax: [977] (1) 427-2357).