US shifts policy on Nepal Maoists

---

KATHMANDU, (Nepal), June 1 (UPI): U.S. diplomats have made a major policy shift in how they will deal with Maoists who are set to head Nepal's next government.

The former rebels-who recently emerged as the leading vote-getters in the Constituent Assembly-were at the center of frantic Kathmandu negotiations that concluded with the United States acknowledging it would work with the Maoists. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Evan Feigenbaum met with reporters Saturday to explain acceptance of the communists who have been on a U.S. terrorist list since 2003, the Nepalese news agency eKantipir.com reported.

"The Maoists are not designated as an FTO," Feigenbaum said, referring to the U.S. Foreign Terrorist Organization list - the broadest legal category.

However the group remains on the U.S. Terrorist Exclusion List, and the Specially Designated List, which blocks them from holding property and entry into the United States.

The U.S. reversal of policy on negotiating with terrorists may or may not mean other terrorist designations will be removed for the Maoists, said Feigenbaum.