No military component to the MCC: US Embassy

KATHMANDU, Jan 18: There is no military component to the Millennium Challenge Compact (MCC). If fact, the law of the United States prohibits it, stated the Embassy of the US in Nepal on Friday.

The US Embassy’s statement comes amid various questions raised over the project if it would pave way for the deployment of the US military in Nepal.

“Recently Nepali citizens, politicians and members of the media have been asking questions about the MCC in Nepal. We welcome your questions and the Nepali public’s engagement in understanding what benefits the program would bring to Nepal because the MCC was founded as a new model for international development based on transparency and true partnership, said the US Embassy in a press release providing ‘top ten facts about the MCC in Nepal’.

The MCC project is focused purely on economic development by helping to build powerlines and improve roads, the release reads.

“There is no military component to the MCC. In fact, US law prohibits it.”

It further states that Nepal does not need to “join” or “sign up” for anything in order to participate in the MCC.

“The $500 million is a grant, with no strings attached, no interest rates, and no hidden clauses.  All Nepal has to do is commit to spend the money, transparently, for the projects that have been agreed upon.”

The release states that the US government began working with Nepal in 2012 toward the development of an MCC compact at the request of Nepal’s leaders.

Nepalis proposed and decided which projects MCC will fund in Nepal based on Nepal’s own priorities. MCC’s model requires Nepal to hire Nepalis to lead the implementation of the projects, the release states.

“MCC project tenders are open, transparent, and available to everyone.”
“In Nepal, as in every country where MCC works, parliamentary ratification is required and provides transparency and an opportunity for Nepalis to understand the project,” it further reads.