Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert O. Blake Jr. is traveling to Kathmandu, Nepal, from September 10 to 11; Male, Maldives, on September 12; and Colombo, Sri Lanka, from September 12 to 14, 2012.
In Kathmandu, Assistant Secretary Blake will meet with Prime Minister Bhattarai, Maoist Chairman Prachanda, Nepal Army Chief Gaurav Rana and other Nepali Government officials to discuss a range of bilateral and regional issues. He will also meet with business leaders, Tibetan community representatives, civil society leaders and human rights activists. Assistant Secretary Blake will also hold a press conference at the Hyatt Hotel.
In Male, Assistant Secretary Blake will meet with President Mohamed Waheed, other Maldives officials, and with former President Mohamed Nasheed. He will express U.S. support for all Maldivian parties charting a way forward that respects Maldivian democratic institutions, the rule of law, and the will of the Maldivian people. Assistant Secretary Blake will also hold a roundtable with civil society leaders and give a press conference at the American Corner facility in Male.
In Colombo, Assistant Secretary Blake will meet with Minister of External Affairs GL Peiris and other senior Sri Lankan officials to discuss a wide range of issues, including progress in implementing the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission Action Plan. Assistant Secretary Blake will also hold a roundtable with civil society representatives and meet with business community leaders at the American Chamber of Commerce in Colombo, followed by a press conference at the American Center.