白宫称赞尼泊尔制宪会议选举（在线收听）

 白宫称赞尼泊尔制宪会议选举

　　WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- The White House on Wednesday applauded the Constituent Assembly elections just concluded in Nepal, calling it a "vital step" in the country's peace process.

　　"The United States congratulates the people of Nepal on their Nov. 19 Constituent Assembly elections," spokesman Jay Carney said in a statement. "These elections mark a vital step in the peace process that began in 2006."

　　"Elections like these are a milestone not just for Nepal but for people around the world working to rebuild after conflicts and resolve disputes via constitutional and homegrown means," he added.

　　Voting counts began on Wednesday and the final results are not expected until at least one week. The 601-member Constituent Assembly is tasked with writing an overdue constitution for the country of 27 million, after a 10-year insurgency led by the Maoists come to an end in 2006.

　　The last assembly elected in 2008 failed to deliver one due to infighting, which collapsed in May 2012.

　　"As Nepal's newly elected leaders turn to the important task of concluding a constitution, the United States will continue to support Nepal's progress along a peaceful, prosperous, inclusive and democratic path," Carney said.