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President and King Mahendra agreed ~ further-—tunate-people-in- other-countries-of-the-world-as~-—__. that Nepal and the United States share a pro- found belief in the sovereignty and independence of nations and in genuine noninterference in the affairs of others. The President and King Ma- hendra agreed that any attempt by any nation “to impose its own economic system or political beliefs on any other country should be condemned. The President and King Mahendra expressed & common belief that social and economic progress should be achieved by all peoples in the manner of their own choosing and in government based . on consent of the governed and the dignity of the human individual. In this spirit, the Presi- dent assured King Mahendra of the continuing readiness of the United States to be of assistance to the Government of Nepal in its high objective of developing the resources of the country for | the welfare of its people. The President and King Mahendra expressed their mutual desire to maintain and further strengthen the cordiality and genuine friendship which has always characterized Nepalese- American relations and which has been so evident during the King’s visit. ADDRESS BEFORE THE CONGRESS, APRIL 28 Onofficial translation Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, and Members of the Congress: We are very much touched by the warmth and spontaneity of emotions and feeling with which we have been received here. With a deep sense of honor and privilege we avail our- selves of the opportunity to address this august assembly. We regard this invitation to us as a token of your friendship and good will toward the people of Nepal, who in their turn have noth- ing but the greatest respect and edmiration for the great people and the leaders of the United States of America. It is my pleasant duty to convey to you and through you to all the citizens of this great Republic the sincere greetings and salutations of the Government and the people of Nepal. Different nations have acquired influence and leadership in the world in different periods of history. But no other nation at its height of power and prosperity, glory and greatness, had _in the past thought in the same benevolent terms — sbout the poverty and hardships of the less for- ~ Constitution of Nepal. As is apparent to you, the 828 . institutions of government and legislature, respect * you have been doing in your own time. Your pioneering spirit in this field and dedication to the great and noble task of helping to alleviate - the conditions of poverty and suffering wherever they may exist have served to focus universal at- tention on this question of serving humanity asa -- ; matter of international responsibility. We had till 12 years ago very little to do with each other, even in the way of trade and diplo matic relations. Till then few Americans had visited Nepal and the Nepalese who hed visited America could actually be counted on the finger- tips. With the advent of democracy in Nepal things began to change, and since the opening of the U.S. Operations Mission our contacts have; increased rapidly and hundreds of Nepalese have come to this country for training and studies in various fields. Quite a few American technicians and experts have been to Nepal to help the Nepa- lese people out on their problems of transport, economy, and agriculture, on those of health and education. We are glad to be able to tell you. =: that the Nepalese have found the American ex- perts friendly and helpful and always willing and ~~ : eager to help the Nepalese out on their various "ie, problems. In recent years an increasingly large © _ number of American tourists have been visiting Nepal, and they are always among the most x welcomed visitors. Common Faith in Democratic Ideals Apart from the recent contacts we have re- ferred to above, our common faith in democratic => . ideals and procedures provides, in our opinion, the woe lasting basis for greater understanding and co- operation between our two peoples and countries. You are all familiar with the strains and difficul- ties under which all newly established democra- ~ cies have to work. The concurrent, resolution passed by the U.S. Congress last year on the stic- cessful holding of the first-ever elections in Nepal has served as a source of great inspiration and en- couragement to the newly elected members of our Parliament in carrying out their duties and re- ‘ sponsibilities. Provision for fully representative for fundamental rights and due process of law, re- ..-. spect for freedom and dignity of the individual, - are some of the basic principles that underlie the ~- - _ Department of State Bulletin