KATHMANDU, NEPAL, June 29, 2001: The new Nepalese King, Gyanendra, making his first address to parliament after ascending the throne earlier this month, has said he remains committed to a constitutional monarchy and multi-party parliamentary democracy. The King pledged to continue the policies of his slain predecessor, Birendra. The royal address is a customary parliamentary procedure in which the King outlines the annual policies and programs of the government. King Gyanendra called for a joint effort to translate the late King Birendra’s ideals into action and speed up economic development. King Birendra won praise at home and abroad for the role he played as a constitutional monarch after he gave up absolute power in wake of a pro-democracy movement a little over a decade ago.
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