KATHMANDU, May 9 (Xinhuanet) -- US Ambassador to Nepal James F. Moriarty has said that efforts are being made to resolve the prolonged Bhutanese refugee problem.

    "We are well informed about the protracted problem. We will try to find a solution by holding talks with Nepal, India and Bhutan (if possible)," the US envoy said Monday after inspecting a refugee camp at Goldhap of Jhapa district in eastern Nepal.

    The ambassador, accompanied by United Nations High Commissionerfor Refugees (UNHCR) Representative to Nepal Abhram Abhram, made a surprise visit to the refugee camps in Jhapa district on Sunday.

    Moriarty also urged the refugees to be hopeful about early solution to the problem.

    Earlier, refugees of Goldhap camp had submitted a collection ofsignatures to the US ambassador, urging him for help to settle thedeadlock.

    Several rounds of ministerial-level talks between Nepal and Bhutan have ended in deadlock. The refugee community, which has been demanding respectful repatriation to Bhutan, has become readyto consider two other options that of localization in Nepal or a third-country settlement.

    About 100,000 Bhutanese refugees have been living in eastern Nepal for more than 10 years after they were evicted from Bhutan in early 1990s. Enditem