KATHMANDU, AUG 23 -
The government is seriously mulling an alternative to UNMIN which has been monitoring the arms and armies of Nepal Army (NA) and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) since 2007. Towards that end, it has started consultations with government officials and major political parties. Political parties have been sharply divided on whether the UN political mission should be given a new extension after September, with leaders of the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML supporting the Army’s position that UNMIN should leave in September. The Maoist party, however, has reacted strongly against the suggestion, saying that such a move would lead to the end of the already-perilous peace process. Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal on Monday consulted with senior government officials and decided to hold follow-up meetings with major political parties “very soon.” Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala, Nepal’s Permanent Representative to the UN Gyan Chandra Acharya, Chief Secretary Madhav Ghimire and Foreign Secretary Madan Kumar Bhattarai were among those present in a meeting called by the prime minister in the evening. “Apart from the Maoists, none of the political parties seem willing to give another term to UNMIN. The prime minister directed the mandarins of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to look into various international experiences and that of UN’s political missions elsewhere,” a senior official told the Post. The prime minister will also seek the opinion of the diplomatic community in Kathmandu, including from those whose countries are represented in the UN Security Council and India very soon. “He will hold a meeting with major parties before taking a final call,” said Press Advisor to the prime minister, Bishnu Rijal. In case of UNMIN’s exit, the Special Committee for the Supervision, Integration and Rehabilitation could be given the role of supervision and monitoring. Nepal’s position on UNMIN is being closely followed at the UN headquarters in New York where the 65th General Assembly (UNGA) takes place next month. Nepal is contesting in the crucial presidency of the GA. anwhile, the Nepal Army has intensified discussions with senior government officials and non-Maoist parties represented in the the Special Committee for the Supervision, Integration and Rehabilitation of Maoist combatants regarding the fate of UNMIN. “Army chief Gen. Chhatra Man Singh Gurung has handed over a three-page paper against UNMIN to the members of the Special Committee,” said a senior party official. “It argues why UNMIN should be removed from Nepal and questions its impartiality.” The paper suggests that the Special Committee would be the right body to replace the UN political mission. Gen. Gurung held discussions with Special Committee Chairman Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and its members Ishwor Pokharel (CPN-UML), Ram Sharan Mahat and Minendra Rijal (both from the Nepali Congress). He also talked with J.P. Gupta from the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum.
Posted on: 2010-08-24 09:48
