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SECRETARY-GENERAL
URGES UN TO MAINTAIN ITS HELPS FOR PEACE EFFORTS IN NEPAL: 10/01/08
(MaximsNews Network)
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UNITED
NATIONS - / MaximsNews Network / - 10
January 2007 -- In order to aid the Nepalese peace process ahead of the
Constituent Assembly election scheduled for 12 April, Ban
Ki-moon lengthening the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) for an
additional six months.
In his
latest report to the Security Council, Mr. Ban states that UNMIN should maintain
its existing configuration and staffing, “subject to some reduction in the
electoral staffing, taking into account the technical assistance already
provided, and other minor adjustments.”
An
agreement reached last month by the Nepalese Government’s Seven-Party Alliance
on key issues of the country’s transition to peace paved the way for the
holding the Constituent Assembly election, which had been postponed twice last
year.
Once
elected, the Assembly is supposed to draft a new constitution for Nepal, where
an estimated 13,000 people were killed during the decade-long civil conflict
that formally ended when the Government and Maoists signed a peace accord in
2006.
Mr. Ban
advises against any downsizing of the UN’s presence, stressing that it could
endanger prospects for a successful election in the newly agreed time frame.
“The deployment of international personnel to the regions and districts of
Nepal has consistently been regarded as a key factor in creating a free and fair
atmosphere for the election,” he writes.
“Not
only is such an atmosphere required in the last stages of the electoral process
but it also needs to be established with urgency for a successful election by 12
April,” he adds.
While
welcoming the decision by the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-M) to rejoin
the Interim Government – which it did on 30 December 2007 – Mr. Ban warns
that “the remaining political challenges, which could negatively affect the
electoral calendar, should not be underestimated.” Among these is the need to
respond to the concerns of traditionally marginalized groups.
In
addition, he notes that it will be difficult to ensure a credible and fair
ballot unless the State can provide security to its citizens during the election
period. “The Interim Government and the Seven-Party Alliance must give law and
order a very high priority.”
Along
with electoral assistance, UNMIN is also tasked with monitoring the arms and
armies of the former adversaries, the Maoist army and the Nepal Army, who are
confined to cantonments and barracks in the lead-up to the election.
In that
regard, the second phase of registration and verification of Maoist army
personnel – to ensure that no minors are serving – was completed on 23
December, Mr. Ban reports, adding that the next step will be to release and
reintegrate the “unqualified” personnel.
Labels: United
Nations, U.N.,
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