We are worried that the peace process is stuck

Oped >> Interview

OCT 13 - B. Lynn Pascoe, a veteran U.S. diplomat, is currently the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs at the United Nations. As one of the most important UN political missions is currently in Nepal, part of his responsibility involves keeping track of the peace process here. Akhilesh Upadhyay, during a recent visit to New York, spoke to him about the UN’s current views on the peace process and where it is headed. He said that UN encourages all outside players — whether the members of the Security Council or India, for instance — that they must help Nepal find its own solutions.

Q: How do you view the current state of peace process?

Pascoe: The peace process had its ups and downs and there have been good times. But there is concern on our part that any process like this needs to keep going and keep moving. If it loses its momentum it can lead to a dangerous situation. One of the amazing things for me watching the process for last couple of years was that things were going along and when it looked liked things were tough, parties would come together and work out a compromise and move on to the next stage and make it work. There was always self interest; this was politics after all and we understand this. But what is worrying to us is that we haven’t seen that push forward again. It seems to have gotten stuck in too much political bickering and arguments. So from our point of view watching these things and trying to help worries us. We hope this will move forward.

Q: What could be the role of the UN? Where could be the pressure points?

Pascoe: Across the board where we do such work, be it Nepal or any where else the UN job is to support the process, at times have some ideas or provide some mechanisms that help resolve disagreements that parties to conflict may be having. We have a clear mandate with UNMIN and we are working hard at carrying out that mandate. We have been trying to help whenever possible with the political structure. But we clearly need to move on getting people out of the cantonments. We are not interested in being there for ever. It is up to the leaders of the country to run its affairs. We are just trying to help. We can give some assistance but this has to be worked out among the politicians of Nepal.

Q: A key player in making the peace deal between the Maoists and the parliamentary parties possible in 2005 was New Delhi. Would you like to comment on Delhi’s current role?

Pascoe: We obviously talk with the Indians on various issues just like we do with others interested in the process. They are going to carry out their interest. This is normal and we expect this to happen. From our point of view and what we always encourage all outside players whether the members of the Security Council or India, is that we must do all we can to help Nepal find its own solutions to come up with right answers. And Nepali politicians have done a good job up to now and we need this to go on happening. Frankly it’s easy to blame outsiders for something not happening, when it is really the responsibility of the people who are inside to make it happen. So that’s where we would provide encouragement.