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Extend UNMIN stay: House panel
KATHMANDU, APR 08 -
With the expiry of UNMIN’s extended mandate barely a month away, a parliamentary committee has directed the government to extend the UN mission’s term and entrust it with additional responsibilities, if need be.
The International Relations and Human Rights Committee, after Thursday’s discussions with Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, said the government should allow the UNMIN to stay on till the end of the peace process.
The UN Security Council, responding to requests from the then Seven Party Alliance Government and then CPN (Maoist), had appointed the special mission in January 2007 to support the peace process. Its fifth extended term expires on May 15.
“We have directed the government to extend UNMIN’s stay with additional mandate, if necessary,” said Padam Lal Bishwokarma, the House committee chairman. “UNMIN’s presence is crucial.”
Prime Minister Nepal told the committee that the government was aware of the void that the UN mission’s departure might create. “At this critical juncture, the government, the people and all international friends of Nepal want to see the impartial and effective role of UNMIN in the peace process,” said the prime minister. He, however, kept short of committing himself to the extension of UNMIN’s tenure.
Still, parties remain divided over the possible future role of UNMIN. Prime Minister Nepal said inter-party discussions were under way to give the UNMIN more say in “technical aspects” of integration and rehabilitation of former Maoist combatants. During Thursday’s House discussions, Maoist lawmakers demanded “additional role” for the UN mission. “The mission has been endowed with a limited mandate. We should hold inter-party discussions and entrust it with additional responsibilities,” said Maoist lawmaker C.P. Gajurel.
Nepali Congress lawmaker Nabindraraj Joshi differed, saying UNMIN’s role should be revised before extending its tenure. He said the UN mission should act as an impartial body and support the government by sharing information on the number of combatants living in cantonments.
Lawmakers came down heavily on the government for criticising UNMIN. They said negative comments would frustrate the international community, including the UN, that is supporting the peace process.
On his part, the prime minister said individual political comments against the UNMIN would not hamper UN-Nepal ties.
Posted on: 2010-04-09 07:41
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