While the NC and CPN-UML are of the view that Nepal Army should no longer be confined to barracks and put under UNMIN’s monitoring, the Maoists want UNMIN’s role widened if needed rather than reducing its role till the peace process ends. They argue that the conflict is over since the Maoists joined the government and emerged as a major party after the election to the Constituent Assembly. [break]
“There is no justification to monitor the Nepal Army [by UNMIN] as the conflict is over. It is also against the national respect,” said NC leader Dr Ram Sharan Mahat.
Peace Minister Rakam Chemjong said Nepal Army was kept under UNMIN’s supervision three years ago, fearing that the army might influence CA election. “So in the changed context, there is no need to confine the army into barracks.”
But UCPN-M has maintained that UNMIN should continue monitoring Nepal Army till the peace process ends.
“There will be two armies in the country till the peace process completes. So the army should be kept in the barracks,” said Maoist vice chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha.
Though the parties agree on extending UNMIN´s tenure, NC and UML want NA freed from UNMIN monitoring while Maoists want greater role, if needed, for the UN mission till the peace process ends.
The NC and CPN-UML have maintained that UNMIN should only assist the special committee on army integration and monitor 19,602 Maoist combatants and their arms.
But Shrestha said UNMIN should be given a greater role, if needed, to drive the peace process to a logical end. “UNMIN should be given an advisory role in the new mandate,” said Shrestha. “But it should not be understood that UNMIN should be given a role in matters that we can handle ourselves.”
Maoists are of the view that it would be easier for Nepal to make yet another request to the UN Security Council to extend UNMIN’s mandate if the mission is give a greater role.
NC and CPN-UML seem to have made up their mind that UNMIN’s mandate should be extended by a maximum of six months, hoping that the peace process will conclude by then. But Shrestha said his party wants UNMIN to stay here till the peace process ends.
Shrestha said his party has already hold discussions with NC and UML on UNMIN’s future. He however said the decision on UNMIN will be taken through consensus. UN is expecting Nepal’s decision on future of its political mission by April 26.
kiran@myrepublica.com
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