Myrepublica.com: With the release of the video tape showing Maoist supremo Dahal saying that the number of PLA combatants was hiked, can there be re-verification now? Some senior leaders of various political parties and media also have forwarded this idea of re-verification.
Karin Landgren: Since Nepal´s peace process is nationally-owned, it is for the government and the parties to decide on the most constructive way forward. The verification exercise was long, complex and arduous; it took over six months, and ended in December 2007. Throughout the process, UNMIN worked in good faith along with Nepal´s political actors. The verification exercise was discussed in the regular meetings of the Joint Monitoring Coordination Committee (JMCC). The JMCC, including the Nepal Army (which is represented in this body, as is the Maoist army) was satisfied with the outcome and signed off on it. This was a long and difficult exercise, and it was taken very seriously. UNMIN´s hope is that the current political crisis does not delay the work of the Special Committee and the Technical Committee. It is up to the Special Committee to supervise and to make recommendations for the future of the former combatants, and it is high time for their future to be addressed.
Myrepublica.com: Given the present political deadlock in the country, what is the possibility of extension of UNMIN´s mandate period that formally expires on July 23rd? The Presidential Statement by the Security Council also said that the UN has to study the ground situation in Nepal in the coming days. Does this mean an extension?
Landgren: The question of seeking an extension of UNMIN´s mandate is up to the Government of Nepal and the parties here. The Security Council, which met on May 5 to consider the Secretary-General´s report and my oral briefing (both available at www.unmin.org.np) expressed its full support for the peace process, and for UNMIN. It also expressed serious concern at the current political situation. While the Security Council called on the Government “to make the necessary decisions to create conditions conducive for completing UNMIN´s activities by the end of the current mandate”, some members said that it was unrealistic to think this could be done by July 15. We are working closely with the Technical Committee and would like to see this technical work continue even while politics are deadlocked at other levels.
Myrepublica.com: What is your prescription for the current ´mistrust´ among the political parties?Landgren: Let´s call them recommendations! As the past few years have shown, when the political parties approach a common goal, they can move mountains. Nepal´s peace process has been remarkable in many ways, and this is the fruit of hard work and some brave decisions by the political parties. This is recognized internationally. And between January and April this year, there were several encouraging developments in the peace process, which have been greeted warmly by the Secretary-General and the Security Council. There are big challenges ahead, notably constitution-drafting and finding solutions for the Maoist army personnel. So the first recommendation is to invigorate the spirit of cooperation that can drive this forward. A few months ago there was talk of a new twelve-point agreement. Whether that is the way or not, a basic common vision of where this process needs to go is essential. Otherwise the peace process may drift. This moment is both historic and fragile. It´s not a moment for politicians to return to business as usual.
A second recommendation concerns the many agreements that are reached, but not implemented. The non-implementation creates fresh grievances, as always with broken promises. There was always a plan to have a high-level, multi-party monitoring mechanism. Many of the agreements are hard to implement and to monitor, whether we are talking about property, or missing persons, or discouraging acts of mutual vengeance. But they are important issues for the peace process. Let there be some sort of body that considers, objectively, the implementation of agreements. A third and rather simple recommendation would be for parties and leaders to show each other more respect in the political discourse. The Secretary-General´s report uses the term ´acrimony.´ The language used by political leaders can strengthen the Nepali people´s confidence in their leaders and in their institutions, and above all in the future.
Myrepublica.com: Phase of the peace process?
Landgren: The current political events are preoccupying, and mean a loss of momentum for several essential tasks. It´s a fragile moment, in which it´s vital that all parties show restraint and avoid violence and provocation. But many people have been sobered by the recent developments, and there is a lot of dialogue taking place, so I´m hopeful that this will turn out to be a constructive phase.
(Photos by Bikash Karki.)
akanshya@myrepublica.com
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