Maoists propose six-month extension for UNMIN

KATHMANDU, Sept 6: The UCPN (Maoist) has proposed to extend UNMIN´s term by six months. The Maoists made the proposal at the meeting of the Special Committee on Supervision, Integration and Rehabilitation of Maoist Combatants on Monday.



"It will send a wrong message if UNMIN´s mandate is not extended now," Maoist leader Barsha Man Pun who was present at the meeting said. [break]



"We said we were ready to discuss and resolve the issue through political consensus if the army was facing problems participating in the peacekeeping mission and purchasing weapons," Pun said, adding that the government was positive about their proposal.



The meeting also extended the term of the Technical Committee till the end of Paush [mid-January].



Nepali Congress leader Dr Ram Sharan Mahat said UNMIN´s term should be extended but the army shouldn´t be kept under its supervision.

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