KATHMANDU, July 31: UNMIN chief Karin Landgren said Friday that the political leaders have expressed their commitment on the proposal for a high-level political consultative mechanism, which will decide on the implementation of the past agreements reached between the political parties and the Maoists, including the integration issue. [break]
She informed that during her meetings with Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala and Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, they all expressed their “commitment” toward the proposal for a high-level political consultative mechanism that would work as “a forum for discussion on critical issues confronting Nepal´s peace process.”
She added, “The Security Council resolution encourages renewed and sustained efforts to create a unified approach among the political parties, including through the parties´ proposal for a high-level political consultative mechanism,” Landgren said while addressing a press conference organized at UNMIN Friday.
UNSC Resolution 1879 extended UNMIN´s mandate until 23 January 2010.
Landgren, however, expressed concern at the delay caused in the peace process and pointed at the “mistrust” among the parties and “divisions” within them. Landgren said, “The work of the Special Committee stalled in May, and has remained at the standstill.”
Landgren informed that the UNSC has welcomed the recent decision of the government of Nepal to launch the discharge of 4,008 minors from the cantonments. Moreover, she laid stress on the “early reconstitution” of the Special Committee which would be responsible for supervising, integrating and rehabilitating the Maoist combatants.
She further said that it is “critical that all parties show restraint in words and in actions,” adhere strictly to the peace agreements, and that they “articulate a common vision” for a peaceful path ahead.
Referring to the Defense Minister Bidya Devi Bhandari´s India visit, Landgren said that the UNMIN “strongly discourages” any action by either the Nepal Army or the PLA which would hamper the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
Responding to a query on the political leaders´ comments on the integration of the combatants, Landgren said that it is for the Special committee to decide on the integration.
She added that UNMIN´s own exit would be based on the progress of the peace process and she hoped that the process would end by January when UNMIN´s term expires. She said that the political mechanism should determine a “road-map” ahead to take the peace process to its logical end.
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