The UCPN (Maoist) on Friday asked the government to urge the United Nations Security Council for a six-month extension to UNMIN, whose term expires on Sept. 15.
Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Vice Chairmen Mohan Baidya, Baburam Bhattarai and Narayankaji Shrestha met Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and made this request. The official position of the Maoist leaders on the future of the UN political mission comes a day after the prime minister suggested downgrading UNMIN from a “political mission” to a “technical mission.” The discussion held at the Prime Minister’s Office couldn’t reach any conclusion after the Maoists objected to the government’s suggestion that the Nepal Army be kept out of the purview of UNMIN’s monitoring.
“UNMIN has been very instrumental in bringing the peace process to its current status. It should stay in the country till the peace process reaches its logical end,” Baburam Bhattarai told the Post. “Any attempt to create controversy against UNMIN or reduce its mandate would give a serious jolt to the peace process.”
Prime Minister Nepal, however, reiterated the government’s resolve to drop UNMIN’s monitoring of Nepal Army. The Maoist leaders stated their stand on UNMIN to envoys of the five permanent member states of the UN Security Council. Envoys of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China and Russia attended the discussion.
“We have requested the diplomats to support the extension of UNMIN with its current mandate,” said Bhattarai. “They have expressed their commitment to communicate our concerns to their governments.” The ambassadors stressed the need for “a common understanding” on the future of UNMIN so that it would be easier for the Security Council to make a quick decision on a high-stake issue.
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