PM proposes limiting UNMIN's role

KATHMANDU, AUG 26 -
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has floated the idea of downgrading the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) from a “political mission” to a “technical mission”, which will only monitor the Maoist army.

However, his own party Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal was not impressed with the proposal pitched during a high level consultation held in Singhadurbar on Thursday afternoon. Leaders of the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, Cabinet ministers, officials from the Foreign Ministry and non-Maoist representatives of the Special Committee and Technical Committee attended the discussion organised by the government to seek suggestions on the term extension of UNMIN.

According to a leader, the prime minister suggested that a small technical team comprising officials from the United Nations could be invited as an alternative to UNMIN to monitor the Maoists’ People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The prime minister proposed that the Nepal Army be kept out of the purview of the UN as the concept of “two sides” mentioned in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) has become irrelevant since 2008, after the Maoists joined the Interim Parliament.

Khanal, without referring to the prime minister’s proposal, however, stressed the need to “forge a political consensus before taking any decision” on the fate of UNMIN, whose term expires on Sept. 15. “UNMIN is needed in the country until the peace process reaches its logical conclusion,” UML General Secretary and Special Committee member Ishwor Pokharel told the Post. “But its mandate can be narrowed down in the changed context.”

During the one-and-a-half-hour long discussion, NC leaders supported the prime minister’s proposal to end UNMIN oversight over Nepal Army. They argued that UNMIN could be given an extension with a limited mandate focusing on the monitoring of Maoist combatants.

“The mandate fixed for UNMIN four years ago has now become invalid. We have suggested a revision,” said NC leader Ram Sharan Mahat.

“We listened to various opinions from leaders on the term extension. This is a preliminary consultation,” said Peace Minister Rakam Chemjong. “The government will consult with the Maoists and reach a conclusion.”

Some participants also suggested the government hold discussions with ambassadors of five permanent member countries of the UN Security Council before taking a call on the future of UNMIN.

Following the discussion on Thursday, a three-member task force comprising Nepal’s Permanent Representative to the UN Gyan Chandra Acharya, former Assistant Secretary of the UN General Kul Chandra Gautam and Retired Lt. Gen. Balananda Sharma has been assigned to prepare a proposal on the mandate revision.