Cabinet okays six-month term extension of UNMIN; seven parties to make final decision
The cabinet meeting, on Wednesday, passed a proposal okaying extending the tenure of United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) by six months after it expires in January, say reports.
The meeting, however, did not decide on widening the mandate of the UNMIN. The UN had shown willingness to take up further responsibilities in implementing the agreements between the government and the Maoists.
The cabinet decision would now be put forth at seven party meeting for final decision after which a formal letter would be handed over to the UN requesting extension of UNMIN tenure.
Earlier, amid debates on possible extension of terms and responsibilities of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN), Foreign Minister Sahana Pradhan had said that this decision will be taken only after it is agreed upon by the seven parties.
“The cabinet alone cannot decide (on extending tenure of UNMIN),” Pradhan told reporters, Wednesday, after she emerged from the cabinet meeting.
“Since the UN was called by both the government and the Maoists, any decision regarding its term would have to be taken by the seven parties,” she said.
The term of UNMIN is expiring in January. It had been called jointly by the government and the Maoists for one-year period in order to monitor the management of arms and armies of both sides and oversee election.
Recently, UNMIN chief Ian Martin had said that the UN Security Council would positively respond to request (from Nepal) for extending its term. nepalnews.com sd Nov 15 07
