UNSC likely to extend UNMIN term

The ongoing meeting of the UN Security Council in New York is likely to extend the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN), Ian Martin who heads the operation, told reporters in New York on Friday.

One day after the 15-member body held closed consultations on the issue, Martin said the government and the leaders of the seven parties, including the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), have indicated their support for an extension of UNMIN term.

"Security Council members in discussion yesterday made very clear that they would give sympathetic consideration to a request from the government if such a formal request is made," UN News Centre quoted him as saying.

The foreign minister earlier said homework has begun to make formal application to the Security Council for extension of the UNMIN term for another one year.

Martin had discussed key concerns expressed by the Secretary-General in his latest report on Nepal, which says the country is at a crossroads.

"This crisis is not just the consequence of those two demands (put forward by the Maoists) but also stems from growing mistrust amongst the parties to the peace agreement that we have seen in recent weeks," he said, blaming failures on both sides to make good on commitments and agreements that have been made within the peace process.

The envoy has also expressed concern over the prolonged stay of the Maoist combatants in cantonments. "A prolonged stay in cantonments of thousands of mainly young people living under difficult conditions and lacking clarity about their future is not sustainable," he said.

Martin stressed the necessity of unity among the seven parties in coalition and their common commitment to the peace process which he said requires setting a new date for Constituent Assembly election together with a roadmap for future steps, including addressing issues related to public security, he said.

Martin repeated a call for the parties to take stock of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and its implementation.

"Expectations among Nepalis are high as to what UNMIN can do," he said. "While I do my best to encourage the parties to keep the overall process on track and offer UNMIN's advice as requested, we do feel constrained by an expectation that we should interpret our mandate narrowly and we ask ourselves – as concerned Member States ask us – whether Nepal is making full use of the supportive capacity of the United Nations."

He indicated the widening of the UNMIN role in the peace process if the government and the parties desired it especially assisting a discussion on the future of the country's security sector, including a managed transition from the currently temporary cantonments and arms management to long-term solutions and providing greater advisory support on promoting public security towards the Constituent Assembly election. nepalnews.com ia Oct 27 07