UNSG says he does not anticipates extension of UNMIN term

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said he does not anticipate the extension of the tenure of the UN Mission in Nepal (UNMIN), he said the UN is prepared to offer continued support for the conclusion of the peace process and for the country's lasting development.

But he said his Special Representative and UN Resident Coordinator will provide whatever the new government, once formed, may request.

In a new report made public on Friday, Ban said despite last month's landmark Constituent Assembly elections, Nepal still has a long way to go in completing the peace process, UN news center said.

The UNSG described the CA polls as historic, adding that "the desire and commitment of the people of Nepal for peace and change was the driving force behind this success."

He also warned that "the election is only a milestone in the peace process," noting that "the real work of addressing the nation's deeper socio-economic difficulties and drafting a constitution that reflects the will of the entire nation only begins now."

Ban further said he was encouraged by the commitment and cooperation that the Maoists, who performed well at the elections, and called on the other
political parties to remain focused on long-term interests.

"Short-term differences should not distract them from governing by consensus and from cooperating in the vital task of constitution-making," he said.

"These are critical times for long-term stability in Nepal, and the United Nations will remain by the side of the people and leaders of Nepal in the historic tasks of political and social transformation on which they have embarked," Ban added in his report. nepalnews.com ia May 17 08