Preliminary Phase Begins
As the country gets new interim constitution and interim parliament with Maoist representatives, the preliminary phase of arms management, too, has begun
By SANJAYA DHAKAL
As per the agreement among the eight parties, the 15 th of January witnessed not only the promulgation of interim constitution and the formation of interim parliament including Maoists, it also saw the UN monitors engaging in final works in preparation of registration of arms and combatants of Maoists.
“General Jan Erik Wilhelmsen on Monday completed an inspection of final logistics preparations for arms registration at the PLA 3rd Division cantonment site in Chitwan. On Tuesday, he will complete an inspection at the PLA 4th Division cantonment site in Nawalparasi as part of the process of initiating registration of arms and combatants. Registration is then due to commence,” states a statement issued by the Office of the Personal Representative of Secretary General (OPRSG) in Kathmandu on January 15.
“All 35 members of the advance monitoring team for monitoring arms and armies have now arrived in Nepal ; 15 monitors are deployed (one team in Kathmandu and one out of Nepalgunj); the second group completes its training Tuesday, and will be deployed this week.”
The OPRSG also informed that the chief electoral advisor, Fida Nasrullah has arrived in Nepal on the same day and has started work immediately.
Last week, the OPRSG had informed that it would begin the registration and storage of arms and registration of Maoist combatants from early this week. After the meeting of the Joint Monitoring Coordination Committee (JMCC) held on Friday (January 13), the OPRSG issued a statement confirming that it will begin next week “the registration and storage of arms and the registration of Maoist army combatants at the cantonment sites under United Nations supervision.”
The JMCC meeting was held to “finalize arrangements” for the purpose. “The registration process will have a number of components. At each main cantonment site, a facility will be established where UN monitors, those assisting with registration and the Interim Task Force (team of ex-Gurkhas) can carry out their duties. UN monitors will oversee the registration process. They will be assisted in this effort by seven registration teams organized by the United Nations Development Program. The Interim Task Force will also be on hand during the registration, and their presence will allow for 24-hour monitoring of the arms storage containers under the single key arrangement,” the statement adds.
The 111 members of the ITF, the ex-Gurkhas have also completed brief two-day training and are poised to start the job of monitoring the arms management. The ITF members will be dispatched to the cantonment sites to maintain the 24-hour presence at weapons storage sites till the full team of the UN monitors take over the job from them.
The ITF members received training from the UN officials, and representatives of Nepali Army and Maoist army. According to reports, 14 ITF members will be sent to each of the seven main cantonment sites while the rest will be stationed in Kathmandu .
In New York , last week, Security Council took up the proposal on Nepal presented by Secretary General Ban Ki Moon. Ian Martin, the Personal Representative of the Secretary-General in Nepal , said, “The peace process has reached yet another key juncture, and we look forward to continued progress on both of these fronts.” Martin made his remarks after briefing the Security-Council on Thursday on the Secretary General’s new report in which he proposed a full-fledged UN political mission in support of the peace process in Nepal .
Following the closed-door discussions in the Council, Security Council President Ambassador Vitaly Churkin, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation , told reporters that Council Members were satisfied with the “positive dynamics” in the peace process and were inclined to respond positively to Martin’s calls for rapid approval of the mission and generous international support to the peace process.
“The members of the Council supported the need for speedy deployment of the UN mission in Nepal on the basis of the recommendations of the Secretary-General and within the parameters outlined by the peace agreement. A draft resolution on the subject will be prepared and at a proper time considered by the Security Council,” Ambassador Churkin said.
