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VOL. 27, NO. 20, January 25, 2007 (Magh 11 2064 B.S.)
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Two Minds
Are Nepal’s donors mulling options amidst uncertain political situation?
By SUSHIL SHARMA
With deep uncertainty still hanging around the proposed constituent assembly elections, the governing seven-party alliance has decided to call a donors’ conference ahead of the polls.
The meeting is due to take place in the third week of February, less than two months before the polls.
The event is aimed at seeking the donor commitment of 3000 million dollars for the next three years of the just-out interim plan.
The amount is almost a third of the total plan outlay.
Given the fluid political situation, the authorities have decided to make the bi-annual event, better known as the Nepal Development Forum, a low-key affair.
Such a decision is also said to have been influenced by the lack of enthusiasm of some of the key donors.
Interestingly, less enthusiastic donors were those who used to be upbeat about the Maoist agenda in the past.
Sources said that some Nordic countries, who had soft corner towards the former communist rebels, had expressed reservations over the donors’ meeting.
They reluctantly agreed to the idea after many others including the biggest donors gave a nod to the Nepalese government.
Some contributors to the funding of the UN mission in Nepal (UNMIN) are also reportedly having second thought over continuing their financial contribution.
Considered crucial to the constituent assembly elections the UN mission in Nepal (UNMIN) has got its term extended for another six months.
But said a Kathmandu-based diplomat of a key European donor, “we will no way fund the UNMIN beyond its extended term.”
Said an analyst, “with doubts still persisting over the April polls, the donors appear to be readying themselves for an alternative.”
