Thursday, October 11, 2007

Govt failed to implement agreements: Martin

Ian Martin, the special representative of the United Nations Secretary-General today said the current crisis in Nepal has resulted due to the failure to implement agreements on certain key issues.
Addressing a press conference at his office today, he stressed that the UNMIN had to take a decision on the immediate future of its electoral personnel, while standing ready to provide whatever support is requested when the constituent assembly polls are rescheduled.
According to him, the lack of progress within the government to discuss the future of Maoist combatants, in ensuring adequate conditions in the cantonments and commencing serious parleys on security sector reform have all contributed to the Maoist concern that the government is not fulfilling its commitments.
"This is a moment when the political parties, civil society and all Nepalis should not just consider a new election date, but should focus on sustaining and deepening the peace process as a whole and develop a road-map of measures that are necessary to create the conditions for credible polls," he said.
He, however, refused to provide clear opinion on the electoral system and the declaration of a republic. "These are for the Nepalis to decide, just as this entire peace process has been a Nepali process," he said, adding that this would not be easy, and it is not for the UN to take a position on the two issues that would be debated in the Interim Parliament tomorrow.
He pointed out that Nepal's traditionally marginalised groups remain concerned that commitments made to them are not being fulfilled.
Reiterating that the UN would continue to assist the efforts to establish durable peace in Nepal, he said the latest report of the secretary-general would be made public next week and the week after that the security council will have a fuller discussion, when Martin himself would be in New York to brief them.
Martin added that the verification of Maoist army divisions in Rolpa would begin shortly. The UNMIN has completed verification at four of the seven Maoist army divisions.