A senior official of the United Nations, Kul Chandra Gautam, has reiterated that the world body is ready to extend its help in Nepal’s peace process.
Talking to BBC Nepali Service on Tuesday from the UN headquarters, New York, Gautam said the UN would be happy to take up the role of monitoring ceasefire, in managing the arms (of the rebels) and helping conduct the Constituent Assembly elections peacefully, among others.
“It would be easier for the UN (to help the peace process) if both the sides jointly sent their request to us,” he added.
“In our view, there is no need for international mediation (in Nepal),” said Gautam, adding, “Whatever the role will be there for the UN, it will involve some costs.. So, other UN members may have to come forward to meet the costs.”
Gautam said raising funds to finance UN operations in Nepal would not be that difficult if the Nepal government made requests before the international community.
He said the present team of the UN Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal could also help in monitoring the ceasefire.
Gautam said UN could send its civilian experts in helping the Nepali peace process. “In case, if we needed to send peacekeeping troops (for the management of the arms), the case will have to referred to the Security Council and the process may be rather complicated,” said Gautam. “What is important is that there is total consensus within Nepal,” he added.
When asked if India would accept the direct UN role in Nepal’s peace process, the senior UN official said he had heard that Indian position had become flexible compared to the past. “We have heard that India may not have any objection (to the UN involvement) but things are yet to become clear. Nepal, too, can convince India in this regard,” he added.
Gautam’s comments came in response to reports that both the government and Maoist rebels had agreed to invite to monitor the month-old ceasefire. A member of the Maoist negotiating team, Dinanath Sharma, told Nepalnews that the issue would be taken up during the second round of peace negotiations. He said the details were yet to be worked out.
Sources say the second round of peace negotiations is likely to take place next week as the Maoist negotiating team is said to be busy this week in preparation of its first major mass meeting scheduled to be held in Kathmandu on Friday.
Talking to BBC Nepali Service on Tuesday from the UN headquarters, New York, Gautam said the UN would be happy to take up the role of monitoring ceasefire, in managing the arms (of the rebels) and helping conduct the Constituent Assembly elections peacefully, among others.
“It would be easier for the UN (to help the peace process) if both the sides jointly sent their request to us,” he added.
“In our view, there is no need for international mediation (in Nepal),” said Gautam, adding, “Whatever the role will be there for the UN, it will involve some costs.. So, other UN members may have to come forward to meet the costs.”
Gautam said raising funds to finance UN operations in Nepal would not be that difficult if the Nepal government made requests before the international community.
He said the present team of the UN Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal could also help in monitoring the ceasefire.
Gautam said UN could send its civilian experts in helping the Nepali peace process. “In case, if we needed to send peacekeeping troops (for the management of the arms), the case will have to referred to the Security Council and the process may be rather complicated,” said Gautam. “What is important is that there is total consensus within Nepal,” he added.
When asked if India would accept the direct UN role in Nepal’s peace process, the senior UN official said he had heard that Indian position had become flexible compared to the past. “We have heard that India may not have any objection (to the UN involvement) but things are yet to become clear. Nepal, too, can convince India in this regard,” he added.
Gautam’s comments came in response to reports that both the government and Maoist rebels had agreed to invite to monitor the month-old ceasefire. A member of the Maoist negotiating team, Dinanath Sharma, told Nepalnews that the issue would be taken up during the second round of peace negotiations. He said the details were yet to be worked out.
Sources say the second round of peace negotiations is likely to take place next week as the Maoist negotiating team is said to be busy this week in preparation of its first major mass meeting scheduled to be held in Kathmandu on Friday.
No comments:
Post a Comment