KATHMANDU, NOV 28 -
The ambassadors representing the UN Security Council (UNSC) members have stepped up consultations to send a collective message to the political parties in Nepal. They have particularly a strong message for the Maoists. Last Monday, German Ambassador Verena Gräfin von Roedern, the newly elected non-permanent member, called on the Maoist party to detach itself from the combatants, a position that has already been voiced by the American and British envoys here.
"On the political front everybody is worried that UNMIN leaves without there being a set-up to take over certain responsibilities regarding the arms and armies," said a Western diplomat.
"If not now, when?" said another diplomat. With this close to the two very important deadlines-UNMIN's exit after Jan. 15 and statute drafting by May 28-there is a growing sense among the UNSC members that Maoists as the largest party in the Constituent Assembly has to take the lead.
"While the statements are aimed at the Maoists-as they're the ones who have to meet their CPA and subsequent commitments to separate the PLA from the party-it is also clear that flexibility is required on all sides to allow the integration and rehabilitation process to begin," said one Western embassy official referring to the statements issued by the American, British and German ambassadors.
"No one should be surprised that the ambassadors have commented on the importance of this very current issue-the international community has repeatedly urged all the parties, including the UCPN (Maoist)-to take concrete steps to consolidate peace including through the demobilisation of all paramilitary groupings," said a spokesperson for the British Embassy
The international community has concluded that without the Maoists dissociating themselves from the combatants, the trust deficit cannot be overcome to further the peace process.
Last Saturday, 14 heads of diplomatic missions including three UNSC members issued a statement calling for the parties to prioritise the peace process, especially integration and rehabilitation of the former Maoist combatants.
Lack of progress on the integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants and assessing the structure of the Nepal Army are central and urgent than ever before in light of UNMIN's scheduled departure on Jan.15, read the statement issued to mark the 4th anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
The Maoists had agreed with the parties to complete the integration and rehabilitation of its combatants within six months in the seven-point agreement signed on June 25, 2008. Following this, the Interim Constitution was amended to allow the formation of a Maoist-led majority government.
"The country will not bear any responsibility for verified combatants who have not been integrated or rehabilitated after six months," stated the agreement.
But two and half years later, the international community finds the continuing use of combatants as a bargaining tool untenable. "Don't the Maoists realise that holding onto the combatants for so long is bound to make it a political liability?" said the Western diplomat. While the United States, Britain and other members of the international community say that they will continue to extend their support beyond UNMIN's departure, but the uncertainty about the post-UNMIN scenario is making them apprehensive.
Posted on: 2010-11-28 09:24
http://www.ekantipur.com/2010/11/28/top-story/envoys-urge-maoist-to-toe-cpa-line/325735/
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