YouSaid · the spoken record

Landgren

lines on the record: 355
first: 2009-05-05
most recent: 2023-11-14
sittings or episodes: 20
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“Should the Council decide to extend UNMIN's mandate as requested, we truly hope that the renewed commitment will bring tangible results and that the conditions will now be created for UNMIN to complete its work within the envisaged timeframe. UNMIN has remained continuously engaged with the major political actors to contribute to confidence in the peace process and to fulfil our specific monitoring tasks. The present efforts towards pursuing a peaceful and constructive way forward should be maintained and the principal political actors encouraged to continue the unity, leadership and focus of recent weeks. On behalf of UNMIN, I would like to convey a warm welcome to Ambassador Gyan Chandra Acharya, who in his previous role as Nepal's Foreign Secretary worked closely with my predecessor, Ian Martin, and with me.”
2010-01-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6260 (2010) · source
“Some actors maintain uncompromising positions. Threats, taunts and provocations continue to leach into the public discourse. The parties are quick to assert that fault for the failure of the peace process lies with the other side. The parties should be encouraged to make maximum use of the new space for constructive dialogue, which has been an area of strength overall in Nepal's peace process. The Government has requested the extension of UNMIN's mandate for three months and three weeks. That is linked to an ambitious timetable for the integration and rehabilitation of the cantoned Maoist army personnel, paving the way for UNMIN to depart with its task completed. We welcome that development.”
2010-01-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6260 (2010) · source
“The agreements on arms and armies have been respected by the parties to a significant degree. They are, however, increasingly under strain, which is all the more reason to move expeditiously towards completing the political steps foreseen for the peace process. The parties have recently sought greater common ground, giving rise to cautious optimism that progress can be made in the peace process. There are positions on the political left and right alike, however, that argue against the merits of peaceful resolution and adherence to the original agreements. Some speak of a fresh confrontation as being inevitable. Fears have not fully receded that the Maoists have reneged on their acceptance of the democratic principles laid down in the peace agreements, and that the Government lacks sincerity in implementing critical reforms.”
2010-01-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6260 (2010) · source
“For the record, the parties have made three agreements over weaponry outside the weapon storage containers: the Agreement on the Monitoring of the Management of Arms and Armies itself, which provides for the storage of most Maoist army weapons and of an equal number of Nepal Army weapons, and the use of 30 weapons for perimeter security at each main cantonment site and 15 at each satellite site; the agreement on the security of the Maoist leadership, which was signed in late June 2007 and which allowed 42 weapons of varying calibre to be carried by designated security personnel; and, finally, an informal understanding, amply referenced in the records of the Joint Monitoring Coordination Committee, that permits a weapon to be carried by Maoist divisional commanders, deputy divisional commanders and brigade commanders who command troops.”
2010-01-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6260 (2010) · source
“There have also been repeated allegations of breaches of the Agreement on the Monitoring of the 10-21022 Management of Arms and Armies. Those are rules that the parties themselves agreed to place on the Nepal Army and the Maoist army.”
2010-01-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6260 (2010) · source
“The past year was bookended by savage attacks on two female journalists - Uma Singh, who was killed in Janakpur on 11 January 2009, and Tika Bista, who survived her attack in Rolpa on 8 December. The serious clashes and provocations of late 2009 led many to draw UNMIN's attention to what they called breaches of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). Those allegations underscore the absence of a credible and independent national monitoring mechanism to determine whether or not the CPA is being implemented as foreseen. As the Council is aware, UNMIN's monitoring tasks concern breaches of the Agreement on the Monitoring of the Management of Arms and Armies, and not the Comprehensive Peace Agreement as a whole.”
2010-01-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6260 (2010) · source
“The Maoists, having returned land in many parts of the country that they had seized during the conflict, undertook a new and concerted land grab in the southern Tarai belt, as well as crop seizures, mostly in mid- and far-western districts. While the Maoists' declaration of autonomous provinces last month was largely peaceful, it was regarded as provocative in the light of the Constituent Assembly's responsibility for determining the new federal structure of Nepal. Several ethnically based organizations, some of them militant, are prepared to agitate for their respective agendas, including the establishment of ethnic-based states. In the prevailing climate of political pressure and impunity for crimes and human rights violations, it has become extremely difficult for civil society and the media to speak forthrightly about excesses.”
2010-01-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6260 (2010) · source
“There have been other signs of continued volatility in Nepal, including the fatal violent clashes in the far-western district of Kailali on 6 December and, more recently, among youth groups affiliated with political parties in several areas of the country, as well as the serious clash in Kathmandu on 20 December. In Bara district, members of the Terai Mukti Morcha reportedly shot and killed three members of the UCPN-M. on 6 January, with two others seriously injured. Fresh recruitment into the Nepal Army - in UNMIN's view, in violation of past agreements - continues to be mooted. While the Government recently announced its intention to review the structure of the security sector, it remains unclear how the right- sizing and democratization of the Army will be approached.”
2010-01-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6260 (2010) · source
“The uncertainty surrounding the post-28 May situation is one more reason for the parties to move ahead speedily with the integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist army personnel, with the conclusion of the constitution-drafting process and with the fresh elections that are to follow. As encouraging as recent developments have been, it is imperative to follow through and resolve the outstanding main tasks in the peace process. Until that happens, the peace process will remain at risk. There are various challenges facing the high-level political mechanism, including opposition within some of the political parties, while the proposed action plan for integration and rehabilitation appears still to require significant negotiation.”
2010-01-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6260 (2010) · source
“The interim constitution does not address the sequencing of those two events directly, nor does it link them. But the drafters assumed that integration and rehabilitation could take place within six months, while the constitution-drafting was expected to require two years and be completed by 28 May 2010. The question of whether or not the term of the current Constituent Assembly can be extended should more time be needed for constitution-drafting has been widely debated. Views differ on this and on the legal situation that would prevail should there be neither an extension nor a constitution by 28 May. It is important to ensure that steps be taken in a timely fashion so as not to create a constitutional vacuum.”
2010-01-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6260 (2010) · source
“The proper integration of an agreed number into the security forces and the re-absorption of others into society - with productive and meaningful lives ahead of them - require careful planning and implementation and an enabling political environment. UNMIN and the United Nations system as a whole remain available to extend appropriate support in that regard. UNMIN has engaged in active efforts to encourage the Government and the parties to take the steps that would allow UNMIN to complete its tasks and withdraw in a well-ordered manner. A timeline with benchmarks agreed upon by the major peace process actors is absolutely essential for that. The Government wishes to see the integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist army before the new Constitution is promulgated.”
2010-01-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6260 (2010) · source
“Finally, the Special Committee established to address the supervision, integration and rehabilitation of Maoist army personnel has resumed meeting and is considering a timetable within which the future of the more than 19,000 former combatants is to be resolved. The Special Committee has experienced significant delays under successive Governments. We encourage the parties to come to rapid agreement on the details of the modalities of integration into the security forces, and on rehabilitation. This is a critical element in the peace process, not only from the perspective of completing UNMIN's arms monitoring work, but, more important, for the future stability of Nepal. The integration and rehabilitation exercise pertains to the lives of close to 20,000 men and women who have military and combat experience fighting for a political cause.”
2010-01-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6260 (2010) · source
“Operational guidelines for monitoring are being developed. The Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction will make available educational and vocational support to the discharged personnel on an individual basis, with the support of the United Nations, which has worked diligently on the components of these support packages. I would like to pay tribute to the exemplary cooperation between the Mission and the United Nations country team. I would also like to acknowledge the valuable visit paid by Special Representative Coomaraswamy and her staff at a critical moment in the discussions leading to the signing of the action plan.”
2010-01-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6260 (2010) · source
“Two hundred and one of the originally registered 372 persons disqualified at this site received new civilian identity cards, and were offered a duffel bag with civilian clothing, a 10,000- rupee transition allowance from the United Nations and 12,000 rupees from the UCPN-M, as well as bus transport to six main destinations. At the first discharge ceremony, Maoist army commander Nanda Kishore Pun "Pasang" encouraged those who were about to depart to go on to new achievements. The process was smooth and the atmosphere jubilant. The scheduled end date is 8 February, and a United Nations team, referred to as the Monitoring Mechanism, will follow up for six months those who were verified as minors and discharged. UNICEF will lead the Monitoring Mechanism, with the participation of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.”
2010-01-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6260 (2010) · source
“After an arduous process of discussions, an agreement was secured on 16 December on an action plan for the discharge of the minors, signed by the Government, the UCPN-M. and the United Nations country team, and witnessed by the Minister for Peace and Reconstruction, Mr. Rakam Chemjong; Chairman Prachanda; the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy; and myself. Agreement on the discharge of the disqualified was a significant step and came after a protracted period of inaction on resolving the issue of personnel in the cantonments. Many of the disqualified appear already to have left the cantonments. The first discharge took place in main cantonment site 2, Sindhuli, on 7 January.”
2010-01-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6260 (2010) · source
“Girija Prasad Koirala, President of the Nepali Congress Party and former Prime Minister; Mr. Jhala Nath Khanal, Chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist); and Mr. Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda", Chairman of the UCPN-M, with Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal as an invited member. UNMIN has long underlined the need for an effective framework within which the peace process can be taken forward. In a third positive and long-awaited development, the discharge of the 4,008 personnel disqualified in 2007 as minors and late recruits began last week. As the Council will recall, nearly 3,000 of this group are persons disqualified as having been below the age of 18 at the time of the signing of the ceasefire in May 2006.”
2010-01-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6260 (2010) · source
“lifted its blockade of the Legislature-Parliament, apparently without the preconditions that had been under discussion since August, saying that they took this step in the interest of the peace process and to prevent relations with other parties from deteriorating further. I have repeatedly called on the Maoist leadership to allow the Legislature-Parliament to function and to respect and rely on democratic and institutional channels. Last week, on 8 January, the leaders of the three major parties announced the establishment of a high- level political mechanism dedicated to resolving outstanding peace-process issues, notably the integration and rehabilitation of Maoist army personnel, as well as constitutional issues. The initial members are the Chair, Mr.”
2010-01-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6260 (2010) · source
“Although the hour is late, the recent actions by the Government and the parties, if followed through with vigour, have the potential to usher in constructive actions for the next stage of Nepal's democratic transition. Since the middle of December, activity has revived on several fronts. The Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (UCPN-M) stopped obstructing the work of the Legislature-Parliament; the long- discussed high-level political mechanism was set up; the first discharge of the disqualified Maoist army personnel took place under the newly agreed action 10-21022 plan; and the Special Committee is now discussing a timeline for integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist army personnel. These developments may strengthen a consensual basis for moving forward. On 23 December, the UCPN-M.”
2010-01-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6260 (2010) · source
“The report of the Secretary-General now with the Council (S/2010/17) reflects a turbulent period, with contentious actions and statements by the parties. It warns of the grave danger that the prolonged period of polarization and growing confrontation poses to the peace process. As I reported on 6 November (see S/PV.6214), the fragility of the peace process, and the concerns that it could be derailed, remain real. In the past weeks, however, the leaders of the principal parties have demonstrated a renewed urgency in focusing on core peace-related matters. The 28 May deadline for the promulgation of Nepal's new constitution and the need to create the conditions that will allow UNMIN's role to be brought to an orderly end have generated intense discussion and reflection within and among the parties.”
2010-01-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6260 (2010) · source
“Ms. Landgren: I would like to say at the outset on behalf of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) that our hearts are with the people of Haiti and with our colleagues in the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti and their families in this time of sorrow and uncertainty. It is three years since the Security Council authorized the deployment of UNMIN, at the request of the then Seven-Party Alliance and the then Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) (CPN-M). The Mission's election-related tasks were completed, with some delays, in April 2008. UNMIN's continued support of the peace process, in particular through the monitoring of the management of arms and armies and the chairmanship of the Joint Monitoring Coordination Committee, has yet to be concluded.”
2010-01-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6260 (2010) · source
“We strongly encourage the parties to recall and to repeat the cooperation which has to date yielded such significant achievements. Let me conclude by expressing, on behalf of the United Nations Missions in Nepal, our warmest appreciation for Ambassador Madhu Raman Acharya for his efforts, engagement and support in our shared aim. It has been a pleasure to work with him; I thank him and we wish him all the best.”
2009-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6214 (2009) · source
“Until the parties establish a clearer framework for cooperation and find ways of moving forward on major elements of the peace process, it will be difficult to plot a structured exit for UNMIN. Three years on, a review of progress in the implementation of the major peace agreements may be overdue. The principal parties should also be encouraged to take stock of the state of the peace process. The parties themselves have repeatedly underlined their continued commitment to this process and their intention to see it through to a positive end. It would be tragic if the successes so far were permitted to unravel. Nepali politicians, civil society and commentators repeatedly draw to our attention their ability to produce agreements and consensus at the eleventh hour. It is still possible that these coming days will yield such a breakthrough.”
2009-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6214 (2009) · source
“The Maoists represent one party to the peace agreement and are the instrumental partner in the integration and rehabilitation of Maoist army personnel. They also hold close to 40 per cent of the seats in the Constituent Assembly, a decisive proportion in the context of the promulgation of a new constitution. In July, the Security Council called on the Government (see resolution 1879 (2009)) to continue to take the necessary decisions to create conditions conducive to completion of UNMIN's activities. The mandate of UNMIN, originally designed for supporting the election of the Constituent Assembly, cannot go on indefinitely. The present mandate will expire in 11 weeks. During this period, the parties need to arrest the loss of momentum and invest goodwill, realism and rigour in their pursuit of sustainable peace in Nepal.”
2009-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6214 (2009) · source
“It would appear to be in the interest of the democratic process for the parties to agree, pending the promulgation of the new constitution, on the ambit of presidential authority. Moving forward through consensus is the central challenge of the moment for the parties. As long ago as July 2008 (see S/PV.5938), my predecessor expressed concern at the breakdown of efforts to find consensus on the establishment of a coalition Government. The parties themselves have long recognized the need for a unity Government if the peace process is to be success. The impact on the peace process of a major party's being in opposition, as the Nepali Congress was previously and the Maoists are today, is evident, especially in the absence of other inter-party mechanisms to unite the parties and help address problems.”
2009-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6214 (2009) · source
“The Special Representative of the Secretary- General for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy, hopes to return to Nepal before the year is out to assess progress on discharge, which upon full implementation would open the door to removing the Maoists from the Secretary-General's list of parties using children in conflict. As noted in the Secretary-General's report, the Maoists have blocked the functioning of the legislature for all but one month since May, contending that the President's reinstatement of the Army Chief was unconstitutional. They have unsuccessfully called for Parliamentary discussion on the President's action, as well as measures to rule out a recurrence.”
2009-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6214 (2009) · source
“The Special Committee charged with the supervision, integration and rehabilitation of Maoist army personnel resumed its work on 1 September. Its Technical Committee has also resumed its work. Concrete progress on integration and rehabilitation is likely to depend on the existence of a favourable political environment. Similarly, a new effort is under way to move forward in the near future to discharge the Maoist army personnel disqualified through UNMIN's verification. On 11 October, Government teams briefed Maoist army personnel in the main cantonment and satellite camps in Sindhuli on the discharge process and on possible support packages. This was the first such contact. The Peace Minister, senior Maoist leaders, UNMIN and the United Nations country team are cooperating to develop the modalities for discharge.”
2009-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6214 (2009) · source
“In my recent discussions with the Maoist leadership, I have 09-59689 indicated how seriously we take the potential for confrontation and have urged restraint. In the current climate these protest actions carry a significant risk of confrontation and violence. The Government has placed the security agencies, reportedly including the Nepal Army, on high alert. The 22 governing parties have warned that the agitations are a breach of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. Some political actors have challenged the continued validity of the peace agreements. There is an urgent need to de-escalate the tensions and to find a framework for taking the peace process forward. The Secretary-General's report highlights the renewed effort being made to define the modalities for the integration and rehabilitation of Maoist army personnel.”
2009-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6214 (2009) · source
“Now, however, the Maoists - having found no resolution to their grievances, notably on the issue of the President's powers with regard to the Army - have stepped up their disruptive protests, and on 1 November initiated a nationwide protest programme. Talks between the parties are expected to continue, but now, four months after Prime Minister Nepal and Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda" agreed formally to take measures to resolve the stalemate, their talks remain inconclusive. While the Maoist protests have been predominantly peaceful, the past few days have seen low-level clashes in some eastern districts between the Maoist-affiliated Young Communist League and the Unified Marxist-Leninist Youth Force.”
2009-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6214 (2009) · source
“It is three years since the Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed and 18 months since Nepal's historic elections. The impasse that emerged following the events of May 2009, when the President revoked the Army Chief's dismissal and the Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (UCPN-M) consequently stepped down from the Government, remains unresolved. Despite continuing efforts, the level of trust among the major parties has continued to dwindle. Much of the past three months has offered a semblance of calm. Nepal's long festive season coincided with a sharp uptick in meetings among the large political parties and fewer street protests.”
2009-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6214 (2009) · source
“Ms. Landgren: The Secretary-General's report before the Council (S/2009/553) is being submitted pursuant to resolution 1879 (2009) of 23 July, which requested him to report, by 30 October, on the implementation of the resolution and on progress in creating conditions conducive to the completion of the activities of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) by the end of the current mandate, including implementation of the commitments made in the Nepalese Government's letter of 7 July (8/2009/360, annex). It surveys recent developments in Nepal's peace process. In brief, while limited progress has been made in the effort to give renewed impetus to the remaining tasks of the peace process, overall the process has faced protracted deadlock, with the added risk of confrontation.”
2009-11-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6214 (2009) · source
“In closing, I would like to again state my appreciation for the Council's close attention to the report and to the situation.”
2009-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6119 (2009) · source
“The largest group accounts for some 16 per cent of the population, so unity is the only answer and dialogue is the only satisfactory way to move forward. UNMIN - given our mandate - is not directly involved in that, but there is a need to continue to draw attention to it, and we will do so. I would like to mention that with the recent turbulent events, the National Development Forum which was scheduled for next week has been postponed. That Forum, which was bringing together high-level representation of multilateral and bilateral donors, has been an integral part of developing Nepal's new national development strategy. It is unfortunate that the Forum had to be delayed and we hope that it will come swiftly back on track.”
2009-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6119 (2009) · source
“The focus has been very much on security issues centring on the Nepal Army and the Maoist army. It is essential that the process be highly attentive to the rights and interests of various other identity-based groups. Clearly, the overriding national priority is the drafting of the new constitution, and that requires not only consensus at the level of the political parties, but also a sense of ownership on the part of all groups - the sense that they too have a place in the new Nepal, without recourse to violence. We have seen several incidents of violence and boycott over the past several months. That means maintaining an ongoing and inclusive dialogue with the traditionally marginalized parties and groups. As experts point out, Nepal is a country of minorities.”
2009-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6119 (2009) · source
“In the current context, the Joint Monitoring Coordination Committee (JMCC) becomes a particularly important mechanism, as in that forum, the Nepal Army and Maoist army come together under the chairmanship of UNMIN. Through all the rough patches of this peace process - and, as the Council knows, this is not the first - the JMCC has continued to meet and discuss; it has continued to bring together the Nepal Army and the Maoist army for discussions in a professional and civilized atmosphere. Now more than ever, I would suggest, this becomes an important dialogue forum for the armies. With regard to the discharge of minors, I see a risk that, at this moment, this could become a low priority politically. UNMIN will continue with the United Nations partners to help move this forward without further delay.”
2009-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6119 (2009) · source
“UNMIN is working very closely with the committees to provide them and the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction with the support that they need and request. However, I want to underline that the resolution of that issue is not primarily a technical matter. It will be a difficult political negotiation. Nonetheless, we will support the committees, which are expected to present detailed and realistic proposals, on the basis of which the political discussions can take place. The frustration among Maoist personnel is high at this stage, their having been in cantonments now for over two years, and it is essential that those discussions move forward.”
2009-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6119 (2009) · source
“UNMIN will act within the scope of its mandate and, as the Council knows, that is a limited mandate, but we will build on our contacts and on our strong dialogue with all political parties and the armies, as we have, I believe, what is acknowledged as an impartial role in the peace process. The immediate challenge will be the formation of a Government and progress in the elected Legislature- Parliament, without spoiling the process and inserting unconscionable delays into the procedure. There will be great temptations for that at this moment, and all parties will need to exercise restraint and show respect for the democratic process to which they have committed. There will be a need for a continuing technical role in respect of integration and rehabilitation of Maoist army personnel.”
2009-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6119 (2009) · source
“Ms. Landgren: First of all, Mr. President, let me thank you and other members of the Council for your kind words welcoming me to the Council and to United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) and for your appreciation for the work of my colleagues in UNMIN and in the Department of Political Affairs on the report (S/2009/221) before you. We have noted your comments regarding the next Secretary-General's report. The concerns of the present moment are indeed acute, and the Security Council's attention to and support for the challenges of Nepal's democratic transition is extremely important. Let me take as a starting point the question of what can be done, especially by UNMIN.”
2009-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6119 (2009) · source
“The parties should urgently take steps to rebuild trust and work together in the spirit of compromise and consensus that is needed to protect these achievements and to ensure further progress in the coming weeks and months. The next key steps - addressing the future of the Maoist army personnel and drafting the new constitution - will be extremely difficult to achieve without a greater degree of political cooperation and a common vision. An inclusive, concerted and well managed consultative process is vital to ensuring successful and timely outcomes for both issues.”
2009-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6119 (2009) · source
“Since January, issues relating to the Agreement on Monitoring of the Management of Arms and Armies and decisions by the Defence Ministry over the army have been brought to the Supreme Court, as has now the President's decision to countermand the Cabinet decision on the Army chief. This frequent recourse to the Court is a manifestation of weak political agreement and an absence of other effective mechanisms. A high-level, multiparty monitoring mechanism was envisaged in the peace agreements. It is still needed and should be formed. The peace process that Nepal has driven forward since 2005 has been remarkable, and the events of 2008 were of historic magnitude.”
2009-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6119 (2009) · source
“Unfulfilled commitments are the Achilles heel of the peace process, and they threaten the peace dividends that the people of Nepal expect and so richly deserve. Last year's elections marked a strong beginning towards fulfilling the commitment to greater political inclusiveness. The Government's subsequent dialogue with agitating ethnic and indigenous groups has remained fairly perfunctory, with weak follow- through. Security in the Tarai remains a matter of serious concern, with many active armed groups and general impunity for those engaged in violence. There is a risk that the latest political developments will divert the already limited attention being paid to these issues. 09-32451 In the present situation, there is a serious deficit of trust among the principal political actors.”
2009-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6119 (2009) · source
“Together with the United Nations Development Programme and UNICEF, we seek a successful discharge and reintegration exercise that meets international standards, with adequate access by independent monitors and genuine removal of the disqualified from military supervision. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal is mandated to monitor the human rights situation, advise the Government on human rights matters and provide technical cooperation to strengthen national human rights institutions. That mandate will expire on 9 June, five weeks from today. Its extension, for which Nepal's main political parties have expressed support, should not become a victim of the present fluid situation.”
2009-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6119 (2009) · source
“The question is whether the situation of the Maoist army can be satisfactorily resolved if the Maoists remain outside the Government. As the Council is aware, UNMIN now has a very substantially reduced presence in Nepal, with 275 personnel, including 73 arms monitors. UNMIN's priority is to encourage full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and, to that end, to conduct its monitoring responsibilities, including the management of the Joint Monitoring Coordination Committee, the dispute-resolution mechanism that brings together senior officers of the Nepal Army and the Maoist army. Since late March, UNMIN has led discussions with the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction on the discharge of disqualified Maoist army personnel, including minors.”
2009-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6119 (2009) · source
“A Technical Committee, established on 27 March, has spent its first three weeks in dedicated activity, undertaking consultations, including visits to Maoist army cantonment sites, and, after a short hiatus, has now quietly resumed meeting. Senior Maoist army personnel challenged the Technical Committee to act independently of party political affiliation, which the Committee has pledged to do. Under the peace process agreement of 25 June 2008, the Special Committee was to reach and implement decisions on integration and rehabilitation within six months. However, the Army chief has taken a restrictive stance on the integration into the Nepal Army of former Maoist army personnel. Even before the current political developments, both the Special Committee and the Technical Committee said that they were unlikely to be able meet that deadline.”
2009-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6119 (2009) · source
“The development of multiple power centres represents a real risk to the peace process. In announcing his resignation, the Prime Minister pledged to continue to fulfil his party's peace process commitments while in opposition. Many such commitments remain to be fulfilled - above all, the drafting of a Constitution and the integration and rehabilitation of Maoist army personnel. The Maoist army has only recently come under the authority of the State through the Special Committee - formed, in accordance with article 146 of the Interim Constitution, to supervise, integrate and rehabilitate Maoist army combatants - which held its first meeting on 16 January.”
2009-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6119 (2009) · source
“It was premised on the recognition that the decade-long conflict could not be resolved militarily. The Maoists hold 40 per cent of the seats in the Constituent Assembly - more than twice the number of any other party - and the Constitution cannot be completed without their support. Significant progress has been made, including the successful conduct of the elections, the ongoing work of the Constituent Assembly and the declaration of a Republic, which brought a peaceful end to the monarchy. However, many challenges remain. The challenges from the Army chief to control and oversight by an elected Government, and the countermanding of a Cabinet order by the President, have exposed ambiguities in the Interim Constitution and deepened mistrust among the parties, and they have also empowered actors who are expected to remain above politics.”
2009-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6119 (2009) · source
“had not consulted with its coalition partners. The Prime Minister had previously threatened to take his party out of the Government, if no satisfactory compromise were found, and he did so yesterday, 4 May. In his televised address to the nation, Prime Minister Prachanda urged the nation to respect the peace process and the letter and spirit of the Interim Constitution, saying that his resignation was intended to allow a way out of the ongoing political crisis. He criticized "foreign and international forces" for 3 interfering in Nepal's politics and for undermining national integrity and sovereignty. This is a volatile moment in Nepal's peace process. The aim of the process in 2005 was to end the war and hold a Constituent Assembly election towards building a more democratic Nepal.”
2009-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6119 (2009) · source
“On 3 May, the Cabinet, boycotted by some members of the coalition Government, formally decided to sack the Army chief, and the Prime Minister appointed the second-in-command of the Army, Chief of General Staff Kul Bahadur Khadka, to act in the top post. The Prime Minister also gave a letter of dismissal to General Katawal. Late in the evening of 3 May, the President wrote to the Army chief, instructing him to continue in his post. The President noted that the Interim Constitution designated him as the protector, patron and Supreme Commander of the Nepal Army and that steps taken by the Government to dismiss the Army chief and appoint a new chief had been constitutionally and procedurally incomplete. In a public statement yesterday, the President said that his directive did not violate constitutional provisions, as the UCPN-M.”
2009-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6119 (2009) · source
“The Prime Minister had said that he intended to resolve this issue through consensus and had reportedly secured the agreement of the leaders of the largest governing coalition partner, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) (UML), as well as the major opposition party, the Nepali Congress, to remove the Army chief. However, in the days after 19 April, the party political dynamics shifted rapidly and such agreements as there may have been fell apart. On 3 May, the UML pulled out of the Government, leaving the Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (UCPN-M) in a minority. The active profile of the President, Ram Baran Yadav, as those events unfolded raised constitutional questions and eroded relations between his Office and that of the Prime Minister.”
2009-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6119 (2009) · source
“In his response to the Prime Minister's Office, on 21 April, the Army chief reportedly stated that he had never challenged legitimate civilian authority over the Government, while also claiming that the Prime Minister lacks the constitutional authority to fire him. Since the elections in April last year, which brought the Maoists to power, senior Army officers have repeatedly asserted that only the Nepal Army stands 09-32451 between the country and totalitarianism. The Maoists have contributed to feeding such fears through continued references to capturing State power. On 24 April, some media sources carried a detailed account of plans for a military coup, sourcing the story to senior Army officers.”
2009-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6119 (2009) · source
“The second situation concerned the Army's reinstatement of eight retiring brigadier generals whose services were not recommended for extension by the Ministry of Defence, and the third concerned the withdrawal of Nepal Army participants from several events at the national games after Maoist army athletes were allowed at the last minute to take part. The issue of Nepal army recruitment and that of the brigadier generals' non-extension have been brought before the Supreme Court, which is expected to rule on both issues this month. The broad charge levelled by the Prime Minister was that the Army chief had repeatedly defied the authority of the elected Government.”
2009-05-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6119 (2009) · source