Nepal formally asks UN to monitor arms, armies

South Asia News

Nepal formally asks UN to monitor arms, armies

Kathmandu, July 4 (IANS) Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala's office has sent a formal request to the United Nations to monitor the arms and armies of Nepal's seven-party government and the Maoists during their ongoing ceasefire.

Deputy Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, who is also the foreign minister, told the state-run Radio Nepal station Tuesday that the government had sent a formal letter to UN secretary-general Kofi Annan.

This follows almost three weeks after the government and Maoists inked a pact agreeing to ask the UN to monitor the arms and armies of both sides.

The letter was sent to the UN headquarters in Kathmandu where officials said they would formulate a response as soon as they heard from the headquarters in New York.

The diplomatic measure marks a progress in the peace negotiations between the government and the rebels that had run into an impasse since the agreement was signed 18 days ago.

Though the Maoists have also agreed to obey a code of conduct, that includes putting an end to extortion, intimidation, abductions and killings, there have been mounting allegations of atrocities against them.

Besides being responsible for the death of nine civilians, the rebels have continued abducting leaders of mainstream political parties and recently sentenced a former municipal official to three years in their self-styled labour camp for taking part in the controversial election held by King Gyanendra's government in February.

The rebels have been counter-alleging that the army was still active in the districts and was inciting vigilante groups. While their chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda Monday called a halt to extortion and kangaroo courts in the capital and key towns, he added that voluntary donations would have to be raised to feed the guerrilla army.

Once the UN steps in, it is also likely to address the food and accommodation needs of the Maoists' People's Liberation Army (PLA).

Basically, the UN supervision would entail keeping watch over an arsenal where the weapons of the Nepal Army and PLA would be kept as well as separate barracks where the soldiers of both armies would be placed till a constituent assembly election is held to choose between retaining monarchy or going republic.

This is the most significant and advanced step taken so far in the peace negotiations, including three earlier rounds held in 1999, 2001 and 2003.

The government has also formed a committee to draft an interim constitution. Once it comes up with the constitution, a new government will be formed with the participation of the Maoists. The interim government would hold the constituent assembly election, which is also likely to be monitored by a UN agency.

Once the Maoists lay down arms under UN supervision, they would not have access to them even if they decide to end the talks. The step, therefore, would bear out the guerrillas' pledge that they are resolved not to resume arms but to iron out differences through dialogue.

While the Nepal Army, earlier known to be following instructions solely from the palace, has said it would obey the new government, it remains to be seen if it would agree to lay down arms under UN control.

The Koirala government had come under heavy criticism for the delay in approaching the UN formally despite the agreement.

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Nepal formally asks UN to monitor arms, armies