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Int’l community welcomes peace accord

The international community has been quick to welcome the landmark peace agreement signed between the government and the Maoists on Tuesday, which formally ended the decade-long civil war.

All major international partners of Nepal including the United States, India, Japan and the United Nations responded positively to the Comprehensive Peace Accord and expressed optimism for sustainable peace and democracy here.

Welcoming the agreement, India said the "critical test" would be the implementation of the agreement on the ground and emphasised that it stands ready to help in every way.

"We believe the agreement reflects overwhelming desire of the people of Nepal for peace and stability," India’s official news agency PTI quoted External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna as saying.

Serna added, "We hope this agreement brings to an end the politics and culture of violence and heralds the beginning of a lasting peace in order to let the people of Nepal exercise their right to decide their destiny through free and fair elections without intimidation."

Similarly, issuing a welcome statement immediately after the signing of the peace accord last evening, the US Embassy said, “We hope this step will place Nepal on the path of lasting peace and democracy. We want the peace process to work and we pledge our full support.”

The US Embassy also stressed that the peace accord should mean complete end to intimidation, forced recruitment and extortion. “The Nepali people, who have lived in fear for 11 years, deserve a chance to live without fear and choose their form of government in fair elections,” the Embassy release said.

United Nations Secretary-General’s personal representative, Ian Martin, in a statement termed the peace accord as a ‘Nepali achievement’ and that both sides involved in the talks were to be congratulated for their efforts in signing an agreement.

Mentioning that the Secretary-General intended to quickly move towards the UN role in the peace process, Martin hoped that a tripartite agreement (government-Maoists-UN) for management of arms and armies would be reached soon.

Likewise, the Japanese Embassy in a statement said, "Japan values this agreement as it sets out a concrete course for the consolidation of democracy and the realisation of lasting peace in Nepal.”

Japan also expressed hope that this agreement would be implemented sincerely and the election to constitutional assembly would be conducted in a free and fair manner.

Norway and Switzerland also hailed the peace accord and expressed optimism that this agreement would bolster democracy and pave the way for development.

Meanwhile, the America-Nepal Friendship Society, Inc (ANFS) has welcomed the peace agreement with optimism. “We applaud and commend both parties for committing to a peaceful solution through which the over-a-decade-long conflict which has caused so much turmoil and upheaval in Nepal can be resolved,” an ANFS statement said.

“We acknowledge that the process for establishing peace and political stability will require much diplomacy and the establishment of common ground and consensus amongst those with differing viewpoints. We are reminded of the great achievements of our shared ancestors, and implore those in positions of leadership to remain steady in their commitment to the future of a unified Nepal,” the statement further said. nepalnews.com mk Nov 22 06