Martin welcomes signing of arms management accord



Ian Martin (File Photo)

Personal Representative of the United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, to assist in Nepal's peace process, Ian Martin, has welcomed the signing of the tripartite agreement between the government, the Maoists and the UN.

Issuing a statement on Tuesday, Martin said, "I am very pleased to see that the negotiations between the Government and the CPN(M), with the assistance of my team, have reached an agreement on the key details required for the UN to provide effective monitoring of arms and armies."

Martin further said that the agreement is now being reviewed in New York, and comes at a very important time, as the Security Council considers the Secretary-General's response to Nepal's request.

"It sends a very positive signal about the momentum of the peace process in Nepal," Martin noted.

Martin is currently in New York to brief UN Secretary General about the progress on ongoing peace process in Nepal.

Earlier UN Secretary General has written to UN Security Council president with regard to the peace process in Nepal for immediate assistance on it. The Security council is reviewing the UN Secretary General's proposal.

Martin will sign the agreement on behalf of the UN, submitted to the UN team by the government and the Maoists after the after the world body's legal cell goes through and approves it.

The UN team led by Martin has been saying that the team's formal work of monitoring and verification of the Maoist combatants has been delayed due to delay in signing of tripartite agreement. nepalnews.com pb Nov 29 06