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Donors concerned over threats to peace and development

Nepal’s development partners have expressed grave concern over the threats to peace and development in Nepal, especially the standoff in Terai, and have called for a peaceful solution.

“The international community expects a peaceful and democratic process of change. However, we note with grave concern the situation in the Terai, and we fully support efforts to address the current situation,” a joint statement issued by the participants of the Nepal Donors Consultation Meet said.

The consultation meet called by the Nepal government is to start in Kathmandu on Thursday. Asian Development Bank (ADB), Canada, Denmark, European Commission, Germany, Finland, Norway, Switzerland, UN, United Kingdom, World Bank, United States of America and Republic of Korea are participating in the conference.

The statement further reads, “Nepal’s future depends on its political leaders working together to take the country through these difficult times; implementing commitments and agreements made, supporting the rule of law, pushing forward with vital economic reforms that will create jobs, and delivering the development gains that only peace can provide.”

Describing the constituent assembly elections as a vital step forward, Nepal’s development partners also assured that they would continue to support measures to strengthen the peace process and to improve the delivery of development benefits to the people. “In all of this, we remain fully committed to helping the people of Nepal build the New Nepal they so desperately want, and so deeply deserve,” they said.

“Inclusive and credible elections, held in a free and fair atmosphere, are critical for the peace process. We support the full participation of women, Dalits, Janajatis, Madhesis, religious minorities and other excluded groups across the country. A representative Constituent Assembly is a long standing promise to the people of Nepal, and can help ensure that all Nepalis have a stake in the creation of a new and inclusive state.”

The donors also stressed that it is vital that the political leadership move ahead with implementation of agreements for the inclusion of all excluded groups in the civil service, the security forces and elsewhere, and discussions on the future of the armed forces in line with existing agreements.

“We also look forward to a New Nepal where human rights are respected, and impunity for past and present abuses is ended. Children’s rights should be addressed, and the orderly discharge of minors from cantonments, properly supported, should proceed without delay.”

The donor conference is intended to be a forum to discuss peace and development challenges in Nepal, and to seek support and build confidence in progress. Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala is to open the conference and a statement from Nepal’s development partners will be given by Liqun Jin, Vice President of ADB.

The conference, however, will not pledge any aid package. There will be another conference in April this year that will announce the development assistance. nepalnews.com mk Feb 20 08