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| VOL. 28, NO. 21, Feb 05, 2009 (Magh 23 2065 B.S.) |
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New Phase
The UNMIN chief Ian Martin, who was closely involved in the peace process, is departing even as the Security Council extended the mission's mandate by six more months
By A CORRESPONDENT
In a parting press conference Martin addressed at the Reporters' Club on Monday (February 2), he steered clear of the contentious issue of Nepali Army's recruitment drive.
"I don't want to fuel that controversy further today. We have made very clear the basis for our position. I think there's now agreement amongst those concerned that this needs to be addressed by discussion amongst those concerned and I hope that a satisfactory conclusion can be reached," he said, in a clear reflection of the yawning differences among major political parties on this issue.
That apart, Martin made some candid comments at the press meet. On the issue of whether the country is veering towards authoritarianism, he said, "When people ask me if I am worried that Nepal may see a drift to some kind of authoritarianism, my answer is that the democratic spirit in Nepal is now too strongly alive for that to be a possibility even if some people wanted it. And, I have had the privilege to be in Nepal during Jana Andolan in 2006, and during the Constituent Assembly election, and I have no doubt that people of Nepal who had their say, who demanded peace and change on both those two occasions will insist that Nepal maintains a democratic country in which they have full freedom of expression."
Terming Nepal's peace process as 'extraordinary,' he said that the 'completely indigenous process' had made great achievements including the election of an inclusive Constituent Assembly, peaceful transition to a republic.
"But, of course, there are big challenges still remaining – big challenges for the peace process. As I have said many times, at the end of any armed conflict the future of those who fought in the armed conflict is a crucial issue that must be successfully addressed, and that's why we have consistently pressed for the process that the parties agreed upon, the Special Committee to supervise, integrate and, rehabilitate Maoist combatants, for that process to get underway and I am happy that at last it has got underway," he said.
"And then perhaps the biggest challenge of all will of course be reaching consensus on a federal constitution at a time when people have different views about what federalism should mean in Nepal," he added.
Martin also made a strong reference to what he called as continuing culture of impunity. "There won't be full security in Nepal as long as a culture of impunity prevails. And having come to Nepal with a human rights responsibility, I am sorry to leave three and half years later still having seen none of the major human rights crimes, either of the armed conflict or that have been perpetrated since the end of the armed conflict, effectively prosecuted. And rhetorical commitments to end impunity need to change into a real commitment by all political parties to support the justice system in bringing people to justice even when they are members or supporters of their own political parties, rather than protecting supporters from justice."
He had been involved in the peace process of Nepal for last three and a half years. He will be replaced by Karin Landgren. The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has already informed the Security Council of his intention to appoint Karin Landgren of Sweden as his Representative in Nepal. Landgren is no stranger to Nepal, having served as the Secretary-General's Deputy Special Representative in Nepal since September 2008.
Meanwhile, last week, the Security Council unanimously agreed to extend for six months the mandate of the UNMIN and endorsed plans for a further, gradual drawdown of the operation.
The 15-member body adopted Resolution 1864 which extends UNMIN's mandate, which expired on January 23 until next July 23. The British-drafted text also endorsed UN chief Ban Ki-moon's recommendations for a further "phased, gradual drawdown and withdrawal of UNMIN staff, including arms monitors."
