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United Nations & Nepal

Press statement by Ian Martin, Personal Personal Representative of the Secretary-General in Nepal

12 January

Following encouraging discussions on Nepal in the UN Security Council - and with UN monitors set to begin registering Maoist arms and combatants next week - Ian Martin, the Personal Representative of the Secretary-General in Nepal, declared from New York on Friday that: “The peace process has reached yet another key juncture, and we look forward to continued progress on both of these fronts.” Martin made his remarks after briefing the Security-Council on Thursday on the Secretary General’s new report in which he proposed a full-fledged UN political mission in support of the peace process in Nepal.

Following the closed-door discussions in the Council, Security Council President Ambassador Vitaly Churkin, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation, told reporters that Council Members were satisfied with the “positive dynamics” in the peace process and were inclined to respond positively to Martin’s calls for rapid approval of the mission and generous international support to the peace process.

“The members of the Council supported the need for speedy deployment of the UN mission in Nepal on the basis of the recommendations of the Secretary- General and within the parameters outlined by the peace agreement. A draft resolution on the subject will be prepared and at a proper time considered by the Security Council,” Ambassador Churkin said.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Personal Representative of the Secretary General confirms that it will begin next week the registration and storage of arms and the registration of Maoist army combatants at the cantonment sites under United Nations supervision. In Kathmandu today the Joint Monitoring Coordinating Committee held its sixth meeting to finalize arrangements. There are currently 30 monitors in Nepal – with one team operating out of Nepalgunj and the other from Kathmandu. The full advance team of 35 monitors will be in country by early next week.

The registration process will have a number of components. At each main cantonment site, a facility will be established where UN monitors, those assisting with registration and the Interim Task Force can carry out their duties. UN monitors will oversee the registration process. They will be assisted in this effort by seven registration teams organized by the United Nations Development Programme. The Interim Task Force will also be on hand during the registration, and their presence will allow for 24-hour monitoring of the arms storage containers under the single key arrangement.

In addition, the UN team expects to have the full advance contingent of 25 electoral experts on the ground this month.