The best overview of where things stand is probably Ian Martin’s last statement to the Security Council in January. It not only gives where things stand, but looks back at the beginning of the (peace) process. I was in New York at the beginning of the month (March) and the time I left here, there was a cause for concern because the recruitment issue had blown up again, Tarai was paralyzed by strikes. Now, a few weeks later, I feel cautiously more optimistic on the army integration front. The Army Integration Special Committee (AISC) is, I understand, meeting weekly, which is a very positive development. This week, it is supposed to establish the technical committee (which was officially formed on Friday). I think it will establish its secretariat as well and we have been given some positive messages on discharge of the disqualified combatants. It has been long overdue and the AISC should implement its earlier decision to release the minors as soon as possible. So, those are some of the specific issues of concern to UNMIN. I think this process (discharge of minors from cantonments) can’t be delayed further. International reaction will be very, very strong. This issue will continue to be a major political irritant for the government if they don’t take steps quickly to release them. On the peace process overall, it is essential that the parties find a way of re-establishing the climate of trust and confidence that allows them to come to the peace agreement in the first place.
And, that climate has been strained repeatedly over the last several months. One positive development is that the Prime Minister has, on a few occasions, convened seven party meetings to discuss issues of national concern – most recently, I believe, over the Tharu bandh. A platform that brings together the major parties seems to me critical for the peace process to move forward.
#PeaceProcess #Elections #Democracy
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Publisher:
UNMIN
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(2009
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Type / Script:
Bulletin or Poster
in English
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Keywords:
PEACE PROCESS, ELECTIONS, DEMOCRACY, PEACE AGREEMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE, POLITICAL PARTIES, POLITICAL PARTICIPATION, MAOIST ARMY, ARMIES, ARMED FORCES, LAW, CIVIL SOCIETY
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Thematic Group:
UNMIN
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Peace and Conflict through Political Mission
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Thesaurus:
15.04.00
- Communication And Mass Media
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Reference Link:
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