Matthew Kahane, UN resident coordinator in Nepal, in an interview with The Kathmandu Post on Wednesday, said that the UN will not interfere in the negotiations between the government and the Maoists.

Kahane added that there was a misunderstanding regarding the term ‘mediation’ and clarified that mediation should not be interpreted as interference.

Emphasising that the government and the Maoists must recognise the existence of each other and their respective strengths, he stressed the need for confidence building measures to ensure successful negotiations.

“Both sides must have the confidence that the other side will and can implement the decision reached,” the daily further quoted Kahane as saying.

The resident coordinator also clarified that the Kathmandu based UN office has never talked about imposing mediation on Nepal.

Saying the UN was at the service of its member states, Kahane hinted that UN was willing to mediate, if the government invites them. However he was quick to clarify that a UN based mediation would not mean that the UN “recognises” the Maoists.