After weeks-long uncertainty, the government and the CPN (Maoist) finally sent separate letters but with the same content to the United Nations (UN) on Wednesday asking the world body to assist in the country’s peace process.

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Maoist chairman Prachanda from left to right (File Photo)

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Maoist chairman Prachanda from left to right (File Photo)
Coordinator of the government and Maoists talks teams, Krishna Prasad Sitaula, and Krishna Bahadur Mahara, handed over letters to the acting Resident Coordinator of the UN system in Kathmandu, Abraham Abraham, from their side at a press meet organized at the Peace Secretariat within the Singha Durbar premises this afternoon.

Sitaula, who also holds the Home portfolio, that though they handed over the letter to the UN separately, the content of both the letters remained same. Officials, however, did not provide the full text of the letter to the media. No reason was given. Copy of only part of the letter was distributed to the media personnel.

Both the sides have sought the world body’s help in five areas.

Both the government and the rebels have agreed to request the UN to continue monitoring of Human Rights through the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal, to assist in monitoring the 25-point code of conduct reached between Maoists and the government during the ceasefire.

Coordinator of the government peace talks team Krishana Prasad Sitaula (left) handing over the joint letter of the govt., Maoists to the Acting Chief of the UN system Abraham Abraham (right) in a press conference at the Peace Secretariat, Wednesday, Aug 09 06. nepalnews.com/rh

Coordinator of the government peace talks team Krishana Prasad Sitaula…
Similarly, both the sides have asked the world body to deploy qualified civilian personnel to monitor and verify the confinement of CPN-M combatants and their weapons within designated cantonment areas.

“The modalities for all agreements, including of arms and munitions, will be worked out among the parties and the UN,” the letter said.

Both the sides have sought the UN’s help to monitor to assure that Nepali Army is inside barrack and is not being used for or against any side in order to ensure free and fair elections to the Constituent Assembly. They further said the modalities shall be finalized letter.

The UN has also been requested to observe the election process to the Constituent Assembly. The date for Constituent Assembly elections are, however, yet to be fixed.

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Maoist chairman Prachanda signed the letter after an hour-long meeting at the former’s official residence at Baluwatar this afternoon.

The high level UN team led by Staffan de Mistura– that returned to New York via New Delhi after completing its assessment visit of Nepal last week– had asked the government and the Maoists to find consensus on the issue of arms management. Earlier, the government and the Maoists had sent separate letters to the UN Secretary General Kofi Anann, which differed mainly on the issue of arms management.

During its weeklong stay in Kathmandu, the UN Mission held discussions with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, ministers, leaders of the seven-party alliance, CPN (Maoist) and diplomatic missions based in the capital. The Mission had urged both the sides to evolve a common position especially over the issue of arms management by today. The Mission is expected to submit its report to the UN Secretary General later this week.

Talking to journalists after handing over the letter to the UN, coordinator of the Maoist talks team, Krishna Bahadur Mahara, said that the understanding was a milestone in the country’s peace process. He said it was in conformity with the aspiration of the Nepali people towards peace.

Likewise, coordinator of the government talks team, Krishna Prasad Sitaula, said that there were no major differences between the government and the Maoists, adding whatever differences were there would be resolved through talks.

Interestingly, the letter sent to the UN doesn’t mention anything regarding the decommissioning of Maoist rebels. The rebels had vehemently opposed the proposition saying that it was tantamount to surrendering before the government.