Reinstatement of parliament an option: Sir Jeffrey

December 13, 2004
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Visiting special representative of the United Kingdom to Nepal, Sir Jeffrey James, has said reinstatement of the dissolved parliament could be an option to break the on-going constitutional impasse in Nepal.

Addressing a press meet in the Nepali capital Monday, Sir Jeffrey said there was a need to reestablish parliament in the country. “There could be a number of ways for it. The best way would be to elect a new parliament after a successful peace process. In the current security situation, it would be very difficult to hold free and fair elections. In such a case, reinstatement (of the dissolved parliament) could also be an option,” he said.

He, however, made it clear that it was up to the Nepali political parties themselves to come up with a common view.

Responding to a question, Sir Jeffrey said the situation in Nepal had become worse than it was two years ago. “Conflict seems to have much more severe, (there has been) increasing violations of human rights of people and it has had negative impact upon the economy,” he said.

When asked about the Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba’s announcement that he would go for elections if the Maoists did not return to the peace negotiations (by mid-January next year), the British envoy said the first priority should be to get the peace process going. “Elections could be postponed until there is an outcome (of the peace process),” said Sir Jeffrey. He, however, said he did not mean to rule out the possibility of holding elections.

The British diplomat also called upon the Maoists not to miss the opportunity to hold talks with the government. “ They are making mistake (by ignoring the government’s call.) They should come to the table of negotiations with an open mind for an effective and sustainable peace process,” he added.

Sir Jeffrey did not want to comment on a query regarding the recommendation reportedly made by the Raj Parishad urging the King to become more pro-active. He, however, said it was essential to move towards a broad-based multi-party government and put in place a democratic structure and create democratic space and freedom as far as possible.

Nepal doesn’t have an elected parliament for more than last two years.

When asked about the prospects of involving the United Nations in the proposed peace process in Nepal, Sir Jeffrey said some external involvement in the peace process could well be very helpful, (but) not necessarily the UN mediation. There are various ways the international community could help Nepal, especially in the reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts, he said.

The British envoy further said that there was more closer coordination and sharing of analysis among the governments of India, US, European Union and the United Nations on the situation of Nepal. “We are very close to a united stand,” he added.

He did not elaborate.

Sir Jeffrey had arrived in Kathmandu last week in what was his seventh visit since his appointment as the special representative of the UK to Nepal early last year.

His mandate is to act as a focal point in London for coordinating British government’s help for peace and development, and hold consultations with Nepal’s other international partners on how best to support the country, according to British officials. nepalnews.com by Dec. 13 04