Unite: Moon’s message

NF correspondent

UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon’s visit once again showed how closely Nepal, especially its peace process, was being viewed by the world body. The Secretary General wrapped up his 22-hour long meeting with the promise that UN will be a continued partner and guide in Nepal’s transition to a peaceful, developed and democratic country. He boarded the special aircraft from Lumbini, where he offered prayers in Lord Buddha’s birth site. He expressed enough but guarded optimism that Nepali government and political parties will continue to work together to take the peace process to its logical end. Ban Ki Moon appeared prepared to continue UN work in Nepal, with a downsized United Missions to Nepal (UNMIN) or without it; as Prime Minister Prachanda was non-committal to extend its tenure beyond January 23. He however, promised that a decision in this regard either would be taken very soon. In the course of his interaction with the constituent assembly members, media and other dignitaries, Secretary Gen Moon said, “the challenge ahead is to integrate and rehabilitate Maoist combatants.” “In this regard, I welcome the recent establishment of the special committee to supervise, integrate and rehabilitate Maoist army combatants. I encourage the parties represented on the committee to ensure that it begins its important work as soon as possible. I also call on the government to move quickly on the formal discharge of minors and disqualified combatants.” Secy Gen Moon demonstrated his human side that touched many Nepalis’ hearts when he paid tributes to Kabindra Jung Thapa, a Nepali army official who had sacrificed his life in discharge of his duty as a UN peace keeping force years ago in Sudan. Similarly, he took up women’s cause acknowledging that women of Nepal have in many ways borne the brunt of the conflict. “I would like to pay a tribute to the women across the country who have been working in numerous ways to consolidate peace. This process will be greatly strengthened by ensuring the fullest possible inclusion of women at all levels.” The Secretary Gen also asked government for more sensitivity on issues that are important to heal the wounds of conflict. “Sustaining peace will also require efforts to heal the wounds of the conflict. That means clarifying the fate of those who disappeared and compensating victims. It means enabling the return of displaced persons to their homes. And it means undertaking an honest and inevitably painful acknowledgement of the truth of past human rights violations, and to end impunity.” The delay in discharge of child soldiers and return of displaced to their property are the outcome of what looks like Maoists deliberate designs to prevent that. He asked all parties to work in a spirit of cooperation to finish the main job of writing the new constitution. He also paid special tribute to GP Koirala for having brought the peace process to this point. Koirala was not quite discourteous, but made his ‘displeasure’ with Secretary General’s special representative Ian Martin obvious. He preferred to talk to Moon alone, asking Martin to stay out, at his Maharajgunj residence. Koirala, sources say, was unhappy with the way the Maoist led government was ‘misinterpreting the comprehensive peace agreement and mishandling the peace process.’