Advice to UNMIN - Nepali Times

From The Nepali Press
Advice to UNMIN
Editorial in Himal, 17-31 July

FROM ISSUE #512 (23 JULY 2010 - 29 JULY 2010) | TABLE OF CONTENTS

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KIRAN PANDAY

Nepal-UN relations go back six decades. But today, because of UNMIN, this relationship is at a difficult juncture. Either directly or indirectly, UNMIN has repeatedly taken a stance in favour of the UCPN (Maoist), and even the reports it has been sending to the Security Council have been pro-Maoist. Their bias has influenced the global perception of the Nepali peace process.

UNMIN's main job was to facilitate the elections and peace process and monitor the combatants in the cantonments. But it couldn't control the irregularities and the use of force in the polls. Last week, UNMIN transgressed its authority by bringing out a 60-week schedule for combatant management. Whenever something bad happens, UNMIN redeems itself by misinterpreting its mandate or saying it has no authority. But the same UNMIN that didn't feel accountable when Ram Hari Shrestha was tortured in Shaktikhor camp was eager to defend the gun-toting combatants in Kapilbastu.

UNMIN, which responds with passion whenever the Maoists are accused of something, is always restrained when the Nepal Army faces accusations. It seems all the UNMIN leadership wants is to publicise its success story by signing on a mediocre document in Nepal.

Nepali politicians invited UNMIN so it could monitor the peace process according to international standards, but the standards UNMIN has adhered to are incapable of bringing lasting peace. A piece of advice to UNMIN - work according to your mandate for the two remaining months of your term, and respect the stances and ideas of other parties as well.

1. DG
One good forewit is worth two afterwits. Forewarned is forearmed.
"Unless through de-militarisation, democratisation and accomodation of the CPN(M) is finalised, Nepal's political parties attain a desirable level of democratic consciousness,and India's inadequate policies vis-a-vis Nepal undergo serious revisions,it may be hard to dismiss the 1948Czechoslovakian scenario as a political parallel." Thank you Jakub for your warning. He is wise who looks ahead.

Posted on: 23 JULY 2010 | 3:31 PM NST

2. DG
Advice to UNMIN.
Don't give un-solicited advice,wise men don't need it ,fools don.t use it.
Advice when most needed is least heeded.
Advice is a stranger;if welcome he stays for the night;if not welcome he returns home the same day.

Posted on: 23 JULY 2010 | 3:32 PM NST

3. DG
#1
Pl. post it on "Will history repeat itself?"Thank you.

Posted on: 23 JULY 2010 | 8:26 PM NST

4. Arthur
Only the most stupid losers engage in attacking the umpire.

Posted on: 24 JULY 2010 | 4:57 AM NST

5. Gole
Better not to teach your UNMIN's grandmother to suck eggs.

Posted on: 26 JULY 2010 | 5:06 PM NST