Date:10/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/10/stories/2009011055521400.htm

International

Ban recommends UNMIN extension

Prerana Marasini

KATHMANDU: United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has recommended the Security Council to extend the term of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) by another six months.

In a report released on Thursday, Mr. Ban said Nepal needed UNMIN’s support to assist in the peace process. “I therefore recommend that the Council extend the mandate of UNMIN for a further six months, with the Mission being subject to further downsizing from January 23, 2009.”

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) had requested the U.N. Secretary-General to extend mandate, when Mr. Ban visited Nepal last October.

Established in 2007, UNMIN’s main duty is to assist in the peace process by monitoring the arms and armies of the former guerillas (the Maoists).

It also played a role in conducting the Constituent Assembly elections last year.

Now with its downsized extension, UNMIN would be headed by a representative, instead of a special representative of the Secretary-General.

In his report, Mr. Ban also noted activities of various youth wings affecting the peace process; he chiefly expressed concern regarding the Young Communist League of the CPN (Maoists).