SECURITY COUNCIL DISCUSSES NEPAL; PROMISES QUICK

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 002196 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC NP SUBJECT: SECURITY COUNCIL DISCUSSES NEPAL; PROMISES QUICK RESPONSE TO NEPAL'S REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE ¶1. (SBU) Summary: On November 29, the Security Council discussed during a private meeting the November 22 letter from the Secretary-General proposing UN support for the peace process in Nepal. The SYG,s Personal Representative to the peace process, Ian Martin, briefed and responded to questions from Council members. All SC members expressed support for the peace process and for an expanded UN role, and agreed to quickly take up a Presidential Statement to this end. End summary. IAN MARTIN,S INTERVENTION ¶2. (SBU) Ian Martin, Personal Representative of the Secretary-General to the Nepalese peace process, told the SIPDIS Council on November 29 that the Nepalese people have overcome great odds to arrive at the present situation. He strongly supported the SYG,s November 22 letter, which called for quick UN action to support implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and included as attachments letters from all parties requesting UN assistance. He said there is great promise for a "lasting peace in Nepal." Compared to his first visit in May 2005, Martin said the current situation on the ground "is like night and day." Martin reviewed for SC members the evolution of the peace process, and reported that parties to the Nepalese peace process have come to the conclusion that the UN,s assistance in arms management and electoral support is "vital" to cement a lasting peace in the country. Martin added that the initial timelines for UN deployment to Nepal were unrealistic, but that "prompt and effective" UN action is needed nonetheless. ¶3. (SBU) Martin supported the suggestions contained in the SYG,s November 22 letter, which calls for the following actions: 1) the deployment of a technical assessment mission to fully develop a complete concept of operations; 2) deployment of an advance group of up to 35 monitors that would serve as the vanguard for the UN,s proposed arms monitoring presence; and 3) deployment of an team of up to 25 electoral personnel. The monitors would serve as liaisons in Kathmandu with all parties to the peace agreement, but would not deploy into the proposed seven cantonment sites until the anticipated full monitoring mission is set up. Martin urged that this type of groundwork begin as soon as possible, without a full concept of operations, arguing the need is "real and urgent." COUNCIL REACTIONS ¶4. (SBU) All Council members spoke in reaction to Martin,s intervention, and uniformly congratulated the Nepalese government and people for arriving at the peace agreement. They also expressed their appreciation for the efforts of Ian Martin and his team, and confirmed Council interest in supporting an expanded UN role as outlined in the SYG's letter. Ambassador Sanders said the USG strongly supports the peace process and welcomes the UN,s supporting role. She urged the Council to provide clear guidance in reaction to the SYG,s letter. She characterized the Comprehensive Peace Agreement as the first step in the peace process, and called for deployment of the technical assessment mission as soon as possible. The UK noted that the peace is fragile and therefore the UN has an overwhelming need to tender assistance. The new assistance would build on what already has been achieved, said the UK. The French DPR said France welcomes the agreement, and fully supports the proposals outlined in the SYG,s letter. France calls on the UN to help cement a climate of trust in Nepal, he said. ¶5. (SBU) The Chinese DPR pointedly said that China and India do not consider the situation in Nepal to be a threat to "international peace and security," implying that they do not support a peacekeeping mission and would prefer the UN assistance be organized as part of an expanded political mission. He added that the proposed terms of reference drafted by the technical assessment mission should be clearly defined to ensure a smooth implementation of the UN,s role. The Russian DPR said Moscow welcomed the Nepalese achievement and took note of the SYG,s request. He said that all modalities for the UN,s role should be clearly formulated. With regard to suggestions proposed by the technical assessment mission, Russia is "prepared to be positive." NEXT STEPS ¶6. (SBU) The Peruvian Presidency acknowledged the broad support within the Council for a quick response to the SYG,s November 22 letter. UK PermRep Jones-Parry announced the UK would circulate a PRST that would welcome the signing of the peace agreement, take note of the request for UN assistance, and authorize the deployment of a technical assessment mission, a vanguard monitoring presence, and initial electoral assistance. Jones-Parry said the UK Mission would circulate the draft PRST and hoped the Council would act to approve a PRST by Friday, December 1. (Note: USUN subsequently received the UK,s draft and forwarded it by e-mail to IO/UNP. End note.) Jones-Parry suggested that the agenda item be termed "November 22 Letter from the Secretary-General" to take into account Nepalese and regional SIPDIS sensitivities about placing the issue of Nepal on the Security Council agenda. The Council agreed to this approach. BOLTON