NEPAL: GOVERNMENT REQUESTS EXTENSION OF UNMIN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 002136 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/31/2017 TAGS: PGOV PTER UNSC NP SUBJECT: NEPAL: GOVERNMENT REQUESTS EXTENSION OF UNMIN MANDATE Classified By: Ambassador Nancy J. Powell. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) UN Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) chief Ian Martin revealed at a press conference December 27 that the Nepali Government had formally requested an extension of UNMIN's mandate for an additional six months. The 23-Point Agreement that the poltical parties and the Maoists signed on December 23 apparently was the impetus needed for delivery of the letter, which had been penned in mid-December. The UN Security Council is expected to take up the extension on January 11. Nepal Requests Extension of UNMIN Mandate -------------- ¶2. (C) At a press conference December 27 at which he announced the results of the combatant verification process (septel),UN Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) chief Ian Martin also revealed that the Government of Nepal (GON) had formally requested an extension of the UNMIN mandate for a further six months. He pointed out that the letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon had already been shared with the Security Council. According to UNMIN political advisor John Norris, the letter had been ready for a while, "collecting dust," while the GON waited for a political agreement between the Six-Party Alliance and the Maoists. (Note: The text of the letter, which is dated December 18, is copied below.) Norris said the signing of the 23-Point Agreement on December 23 had "done the trick." Nepal's Permanent Representative to the United Nations apparently forwarded the letter sometime thereafter. Text of Letter to UN Secretary General -------------- ¶3. (SBU) BEGIN TEXT: December 18, 2007 Excellency, Upon instruction from my government, I have the honour to inform you that the Government of Nepal has decided to request for an extension of the duration of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) for a period of six months from the date of expiry of its current mandate on 23 January ¶2008. This extension is requested in recognition of UNMIN,s contribution and its continued relevance in assisting the ongoing peace process upon Nepal,s request in the mandated areas as per the Security Council resolution (1740/2007). I have further honour to inform you that an agreement has been reached for holding the election to the Constituent Assembly by mid-April 2008 and the government is firmly committed and is seriously engaging all stakeholders with a view to implementing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and bringing the nationally-owned peace process toward its logical conclusion. I take this opportunity to express the sincere appreciation of the Government of Nepal for your continued support to the peace process. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration. /s/ Madhu Raman Acharya Ambassador Permanent Representative His Excellency Mr. Ban Ki-Moon Secretary-General SIPDIS United Nations KATHMANDU 00002136 002 OF 002 New York END TEXT Comment -------------- ¶4. (C) Foreign Secretary Acharya confirmed to the Ambassador December 31 that he expected that the Security Council would take up the issue of UNMIN extension on January 11 in New York. He added that Permanent Representative Acharya had already been in contact with the Italian Security Council President on the issue and would be speaking with the incoming Libyan President soon. Unlike in 2006 when the UN Mission was first established, this time there will be no parallel Maoist letter. In response to a question from the Ambassador, however, Acharya did explain that he had personally requested that Prime Minister Koirala ensure the Maoists as well as the other parties in the coalition supported the extension, which the Prime Minister had done. Acharya added that, with the issue of an expanded mission off the table, he anticipated the extension process to move smoothly forward. UNMIN political advisor John Norris confirmed December 31 that UNMIN was of the same opinion. POWELL