NEPAL-UNSC RENEWAL OF UNMIN

UNCLAS STATE 006714

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNSC PREL NE
SUBJECT: NEPAL-UNSC RENEWAL OF UNMIN

REF: STATE 5676


1. The Department instructs USUN to vote in favor of the
resolution following in paragraph 2 renewing the UN
Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) for six months during the
Security Council session on January 23. The Department
requests that USUN draw on points in reftel in making the
U.S.' Explanation of Vote.


2. Begin resolution text:

The Security Council,

Recalling Security Council resolution 1740 of 23 January
2007,

Recalling the signing on 21 November 2006 by the
Government of Nepal and the Communist Party of Nepal
(Maoist) of a Comprehensive Peace Agreement, and the
stated commitment of both parties to transforming the
existing cease-fire into a permanent and sustainable peace
and commending the steps taken to date to implement the
Agreement,

Reaffirming the sovereignty, territorial integrity and
political independence of Nepal and its ownership of the
implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and
subsequent agreements,

Expressing its continued readiness to support the peace
process in Nepal in the timely and effective
implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and
subsequent agreements,

Recognizing the strong desire of the Nepalese people for
peace and the restoration of democracy and the importance
in this respect of the implementation of the Comprehensive
Peace Agreement and subsequent agreements,

Recognizing that civil society can play an important role
in conflict prevention,

Welcoming the report of the Secretary-General of 3 January
2008 (S/2008/5) on the United Nations Mission in Nepal
(UNMIN),in accordance with his mandate,

Welcoming the 23-point agreement reached by the seven
party alliance on 23 December 2007 with a view to holding
Constituent Assembly elections on 10 April 2008, and
recognizing that the challenging timelines set out in the
agreement will require efforts among all the parties to
build mutual confidence,

Recognizing the need to pay special attention to the needs
of women, children and traditionally marginalized groups
in the peace process, as mentioned in the Comprehensive
Peace Agreement and UNSCR 1325 (2000);

Echoing the Secretary-General's call for all parties in
Nepal to move forward swiftly in the implementation of the
agreements reached,

Noting that the Government of Nepal in its letter to the
Secretary-General of 18 December, recognizes UNMIN's

SIPDIS
contribution and requests an extension of the mandate for
six months,

Welcoming the completion of two phases of the verification
process and continuing assistance with the management of
arms and armed personnel of both sides in accordance with
UNSCR 1740 and in line with the provisions of the
Comprehensive Peace Agreement, and noting the importance
of a durable long term solution in helping to create the
conditions for completion of UNMIN's activities and noting
too in this regard the need to address outstanding issues,
including those relating to minors,

Expressing appreciation for the efforts of the
Secretary-General's Special Representative and his team in

SIPDIS
UNMIN, and the United Nations Country Team, including the
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights which is
monitoring human rights at the request of the government,
and stressing the need for co-ordination and
complementarity of efforts between the mission and all the
UN actors in the mission area,


1. Decides, following the request from the
Government of Nepal and based on the Secretary-General's
recommendation, to renew the mandate of UNMIN, as set out
in UNSCR 1740 (2007),until 23 July 2008;


2. Expresses full support for the Comprehensive
Peace Agreement and calls upon all parties to maintain
momentum in implementation of the Agreement; to continue
constructive engagement with the United Nations, including
reaching an early status of mission agreement, and to work
together to progress to Constituent Assembly elections;


3. Encourages all parties to take full advantage of
the expertise and readiness of UNMIN, within its existing
mandate, to support the peace process;


4. Requests the Secretary-General to keep the
Council regularly informed of progress towards the
implementation of this resolution, and in particular to
review the activities of UNMIN in light of the elections
scheduled for 10 April 2008, taking into account the views
of the Government of Nepal and the developments on the
ground;


5. Requests the parties in Nepal to take the
necessary steps to promote the safety, security and
freedom of movement of UNMIN and associated personnel in
executing the tasks defined in the mandate;


6. Decides to remain seized of the matter.

End Text
RICE