GUIDANCE FOR UNMIN RENEWAL VOTE

UNCLAS STATE 005506

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNSC PGOV PREL UNMIN NP
SUBJECT: GUIDANCE FOR UNMIN RENEWAL VOTE


1. The Department instructs USUN to vote in favor of the
resolution to extend the mandate of the UN Mission in Nepal
(UNMIN) by six months, scheduled for consideration by the UN
Security Council on Friday, January 23. Please refer to the
Department for guidance regarding further substantive changes
to the current text of the resolution, included in para 2,
prior to the vote.


2. Begin resolution text:

The Security Council,

Recalling its resolutions 1825 (2008),1796 (2008) and 1740
(2007),

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

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 find a permanent and sustainable peace and
commending the steps taken to date to implement the Agreement,

Acknowledging 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 by the relevant parties,

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, in particular the 25 June Agreement, as requested
by the Government of Nepal,

Welcoming the successful conclusion of the Constituent
Assembly elections on 10 April
2008, and the progress made by the parties since the
formation of the Constituent Assembly in working towards a
democratic government, including the decision made at the
first session of the Constituent Assembly to establish Nepal
as a federal democratic republic,

Welcoming the formation of a democratically elected
government and institutions in Nepal,

Welcoming the establishment of the Special Committee for the
supervision, integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist
army personnel, and calling upon the Government of Nepal, and
all political parties to work together to ensure the
effective working of the committee, and to complete the
integration and rehabilitation of demoblized combatants,

Echoing the Secretary-General's call for all parties in Nepal
to move forward swiftly in the implementation of the
agreements reached, noting the Secretary-General's assessment
that the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) will be well
placed to assist in the management of arms and armed
personnel in accordance with the 25 June Agreement between
the political parties, and recognising UNMIN's willingness to
assist the parties in this, as requested, in order to achieve
a durable solution,

Welcoming the report of the Secretary-General of 2 January on
the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN),in accordance
with his mandate,

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
resolution 1740 (2007) and in line with the provisions of the
Comprehensive Peace Agreement, noting the importance of a
durable long term solution in helping to create the
conditions for completion of UNMIN's activities and noting
also in this regard the need to address outstanding issues,
particularly the release of minors in cantonment sites, and
welcoming the Government's commitment to discharge minors
without further delay, and calling upon it to implement this
commitment as soon as possible, and continued reporting on
this issue as required under resolution 1612 (2005),

Noting with appreciation that with the successful holding of
the Constituent Assembly elections, some of the elements of
the mandate relating to UNMIN as set out in resolution 1740
(20007) have already been accomplished,

Taking note of the Government of Nepal's letter to the
Secretary-General of 12 December 2008 (X/2008/837),which
recognises UNMIN's contribution and requests an extension of
UNMIN at a smaller scale to carry out the remainder of the
mandate for six months, and further taking note of the
intention of the Government of Nepal with regard to
termination of UNMIN's monitoring requirements by the end of
this six month period,

Noting the recommendations in the report of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights, and encouraging the Government
of Nepal to address these recommendations,

Recognising 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 resolution 1325 (2000),

Recognising that civil society can play an important role in
democratic transition and conflict prevention,

Expressing appreciation for the contribution of the
Secretary-General's Special Representative and the efforts of
his team in 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
United Nations actors in the mission area, particularly in
order to ensure continuity, as the mandate comes to an end,


1. Decides in line with the request from the Government
of Nepal and the Secretary-General's recommendations, to
renew the mandate of UNMIN as established under resolution
1740 (2007) until 23 July 2009, taking into account the
completion of some elements of the mandate, the ongoing work
on the monitoring and the management of arms and armed
personnel in line with the 25 June Agreement among the
political parties, which will support the completion of the
peace process;


2. Calls upon all parties to take full advantage of the
expertise and readiness of UNMIN, within its mandate, to
support the peace process to facilitate the completion of
outstanding aspects of UNMIN's mandate;


3. Concurs with the Secretary-General's view that the
current monitoring arrangements cannot be maintained
indefinitely and underlining the need for the Government to
consider necessary measures to reduce UNMIN's monitoring
requirements;


4. Endorses the Secretary-General,s recommendations for
a phased, gradual, drawdown and withdrawal of UNMIN staff,
including arms monitors, as proposed in paragraph 62 and 63
of the Report of the Secretary General;


5. Requests the Secretary-General to keep the Security
Council informed of progress towards implementation of this
resolution and to submit a report on this and the
implications for UNMIN, with a view to further downsizing of
UNMIN, no later than 30 April 2009;


6. Calls upon the Government of Nepal to continue to take
the necessary decisions to create conditions conducive to
completion of UNMIN's activities by the end of the current
mandate, including through implementation of the 25 June
Agreement, in order to facilitate UNMIN's withdrawal from
Nepal;


7. Urges all political parties in Nepal to expedite the
peace process, and to continue to work together in a spirit
of co-operation, consensus and compromise in order to
continue the transition to a durable long-term solution to
enable the country to move to a peaceful, democratic and more
prosperous future;


8. 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;


9. Decides to remain seized of the matter.

End resolution text.
BURNS