TALKING POINTS FOR JANUARY 15 CONSULTATIONS ON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 002997 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL UNSC NP SUBJECT: TALKING POINTS FOR JANUARY 15 CONSULTATIONS ON UNMIN ¶1. (U) USUN is instructed to pursue the objectives in paragraph 2 and draw from the points in paragraph 3 during the January 15 Security Council consultations on the UN Mission in Nepal (UNMIN). ¶2. (U) Objectives: -- Convey support for UNMIN -- Recognize recent discharge of some disqualified Maoist personnel but emphasize need for greater progress -- Stress need for Council to consider conditions under which UNMIN's presence will eventually end ¶3. (U) Begin points: Thank you, Mr. President. Let me offer my thanks also to Representative Karin Landgren, for her briefing today and for her service, as well as that of the entire United Nations team in Nepal. Despite some recent welcome developments, such as the reopening of parliament, the situation in Nepal today remains worrisome. As we discussed only two months ago, progress in Nepal remains blocked by political stalemate. All parties in Nepal, including the Maoists, need to demonstrate maximum flexibility and leadership to build consensus on key peace process issues, including the future federal structure of Nepal, integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants, and drafting of the constitution. Nepal's leaders must move beyond this impasse and recommit to full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. We strongly support the action plan signed in December by the Government of Nepal, the Unified Communist Party of Nepal - Maoist, and the United Nations for the discharge of disqualified Maoist personnel, almost 3,000 of whom are minors. We are heartened by the recent discharge of 209 of the disqualified from one of the seven Maoist cantonments. This is an important step forward in Nepal's peace process. All parties in Nepal must build on this momentum by making further progress on the discharge of the remaining disqualified personnel. In addition, some 19,000 Maoist combatants remain in cantonments, and despite resumed discussions on a resolution to this situation, the parties have been unable to reach an agreement. Integration and rehabilitation of former Maoist army personnel is an essential element of the implementation of the CPA, and it remains unfulfilled. This issue has languished since the UN-led verification process was conducted in 2007. The time for delay is over. This Council established UNMIN three years ago as a temporary mission and charged it with four essential tasks: monitoring the management of arms and armed personnel, assisting the parties through a Joint Monitoring Coordinating Committee in implementing their agreements on arms and armed personnel, assisting in monitoring the ceasefire, and providing technical support for the elections. Elections were successfully held in April 2008, and UNMIN continues to do an effective job on the other three tasks. We support UNMIN's work, and recognize the recent progress on the discharge of disqualified Maoist combatants. But UNMIN cannot remain in Nepal indefinitely. The Maoists and the Government of Nepal must take the steps necessary to fully implement the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. Moreover, UNMIN itself would do well to refocus on the core elements of its mandate as defined by this Council, and not attempt to take on a wider political role that it was not intended to fill. UNMIN should use its remaining time to assist the Government of Nepal in establishing a mechanism that would allow the Government itself to take over UNMIN's functions, including the monitoring of arms. As we consider renewal of UNMIN's mandate, we must focus on the conditions under which that mandate will eventually end. We must consider the logistical and administrative requirements for the successful, orderly withdrawal of UNMIN. Equally important, we must keep in mind the sensitive timing of UNMIN's departure, particularly with regard to the May 2010 constitution drafting deadline -- a critical time in Nepal's peace process. The United States will maintain its support for the people of STATE 00002997 002 OF 002 Nepal and their efforts to transcend a cycle of conflict. Now is the time for leaders of all major parties in Nepal to exercise leadership and vision, so that the terms of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement can be realized, and Nepal can move toward a secure and prosperous future. End points. CLINTON