UN Secretary General lauds peace process in Nepal

Kathmandu, Nov 1 (UNI) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who is on a visit of Nepal, has lauded the establishment of the special committee to supervise, integrate and rehabilitate Maoist army combatants.

''I encourage the parties represented on the committee to ensure that it begins its important work as soon as possible,'' Mr Ban said while speaking at a press conference organised here today.

The government should move quickly on the formal discharge of minors and disqualified combatants, he said, referring to the minors recruited in the Maoists combatants.

The formation of special committee under the chairmanship of Home Minister Bam Dev Gautam has no representation from the Nepali Congress (NC). It has two members from the Maoists and one from Madhesi Janadhikar Forum.

The NC has demanded equal number of participation from all the parties represented in the committee and disagreed the integration of the former rebels into the national army, saying he Communism indoctrinated rebels cannot be integrated into the national army.

The UN chief, who met President Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, said UN Peace-building Fund has already released 10 million dollars to the UN Peace Fund for Nepal to finance the local peace-building programmes and also to help reintegrate former combatants, generate youth employment and put other measures in place.

The UN Secretary-General said the Nepali-driven political and social transformation has amazed the international community.

There are more than 20,000 Maoists combatants living in various camps under the UN monitor.

UNI XC SKB CS1645