UN secy gen stresses on cooperating among parties

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his report made public on Tuesday commended the political parties of Nepal for their commitment to consolidating democracy.
“In common with other members of the international community, I have repeatedly stressed the importance of sustaining the cooperation among political parties on which the peace process was founded and which has brought it so far,” he writes in the report.
Ban lauded the pledge of the Nepali Congress, led by Girija Prasad Koirala, to help draft the new constitution, despite its decision to stay out of the Maoist-led coalition government.
He also praised the commitments made by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal concerning multi-party democracy and human rights.
Ban lamented the fact that the “understandable” delays in forming the government have not led to the “hoped-for progress” to allow the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the country, known as UNMIN, to wind down by its mandate’s conclusion next January.
“The establishment of the special committee to oversee the integration and rehabilitation of Maoist army personnel is crucial in this respect,” he notes in the report, ”However, until the special committee begins its work, it is impossible to predict how soon it will be able to take key decisions and how long will be needed for their implementation,”.
There will be “substantial disagreements to be overcome”, he adds.
Calling on the government to “move as rapidly as possible to create conditions conducive to the completion of UNMIN activities”, the UN Secretary-General expressed regret that the status-of-mission agreement still has yet to be signed by officials.
The report also urged the international community to continue its support for the country to ensure that it successfully completes its peace process.

Nepal Samwat enters New Year 1129

With recognition as the official calendar of the country, the Nepal Samwat, also known as Saka Samwat, has entered into a brand new year 1129 on Wednesday.
The first day of the Nepal Samwat coincides with the fourth day of Tihar festival, known and Gobardhan Pooja or Goru Pooja (Oxen worshipping).
People of the Newar community took out rally to mark the beginning of the Nepal Samwat New Year today.
Welcome gates have been erected at several chowks in three districts of the capital valley and Kavre district hailing the governments move to announce Nepal Samwat as Rastriya Samwat.
The Maoist-led government had announced Nepal Samwat as National calendar only on Friday.
Nepal Samwat was established in the name of the nation after Shankhadhar Sankhwa, then businessman, released the people of Kathmandu from debt almost 1129 years ago.
It is believed that during the reign of then King of Kathmandu, Raghav Dev, the Nepal Samwat was initiated by Sankhadhar Sankhwa to commemorate the pay back of all the debts of people living in Kathmandu, then known as "Ya."
Earlier, various organisations and culture experts had demanded for the announcement of Nepal Samwat as Rastriya Samwat.
Nepal Samwat, one among few of the native calendars to Nepal, has its own special relevance for Newar community, the major constituents of the Kathmandu valley. Moreover, the calendar was widely used by Newars for cultural and religious purpose inside the Kathmandu because of its relation with festivals Jatra that are celebrated in the Valley.
After the unification of Nepal, Saka Samwat took ground and later on, during the premiership of Chandra SJBR Bikram Samwat were recognized for official use
This calendar, Nepal Samwat, is being revived, especially in the Kathmandu Valley, over the last three decades.

Govt forms five-member army integration committee

The government formed a five-member army integration special committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bam Dev Gautam on Tuesday.
A meeting of the 'united political appointment committee' held in Prime Minister's residence in Baluwatar formed the special committee, government spokesperson and communication minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara said.
Members of the committee include defence minister Ram Bahadur Thapa, Madhesi Janadhikar Forum leader Mohammad Habiullah and peace and reconstruction minister Janardan Sharma (ex-officio member) while the remaining one member will be inducted from the Nepali Congress.
The special committee, which will oversee the "management, integration and rehabilitation" of the Maoist People's Liberation Army (PLA), has been formed after prolonged dispute among the parties including the ruling allies.
The process to form the panel had hit a snag with Nepali Congress and ruling partners like CPN (UML) and MJF opposing the Maoists' claim over its leadership.
At a meeting of the four major parties few days earlier, Maoist leaders agreed to give up their claim but insisted that they should have two members in the special committee, a demand the NC flatly rejected.

UNSG says UNMIN may not be able to complete its task by January

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has said the "understandable delays" in forming the government make it impossible for him to report the hoped-for progress to the UN Security Council by the end of the current mandate of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN). UNMIN's term expires in January next year.
In the latest report on Nepal made public Tuesday, Ban, also said the world has recognised the strides towards peace Nepalis have made.
"In common with other members of the international community, I have repeatedly stressed the importance of sustaining the cooperation among political parties on which the peace process was founded and which has brought it so far," the report says.
Ban also welcomed the pledge of Nepali Congress to help draft the new constitution and conclude the peace process and praised the commitments made by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal to multi-party democracy and human rights.
"The establishment of the special committee to oversee the integration and rehabilitation of Maoist army personnel is crucial in this respect," adding, "However, until the special committee begins its work, it is impossible to predict how soon it will be able to take key decisions and how long will be needed for their implementation," and that the process will have substantial disagreements to be overcome.
The Secretary-General called on the Nepal government to "move as rapidly as possible to create conditions conducive to the completion of UNMIN activities". The mission has already significantly downsized its staffing level, but he expressed regret that the status-of-mission agreement still has yet to be signed by officials.
"While the main emphasis now should be on peacebuilding through economic and social development, and on the drafting of the new Constitution, experience in various countries has demonstrated the dangers of failing to address successfully the issue of former combatants and the risks that this can pose to durable stability," the report said.
Ban is scheduled to arrive in Kathmandu Thursday on a two-day visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Dahal. He will also visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, during his stay here.

Some historical pictures of Nepal