Written question asked by Earl of Sandwich (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Triesman (Labour) on Monday, 6 November 2006.

Nepal: Interim Government

Question: How they are helping the interim Government of Nepal (a) with the United Nations-monitored arms control programme, and (b) to establish an early date for elections to a constituent assembly.

Answer: We have set aside £1.9 million from the Global Conflict Prevention Pool to help fund a new UN mission in Nepal. The UN mission was established following parallel requests from the Government and Maoists for help in monitoring human rights; the code of conduct, agreed on 26 May 2006 to help govern the ceasefire; arms management for both sides; and providing election observation for the election of the constituent assembly. We are in close contact with the head of the UN mission, Ian Martin, about how we can best support the mission, including through effective use of UK funds. We will continue to urge the Government and the Maoists to make use of the UN's expertise to help tackle the contentious issues such as arms management and elections to a constituent assembly. We will continue to urge the Maoists to demonstrate their democratic credentials by a commitment to arms separation and decommissioning. An effective arms management arrangement that can be monitored by the UN should be a precondition to free, fair and inclusive elections to a constituent assembly. The peace process cannot be successful unless the Maoists enter the constituent assembly as a peaceful democratic party.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 7997; 686 c90WA
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: Decommissioning Development aid Arms control Elections Politics and government United Nations Peace negotiations Nepal
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk