Former PM Koirala meets UNSG Ban; UNSG expresses concern over blockade

Kathmandu / November 13: Former Prime Minister and President of the Nepali Congress, had a meeting with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at the UN Headquarters in New York on Wednesday.

On the occasion, President Koirala told the Secretary General that Nepal has been able to bring out an inclusive democratic constitution written by people’s representatives through an elected Assembly.

He said, “Nepal considers the United Nations as the custodian of the principles of sovereign equality of all nations. We look to full understanding of Nepal’s sacrifices for democracy and contributions to the liberal democratic order from the international community. We want our friends to appreciate difficult circumstances and complex geopolitics that we are working with in these trying times”.

The former PM said that it was a matter of great satisfaction that political parties with violent past, non-democratic, and non-constitutional behaviour have come under democratic umbrella and added that biggest challenge now was to institutionalize this peaceful behaviour and strict adherence to the provisions of the constitution and rule of law. He said, “Now my desire is to see this behavoiur improved, and strict adherence to democratic norms reflected in daily governance and to the solution of current challenges in the plains in a democratic manner.”

President Koirala also thanked the Secretary General for support and solidarity following the devastating April 25 earthquake. Nepal has been working hard to address pressing challenges of reconstruction and rehabilitation of earthquake victims, added Koirala.

He said, ‘Nepal’s policy is to live with neighbours in peace, friendship, cooperation, and harmony to promote peace, stability, and development.”

He also recalled that his government attached highest priority to Nepal’s relations with its neighbours as being pillars of peace, stability, and prosperity. He also told Secretary General Ban that at a time when Nepal with constitutional democracy would have been an asset for our neighbours and the world to direct all efforts for development and uplifting people’s living standard by utilizing Nepal’s huge natural resources for common benefit but now they are extremely sad to see the Indo-Nepal relations taking this undesirable turn following the promulgation of an inclusive democratic constitution.

He expressed his concerns about the likely growth of radicalism in the country if people’s sufferings and hardships continue and added that this would not be in the interests of anyone.

Former PM Koirala said, “Obstruction and disruption of the most essential supplies at the border that have crippled Nepal’s economy, paralyzed social life forcing the closure of schools, and halted our reconstruction efforts and rehabilitation of earthquake victims. The effect of border blockade has been more pervasive and lasting than the devastating earthquake of April 25 and subsequent aftershocks. Damage from the earthquake was assessed to the tune of US $ 7 billion under Post Disaster Needs Assessment. It is estimated that the cumulative loss from this action of obstructions and disruptions far significantly exceeds that amount. Pushing Nepal into the most serious humanitarian crisis in Nepal is not in the interests of any one.”

He underlined the need for Nepal’s unhindered right of free transit, and appreciated the UN position on this. Koirala said that Nepal deserves better treatment as one of the poorest, landlocked and least developed countries that formulated a democratic constitution through an endogenous process by following an internationally approved democratic routes.

He said, “We are extremely worried about the divides being created between hills and plains and among diverse ethnic groups in Nepal. Diversity is our strength and national identity. We are fiercely proud of this strength. We are determined to the preservation and protection of national integrity and interests within a democratic framework.”

Similarly, UN Secretary General Ban commended the role and leadership of Koirala in the constitution making and lauded Koirala’s contributions to the democratization of Nepal and conclusion of the peace process.

The Secretary General expressed his concerns at the obstruction at the border. He also voiced his concerns over the delay at the setting up of National Reconstruction Authority as well as suggested to accommodate the demands of dissenting parties through a democratic process. NC President Koirala is in New York in connection with his follow up check up of his health. RSS