UN Secretary-General Moon hails new constitution; says it’s a milestone in Nepal’s peace process

UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon

New York, September 27: The Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon has commended Nepali people on the adoption of the new constitution- a milestone in the peace process.

The Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General has said Secretary-General Ban understands the decision taken by Nepal’s Prime Minister Sushil Koirala to cancel his visit to the United Nations to focus on the domestic political situation and to facilitate dialogue. The Secretary-General looks forward to meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Prakash Man Singh to discuss a range of issues of mutual interest to Nepal and the United Nations.

The UN Secretary-General underlined that democratic transitions are complex and long-term processes, giving emphasis to the importance of non-violence and respect for peaceful protest.

Responding to questions related to Nepal, Secretary General Ban’s spokesperson mentioned in the note that the former was also planning to meet Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Federal Affairs and Local Development, Prakash Man Singh, most probably on October 2 in New York.

Deputy Prime Minister Singh is now leading the Nepali delegation to the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly in absence of Prime Minister Sushil Koirala.

Many countries across the world welcomed the promulgation of new constitution by Nepal and congratulated Nepali people for their victory. However, Nepal’s neighbour India has not welcomed the move rather it imposed unannounced blockade to Nepal after the new constitution. India always want to play in the internal affairs of its neighbour and is not happy when the leaders of Nepal’s major political parties failed to follow its suggestions in the new constitution.

India expressed reservation over Nepal’s failure to determine federal states as per Indian interest and also the provision of citizenship among others. Some tarai based political parties, who are considered as dancing at the tunes of India, have been organizing different protest programs in some parts of Nepal, which is not welcomed by majority of Nepali people. Some news reports said that the protesting parties have been providing remuneration to the people for coming to their protest programs. However these reports are yet to be confirmed.