The United Nations has a substantial presence in Nepal. However, the UN Mission to Nepal (UNMIN) that has been here for the last three and a half years to assist the peace process in a limited way, is likely to pack off if not granted permission beyond January 23.

The peace process is not complete, and it certainly shows no signs of smoothly reaching the desired destination. On November 2, all the 22 parties which constitute the ruling coalition said that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s suggestion that Nepal form a national unity government for timely promulgation of the new Constitution was a gross interference in Nepal’s internal affairs. Around the same time, Nepal’s permanent representative to the United Nations lodged a protest with the UN headquarters.

What provoked Nepali parties to criticise Secy Gen. Ban for repeating exactly what he had stated three months ago, however, remains a mystery. The Nepali political spectrum is, however, divided on the issue, with the Maoists supporting Moon’s contention. As the single largest party, Maoists hope — have been demanding the right, in fact — to head a new government as the one now headed by Madhav Nepal is a “puppet”, remote-controlled by the South.

In fact, the last four years of democracy have seen a great “play” of diplomats and the international community in Nepal. The ambassadors, not only from India and China, but also European Union, United States and the UN agencies, can meet the prime minister at will, bypassing the foreign ministry altogether. The well-established protocol of the past has totally collapsed. And it is not uncommon to hear advice on what Nepal should be doing, privately or publicly. Ban’s criticism, in that sense, remains a mystery.

... contd.