Ian Martin misquoted

The two news reports in the August 31 edition of THT quoting chief of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) Ian Martin, “UN keen to mediate in JTMM-G talks” and “Martin doubts smooth polls in 3 Tarai districts” misrepresent what Martin said both in his meetings with civil society in Sunsari and in his press conference in Biratnagar on August 30. Martin did not say at either event that the UN is keen to mediate talks between the government and the JTMM. At the Sunsari meet, he was asked a direct question as to the UN position in relation to the suggestion by the JTMM-Goit faction that the UN mediate talks. In response, Martin said, “The United Nations can only be involved in a dialogue process if that is the wish and request of both sides to a dialogue. And the government side has made clear publicly that it does not see a need for United Nations involvement.” He gave the same answer to a similar question at the press conference later that day in Biratnagar.

In your news report, “Martin doubts smooth polls in 3 Tarai districts”, you have also misrepresented Martin’s comments in relation to the election. Martin did not say that the election could be held in two phases. Again, Martin was asked by a journalist if holding the election in two stages was a solution to security concerns. Martin’s response was: “I think it would be very undesirable that the election be held in two stages unless that became absolutely essential. So far as I am aware the intention of the Election Commission is to hold the election simultaneously in all districts.”

The UN places great importance on the role of the media in the lead-up to the CA polls. UNMIN remains committed to working with the Nepali media to ensure that its work is understood by the people of Nepal, but accurate reporting is essential to provide the public with credible and timely information.

Kieran Dwyer,Spokesperson, United Nations Mission in Nepal

Main task

It is appalling that the leaders of the eight political parties are busy squabbling for their petty interests. The government has failed to ensure law and order despite the peace pact with the Maoists. The government leaders should bear in mind that Nepalis have put them in power, entrusting them with the main task of holding credible CA polls.

Parishkrit Acharya, via email

Rural focus

This is in reference to the editorial “Hopeful signs”(THT, August 31). We, as a matter of fact, believe that tourists come to Nepal to see Mt Everest or other beautiful sights in

Kathmandu. However, it is also Nepal’s cultural opulence that attracts tourists. Hence, tourist arrivals could see a considerable increase if we tapped the as yet unexplored potential of rural tourism.

SP Pandey, Gongabu, Kathmandu

Irresponsible

This refers to the news report “YCL men loot weapons from cops” (THT, August 30). It is an utterly irresponsible act on the part of the Young Communist League (YCL). The YCL

activists are not the official police and if they have been arrested, the state has a good reason for that.

Shirisha Amatya, Dhumbarahi