Kathmandu, June 22 :

There is no need to delay writing a letter to United Nations officially asking its help in the management of Maoists’ weapons, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, KP Oli, upon his arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport today.

Oli, who met UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on the sidelines of the first session of UN Human Rights Council, told mediapersons,

“I discussed with the UN Secretary General arms management in Nepal and there is no need to delay writing an official letter to the United Nations in this regard.”

He said the government, after consulting all concerned parties and the Cabinet, will soon send a letter to UN asking for its help for arms management during the post-conflict period. He added that the letter would have details of procedures for monitoring the ceasefire and weapons’ management.

He said he had raised the government’s concern on the abduction of seven Nepali

soldiers by Congo militants. “Secretary General assured me that he himself will take initiative for releasing Nepali soldiers,” said Oli.

During his meeting with foreign ministers of several countries, Oli sought their support for Nepal’s candidature of non-permanent membership to the United Nations Security Council for 2006-2007. However, their support in this regard was not forthcoming.

He said he took up the Bhutanese refugee issue with the State Secretary for foreign affairs of Norway, Raymond Johansen. “Let us first discuss the issue with Bhutan in the changed context of Nepal, then we will be able to make further strategy for the resolution of refugee issues,” said Oli.

Regarding the Nepalese ambassadors who were asked to return to Nepal within 45 days but have not complied, Oli said, “We will begin the necessary process to take action against those who have ignored the government’s direction.”

He added that the government would also take necessary action against those who have not returned diplomatic passport. “Action will be taken against them after making their names public,” said Oli.

Plea to send team

Kathmandu: A senior minister is reported to have conveyed to the United Nations that it can, while awaiting the formal letter from the government that has been delayed due to ‘technical reasons’, begin the process of sending an assessment team to Nepal. The team would assess the cost of managing arms of both the Nepali Army and the People’s Liberation Army. Meanwhile, counter terrorism expert Dr Thomas A Marks, in an email to this daily from Washington DC said he would not be visiting Nepal soon as reported. — HNS