Calls them to take steps for polls

Kathmandu, September 20:

The government and the CPN-Maoist have renewed their commitment to the country’s peace process in conversations with the top United Nations political official who urged them yesterday to reach a political compromise in the greater interest of the peace deal.

B Lynn Pascoe, the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, called Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Maoist Chairman Prachanda on behalf of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who “has been following the recent political developments in Nepal with concern,” UN spokesperson Michele Montas told reporters in New York yesterday.

In telephonic conservations with the two leaders, Pascoe also stressed the need to press forward with the Constituent Assembly election as scheduled in November.

“Both leaders reiterated their commitment to the peace process, and also noted that eight-party discussions were continuing positively with the goal of overcoming the current difficulties in the near future,” Montas said, according to the UN’s official website.

Over 180 arms monitors are mandated to monitor the arms and armies of the former adversaries, the Maoist army and the Nepal Army, who are confined to cantonments and barracks in the lead-up to the election.