UN, Nepal, and peace

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has thanked Nepal for supporting the UN peace- keeping operations for over half a century. More than 50,000 soldiers of the Nepal Army (NA) under the UN flag have already taken part in peace-keeping missions in various parts of the globe. The NA barracks at Nagarkot and Paanchkhal are specialised training centers for soldiers selected to serve as UN peacekeepers. The active involvement of the UN in the settlement of disputes indicates the seriousness and complexity of conflicts in a number of countries. However, UN operations have turned out to be a total failure in some of the countries. In an age of interdependence, the UN alone should not be depended upon for the settlement of disputes. The delay in establishing peace in a conflict-hit country has ramifications for neighbours as well. They must play an active role in helping establish peace in the region to ward off the negative impact of conflicts.

V P Sayami, Kathmandu

Revise

The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has reduced the price of petroleum products, following a period of decline in the world price of oil. However, it is very unfair of the transport entrepreneurs to continue to charge the same transport fares. The transport operators must

revise the fares immediately.

Deepak Shrestha, Jaljala High School, Kathmandu

A boost

The visit of the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, to Nepal has provided a further boost to Nepal’s peace process. As Moon said, Nepal has achieved more in recent times, be it in terms of peace or political consensus, but there are big challenges ahead. And the most important of them is undoubtedly the drafting of the constitution. So, it is time for our leaders to resolve their differences and move towards creating a prosperous future for the Nepalis.

Aashika Pokharel, via e-mail

Neglected

Mustang is one of the

seventy-five districts of Nepal. However, the Upper Mustang, which is also a popular tourist destination, remains one of the remotest parts of the country. People of Mustang have to depend on imports from the Tibetan autonomous region of China for their daily necessities. Moreover, as Mustan is not linked by air or road transport, local people are forced to take a five-day walk to the district headquarters. There is not a single school where our children can go to and study. While rich people hire helicopters to take patients to hospitals in the cities, the poor are left without help. When will the government turn its attention to the miseries of the people of Mustang?

Phontsok Sangpo, via e-mail

Deliver

Behind Maoist success in the CA polls is the story of struggle and sacrifice.

However, even weeks after its formation, the Maoist-led government has not been able to deliver on its promises. Why haven’t they been able to maintain law and order? What has

prevented them from returning the properties seized during the insurgency?

PM Prachanda certainly must have answers.

Dwaipayan Regmi, Biratnagar