Kathmandu, Sept 27: Amidst renewed violence in Nepal following the withdrawal of a ceasefire by Maoists, the United Nations has said it was ready to help the government and the rebels resolve the conflict but would not get directly involved. "The United Nations is ready to provide its good offices to resolve the conflict in Nepal as already stated by Secretary-General Kofi Annan," newly-appointed UN resident coordinator to Nepal, Matthew Kahane, was quoted as saying yesterday by government-run daily 'The Rising Nepal'.
"But both the sides must first agree to the kind of role (the UN should play) to ease the problem," he added.
Kahane said the UN would not be directly involved in the process. "We, however, have to think over what and how it can be done as the UN has made significant contributions in peacekeeping process in other parts of the world," he added.
"As the existing conflict is a complex and sensitive issue, it should be resolved quietly and sincerely," he added.
Nepal has been witnessing almost daily incidents of violence since the Maoists called off a seven-month ceasefire late last month after the failure of peace talks with the government. Yesterday, however, the rebels announced a nine-day unilateral ceasefire from October two coinciding with the Hindu festival of Vijaya Dashami.
Kahane condemned the Maoist attacks on development and social infrastructures, saying these would not serve the interests of the poor but only worsen their problems.
Bureau Report