“It is a positive development with the departure of UNMIN,” Tamrat Samuel, a senior UN official who represented the UN at the function told Republica, “It shows parties are keen to move forward to take responsibility of the post-UNMIN arrangements. We really hope that this will lead to urgent action on the integration and rehabilitation of the former combatants.”
Indian ambassador Rakesh Sood, who was in informal dress and came out of his designated place to busy himself taking pictures of the PLA, said this development was necessary to see the peace process conclude successfully. “Without this transfer, how can there be a successful peace process?” he said.
The US embassy in Kathmandu has, meanwhile, issued a statement congratulating Nepal’s leaders for completing the important process of transferring the command and control of Maoist combatants to the Special Committee on Supervision, Integration and Rehabilitation of Maoist combatants.
"The handover of the Maoist People’s Liberation Army to the Special Committee constitutes a welcome and positive step forward in the peace process," said the statement, adding, "In particular, we commend the UCPN-Maoist party for demonstrating its commitment to democracy by separating itself politically from the combatants."
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