We understand the grave concerns of the international community over the violent protests in the Tarai belt in which 50 people have already been killed. Now, to add to their concern, vital border points into Nepal have been effectively sealed. As our foreign friends have been suggesting all along, solutions to all outstanding constitutional issues in Nepal must be found through dialogue. The United Nations in Nepal, too, is understandably worried about the troubling recent developments in the Tarai. Yet few Nepalis were prepared for the statement from the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on September 22nd, where he merely 'acknowledged' the adoption of new constitution in Nepal. Most members of the international community, bar India, have heartily welcomed the new constitution, for a good reason. The charter has the backing of nearly 90 percent of the sovereign Constituent Assembly members. So it is disconcerting that the UN, an organization representing the collective spirit of all sovereign countries, should be so parsimonious in its praise of the national charter of Nepal promulgated by an overwhelming majority of lawmakers. Clearly, Ban Ki-moon had been badly briefed about ground realities in Nepal.For this the UN Resident Coordinator in Nepal, Jamie McGoldrick, has to shoulder the bulk of the blame. It is inconceivable that an organization like the UN, which works on behalf its member states, would in any way look to undermine the legitimacy of a democratically elected government. Yes, we have problems here in Nepal. But Nepali people are more than capable of finding their own solutions. Nepal relies on the UN so much with the belief that the global body is impartial, not beholden to any of the big global powers, or to particular groups inside the country. But if the UN itself starts distorting ground realities, who can our government trust to convey an accurate picture of Nepal to the outside world? Such faulty reporting of the resident coordinator also makes it hard for the host government to trust him and cooperate with him in different development endeavors. So we wholeheartedly support the government decision to write to the UN Secretary-General directly and to try clear the air. But this is not enough. Nepal should also seek clarification from McGoldrick for his recent conduct.
For the reporting from Nepal had to have been really bad for the Secretary-General to be so circumspect in welcoming the new constitution promulgated by the sovereign Constituent Assembly. In other words, the current UN resident coordinator is clearly unhappy with the functioning of the Nepali government. Nor were government sources Republica talked to all that pleased with McGoldrick as they believe he has misled the UN Secretary-General. This trust deficit between the two sides will be difficult to bridge. This is why the UN country head needs to be clearly told not to in any way try to spoil the all-important relationship between Nepal and the UN. Nepal is a sovereign country and the proud Nepali people zealously guard their sovereignty and their new constitution. The faulty UN reporting does them injustice.
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