UN, Britain envoys welcome government-guerrillas pact

Chiefs of United Nations (UN) and the Britain's diplomat missions in Nepal have welcomed the momentous agreement reached on Friday between the government and guerrillas of Nepal, local media reported here Sunday.

"UN's Resident Coordinator in Nepal, Matthew Kahane, said he was very pleased to see that Seven Party Alliance (SPA), the government and guerrillas have been able to reach the understanding," The Kathmandu Post (TKP), a local English language national daily, reported.

"It seems to me a roadmap to peace and reconciliation," TKP quoted Matthew as saying.

Matthew said he was still awaiting official comments form the UN Headquarters in New York.

Following a daylong meeting among topmost guerrillas leaders and ruling SPA leaders, they came up with, among others, an eight- point agreement, which they termed "historic".

In the agreement, besides drawing a roadmap to hold an election for the constituent assembly, they have decided to invite the UN to manage and monitor the weapons and armies of the government and guerrillas.

"We are interested to see that this [inviting the UN] is mentioned [in the agreement]," Kahane said, adding, "If we are asked officially, I am sure we will examine it very carefully to see how we can help."

Likewise, British Ambassador Keith Bloomfield said the fresh agreement was a "positive development".

"The agreement is very good hoping that it will result in free and fair election, which the British Government supports," Keith noted.

He said, however, there should be a bankable guarantee that precludes the guerrillas from going back to the jungle.

The spokesperson at the United States Embassy declined to make any comment on the fresh agreement, only saying that "we support the people of Nepal in their effort to establish peaceful, prosperous and democratic Nepal."

Indian embassy spokesperson Gopal Baglay said he didn't have any official response from New Delhi, the TKP reported.

Source: Xinhua