Ian Martin: James Bond Of The UN Peacemaking Ambitions

Ian Martin: Heart Surgeon

I have been following Ian's work from a distance. When he descended upon Nepal, it was with the aura of someone who had done some major firefighting in East Timor. I was in awe. So was the top Nepali at the UN, Kul Chandra Gautam. He would talk so highly of Ian.

Today on my way back from the UN building where we met up with Ian, I was talking to Sanjaya Parajuli in his jeep as he drove me over to Brooklyn giving me a ride. I compared Ian to James Bond. In the police department, there are lots and lots of police officers. But then there are some star ones. They stand out. They don't don the uniform. They specialize in high profile cases. That is Ian in the UN peacemaking apparatus, although my knowledge of the UN is no way comprehensive. I am sure there are other stars in the galaxy that I don't know of.

I can't talk about the details of the meeting since it was off the record, and mostly casual. We were very comfortable, and we touched many bases. Anil Shahi, Somnath Ghimire were there.
























In The News

Republic should be established in time after removing king's power: PM Kantipur the NC district heads asserted that the interim parliament had no authority to declare a republic
Strikes banned in 15 essential services
YCL force police out of office in Rasuwa, thrash administrator in Kailali A group of some 70 YCL cadres had chased away the policemen in a degrading manner by prodding them onwards with sticks.

Speaker intensifies efforts to break ice; Madhesi MPs still to stall House NepalNews Madhesi MPs have said they will not allow it to run till their concerns are addressed. The House has been stalled by Maoist MPs as well as Madhesi MPs since last few weeks. ..... Hridayesh Tripathy, general secretary of Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP-Anandidevi), said that they were still seeking time from political leaders to meet to resolve the problem. ...... "We are also trying to get appointment to meet with the Prime Minister. But if the political parties do not show concern towards our demands, the House meeting on Wednesday, too, will be stalled," Tripathy said after an interaction by Democratic Madhesi Organisation. ...... The Madhesi MPs, on the other hand, have demanded fresh census and fresh delimitation of constituencies based on that census, formation of high level commission to probe atrocities during Madhes agitation, among others.
Koirala starts political parleys; 8-party meet on Thursday
Four parties agree to end House deadlock

Three killed in Bara after indiscriminate firing NepalNews
Govt plans to hold talks with all agitating groups within mid-May

Empowering Women In The UNMIN Structure

This petition is being circulated by some women activists. I have been requested to stand by it and support it. I do.

Rationale for having the position of Deputy Representative, UNMIN filled up by a WOMAN CANDIDATE, preferably from South Asia

The aforesaid was supported through signatures by 23 participants at the seminar on “Nepal : Road to Peace,”at the Asia Society, New York, on April 25, 2007, copies of which were sent to Secy. General, Chef de Cabinet to SG, SGSR to UNMI, Mr. Ian Martin, USGs DPKO and DPA UN and Ambassadors of South Asian countries to the UN.

A. Recent statements on Gender Balance / women in senior positions in the UN

March 8, 07, Int. Women’s Day

Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migoro had delivered a speech at Headquarters at an event titled “Breaking Barriers: Achieving Balance in Numbers and Work-Life.” In her remarks, the Deputy-Secretary-General is expected to say that “resolution after resolution of the General Assembly has called for 50-50 gender balance in the staff of the United Nations system. But so far, we have failed to make it a reality.”

March 6, 07 Press Briefing by Spokesperson of the Secy. General

Question: As you know, there is an important debate today in the General Assembly on the gender equality and empowerment of women. Since the Secretary-General's assumed duties in Headquarters, he has made a number of senior appointments. How many of those appointments concern women? Is there a ratio?

Spokesperson: Well, it's a little difficult to say now, because as you know the process is still continuing. As you know, the DSG is a woman and I think she's an important part of the equation. And as you know, Alicia Barcéna is Head of Management and we will know more in the next few days about other, about the ratio that you're talking about.

Feb. 26, 07 : Commission on Status of Women

The Deputy Secretary…referring to the proposals to strengthen the UN's gender architecture, as presented by the High-Level Panel on United Nations System-Wide Coherence, the Deputy Secretary-General said she and the Secretary-General agree wholeheartedly with the Panel's suggestion to replace several current structures with one dynamic UN entity focused on gender equality and women's empowerment. Such an entity should mobilize forces of change at the global level, and inspire enhanced results at the country level.

She also said she will do all she can to meet the goal of 50-50 gender balance within the United Nations.

December 14, 2006

SG had stated in his press conference on December 14, 2006 that "In making senior appointments, I will give primary consideration to individual merit, with due regard to gender balance and geographical distribution."

B. Rationale for having the position of Deputy Representative, UNMIN filled up by a WOMAN CANDIDATE, preferably from South Asia

As per the statistical chart compiled by the Office of Gender Advisor in the UN, as on June 30, 2006; the male female ratio for the senior-level positions at the USG and ASG levels were as follows, and the 50: 50 goal is as yet a far cry.:

a. USG-level: Male 39 and female 16 ; ratio is 2.5: 1

b. ASG-level: Male 41 and women 11; ratio is 4: 1

2. Now, as regards the number of women in the category of Secretary General’s Special Representatives and Personal Envoys, in the list posted on the UN website (at the USG/ASG levels), of 61 Peace-Keeping + 27 other high level appointees=88, only 4, are women, the ratio being 22:1, which is abysmally low.

3. And in the list of the 61 Peace-Keepers in Missions-- comprising SG’s Special Representatives and Deputy Special Representatives, at the USG and ASG levels, as per the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (CHD) Geneva’s report of Oct. 2006, By Antonia Potter, entitled : "We the women ; why Conflict Mediation is not just a job for Men;" “Of these 61, just 4* (6.5 %) are women—two in top jobs and two deputies (see box)….Readers will note that none of these women have come from Africa, or barring one, from Asia; but that is a story for a different paper.” (p. 4).

* Ratio is 12:1

NB: As per the names of the incumbents compiled in the box:

a. In 2005, of the 4 women, 1 (SRSG) was Swiss, 2 (SRG an DSRSG) Canadians, and 1 (DSRSG)Bangladeshi--, Ameera Haq, who incidentally is there in her position as Resident Coord.of UNDP in Afghanistan and was appointed as a Peace Keeper per se.

b. Between 2000 and 2004, of the 3 DSRSGs, 2 were Swedish, and 1 Khrgyz

c. Before 2000, of the 4 SRSGs, 1 was British, I Jamaican, I Finn, and I from Newzealand

4. Now, in the case of the UNMIN, the SRSG (USG_level) is the eminently qualified and experienced Mr. Ian Martin from Britain. As regards the position of the Deputy SRSG (at the ASG-level), yet to be filled, in view of the data above, there is a strong rationale for the position to be filled by a WOMAN,* and from the global south. As in the case of mission postings in African countries where language requirement is an important pre-requisite, in the case of Nepal, facility with local languages too needs to be an important prerequsite, which a South Asian incumbent is likely to have.

** Given the enormity of the tasks relating to Women’s issues in Nepal, having a woman incumbent, familiar with the socio-cultural settings of the region, would be a definite asset. Given below are some excerpts on UNMIN from the Secretary General’s report of January 9, 2007 to the Security Council

· The role of the SR (and presumably that of his Deputy), as outlined in the said report would inter alia involve coordinating “all activities of the United Nations system in Nepal for support to the peace process…. The advisers will liaise closely with United Nations agencies that coordinate implementing networks for the inclusion of women and traditionally excluded groups, and for child protection. Induction programmes for mission personnel will include training on gender and social exclusion issues in Nepal…” (paras 47-48).

· The report further states that “The Peace accord also called for “proportional representation of oppressed groups, regions, Madhesis, women, Dalit and other groups… The promise of 33 per cent representation for women in all decisionmaking structures has not been realized in existing peace process structures such as the Peace Committee and the Interim Constitution Drafting Committee. It is urgent that the Nepalese parties open the door to the role that women can and should play in the process, as reflected in Security Council resolution 1325 (2000).”(paras 15, 20).

Summing Up: It is hoped that the Secretary General, concerned USGs (DPKO and DPA) and the SRSG, UNMINMr. Ian Martin would consider the aforesaid requirements in making their selection for the position of the DSRSG, UNMIN

In The News

Establishing republic is not that easy, says Koirala NepalNews most of the district presidents raised objection to the activities of the Maoist youth wing, the Young Communist League (YCL).
UML chief shoots down leftist unity proposal "How can we talk about leftist unity when even our senior comrade Amrit Bohara's properties have not been returned (by the Maoists)?" Nepal asked..... Nepal also said that the issue of CA elections must not be overshadowed in the name of republic. Reacting to Maoist stance that election can be postponed for a long time if republic is declared
Uncertainly shrouds second-phase verification of PLA combatants
NC deplores Bardiya attack; YCL warns of nationwide agitation engaged in expansion drive aiming to rope in 500,000 members across the country and mobilise them for republican campaign
Maoist victims to launch third round of agitation
New petroleum act in the offing, says Mahato

Shocking news: Nepal King biggest electricity defaulter Daily News, Sri Lanka Gyanendra owes more than 460,000 dollars in unpaid electricity bills, making him the Himalayan nation’s biggest power defaulter ...... for electricity supplied to four royal palaces and bungalows since early 2005.

मई १२ िदउँसो १ बजे सेन्ट्रल पार्क दक्िषण पूर्व कोणा

ANONYM: Association Of Nepali Organizations In New York Metro

मई १२ िदउँसो १ बजे सेन्ट्रल पार्क दक्िषण पूर्व कोणामा नभम्बर १२ को िमिटङको िनर्णय अनुसार मेरो अध्यक्षता रहेको संगठन हाम्रो नेपालको तत्वावधानमा न्यु यर्क मेट्रोका सबै नेपाली संगठनका अध्यक्ष अथवा प्रितिनिधलाई यसै सन्देश मार्फत म डाक्दछु। कृपया १० िमनेट अगािड नै अाउनुहोला तािक हाम्रो िमिटङ समयमै शुरू हुन सकोस्।

कोहीले भन्लान सेन्ट्रल पार्कमा िकन? जाडो गयो। गर्मी अायो। गर्मीलाई स्वागत गरौं। अमेिरकाको सबैभन्दा पुरानो पार्क सेन्ट्रल पार्क। त्यो ऐितहािसक िमिटङ जसले न्यु यर्क मेट्रोका सबै नेपाली संगठनको छाता संगठनको स्थापना गर्नेछ भन्ने मैले पुर्ण िवश्वास िलएको छु त्यसकालािग सेन्ट्रल पार्कभन्दा बढी उपयुक्त ठाउँ अरू कुन हुन सक्छ? छाता संगठन स्थापना गर्नुपर्ने भनेको न्यु यर्कको मेनस्ट्रीममा नेपाली कम्युिनटीलाई लगौं भन्ने अाग्रह हो। त्यसैले क्वीन्सको कुनै एकान्त कुनामा लुकीिछपी भेंट्नुभन्दा खुल्लमखुल्ला न्यु यर्क शहरको सबैभन्दा केन्द्रीय स्थलमा भेंट्नु उपयुक्त म देख्दछु।

ताराजीले पिहलो कदम चाल्नुभयो, खगेन्द्रजीले त्यस प्रयासमा तल्ला थप्नुभयो। मेरो छाता संगठनको प्रस्ताव वहाँहरूको िवरोधी नभएर वहाँहरूकै काँधमािथ चढेर नेपाली कम्युिनटीलाई अझै संगिठत र बिलयो बनाउन खोज्ने प्रयास हो।

म चाहौंला मई १२ को िमिटङ दुई घण्टाभन्दा बढी नलम्िबयोस्। मैले स्वागत भाषण तीन िमनेट गरौंला। त्यसपिछ िवगत छ मिहनाका कर्िडनेशन किमटीका हाम्रा कर्िडनेटर तारा िनरौलाले तीन िमनेट बोल्नुहोला िवगत छ मिहनाका हाम्रा कम्युिनटीका गितिविधहरूबारे। त्यसपिछ उपस्िथत ३०-३५ जनाले एक िमनेटभन्दा कम लगाएर अा-अाफ्नो नाम, पिरचय, संगठनको नाम भन्नुहोला। यसरी अाधा घन्टा िबत्नेछ।

त्यसपिछ मैले छाता संगठनको प्रस्ताव राख्नेछु। त्यसबारे सबैले पालैिपलो १-१ िमनेट बोल्नुहुनेछ। यसरी ३० िमनेट जित िबत्नेछ। त्यसपिछ यिद सर्वसम्मतबाट प्रस्ताव पािरत हुने नदेिखएमा दोस्रो राउण्ड छलफल हुनेछ। त्यसमा प्रमुख ४-५ जनाले २-२ िमनेट बोल्नुहुनेछ। त्यसपिछ खुल्लमखुल्ला भोिटङ हुनेछ। मलाई पुर्ण िवश्वास छ छाता संगठनको प्रस्ताव भारी बहुमतबाट पािरत हुनेछ भन्ने कुरा। यिद पािरत भएन भने मई मिहनाको िमिटङको कन्िभनरको हैिसयतले म अागामी छ मिहनाकालािग कर्िडनेटर हुन्छु र नभम्बरकोकन्िभनर चुन्नुपर्नेछ।

छाता संगठनको प्रस्ताव पािरत भएर छाता संगठनको स्थापना भएमा हामीले तुरुन्तै केही महत्वपूर्ण िनर्णयहरू गर्नुपर्ने हुन्छ। पिहलो हो पाँच पदािधकारीको िनर्वाचन। अध्यक्ष, २ उपाध्यक्ष, सेक्रेटरी, र ट्रेजरर। म अध्यक्ष पदको दावेदार हुँ। म चाहौंला िनर्िवरोध नै िनर्वािचत होअौं। होइन भने चुनाव हुन्छ। उम्मेदवारहरूले २-२ िमनेट बोलनेछन्। त्यसपिछ हात उठाएर खुल्लमखुल्ला भोिटङ हुन्छ। अरूहरू पदहरूकालािग अा-अाफै अगािड अाउनुपर्यो। लुना रंिजत सेक्रेटरी भइिदए हुन्थ्यो, चन्द्र प्रकाश शर्मा ट्रेजरर भइिदए हुन्थ्यो भन्ने त मलाई लागेको हो। जनजाित समुहबाट कोही एक जना उपाध्यक्ष भए हुन्थ्यो जस्तो त मलाई लागेको हो।

त्यसपिछ २-४ वटा किमटी गठन गर्नुपर्ने भएकोछ। पिहलो हो Social Affairs Committee। मेरो प्रस्ताव रहनेछ ताराजीले यसको अध्यक्ता गर्नुहोस्। िविभन्न नेपाली कार्यक्रमहरूमा वहाँलाई मुख्य अितिथको रूपमा डाक्ने गरेको मैले देखेको छु। त्यो कायम रहोस्।

दोस्रो हो Political Committee। यसमा युथ काउन्िसल, अलायन्स, टेक गुरूङवाला फोरम, मेरै हाम्रो नेपाल, लुनाको अिधकार सम्िमिलत रहने छन्। हामीले न्यु यर्कमा नेपालीहरूलाई मतािधकार िदलाउनकालािग खट्नेछौं। यस किमटीको प्रमुख काम हुनेछ मेट्िरक्स बनाउने र दशौं हजारको संख्यामा नेपालीहरूलाई संगिठत गर्ने। मेट्िरक्स ले हामीलाई नेपाली कम्युिनटी बािहर जान पिन सघाउनेछ। अरू दक्िषण एिसयाली, एिसयाली समूहहरू, अफ्िरकी र िहस्प्यािनक समूहहरू। हामीले िवस्तारै सबैलाई नेतृत्व प्रदान गर्नेछौं। Global South को एकता चािहयो।

तेस्रो Community Center Feasibility Committee। कम्युिनटी सेन्टर खोल्ने िक नखोल्ने, खोल्ने भए कसरी खोल्ने जस्ता कुरा छन्।

चौथो, Convention Committee। प्रत्येक मे मिहनामा हामीले एउटा नेपाली कन्भेन्शन गर्ने। हाम्रो छाता संगठनको अाम्दानीको मुख्य स्रोत यही नै हुनेछ।

र यी सबै कामकालािग छ मिहनामा एक पटक हामी भेला हुने, अरू बेलाकालािग मैले एउटा अनलाइन अिफस खोलेको छु। ANONYM: Online Office हामीले इन्टरनेट र इमेलको भरपुर प्रयोग गर्नुपर्छ। मुखामुख भेटेर मात्र काम हुने पिरपाटी त्याग्नुपर्छ नत्र िक त कामै हुँदैन, िक त एकदम िढलो हुन्छ। अनलाइन अिफसमा नेपालीमा लेख्ने सुिवधा पिन छ।

र एउटा महत्वपूर्ण कुरा। अािदवासी जनजाित महासंघलाई डाउन पार्न यो छाता संगठन खोल्न लागेको भन्ने हल्ला पिन यत्रतत्र सुिनन्छ। त्यो सही होइन। नेपालको पिरप्रेक्षयमा जनजाित अिधकारकालािग न्यु यर्कको अािदवासी जनजाित महासंघले एकदमै ठुलो भूिमका खेल्दै अाएको छ र त्यो संघर्ष त जारी नै छ र त्यसप्रित मेरो पुरा नैितक समर्थन छ।

तर यो न्यु यर्कमा छाता संगठन िकन खोल्नुपरेको भन्दा खेिर नेपालमा जसरी मधेशी, जनजाित, दिलत, मिहला राजनीितक रूपले िपछिडएका छन् त्यसै गरी न्यु यर्कमा सबै नेपाली िपछिडएका छन, चाहे त्यो नेपाली बाहुन होस्, क्षेत्री होस्, मधेशी जनजाित जेसुकै होस्। र यो छाता संगठनको अाइिडया र प्रेरणा नै मैले अािदवासी जनजाित महासंघ बाट पाएको हुँ। यो छाता संगठनले न्यु यर्कमा संघर्ष गर्नेछ सबै नेपालीकालािग। अािदवासी जनजाित महासंघको अाफ्नै स्थान छ र त्यो कायम नै रहनेछ।

मई १२ िदउँसो १ बजे सेन्ट्रल पार्क दक्िषण पूर्व कोणामा अाउन निबर्िसनुहोला। १० िमनेट अगािड नै अाउनुहोला।

NYC Nepali
न्यु यर्कमा छाता संगठनको अावश्यकता
New York Metro Nepalis: Organizational Challenges
ANONYM: Association Of Nepali Organizations In New York Metro

In The News

Sushil Koirala, Poudel deplore Maoist attempt to foil NC programme NepalNews transport strike by pro-Maoist elements in Hetauda, Kalaiya and Nijgadh area to affect the NC meeting. .... leftist parties have also made moves to forge larger communist unity – a move that has ruffled the feathers of NC leaders
Police firing kills protester in Sarlahi
Maoists for forming republican alliance: Badal 'third Jana Andolan' will be launched to achieve republic through streets. ..... his party was preparing to declare republic through street, parliament and government. He said an alliance of republican forces would soon be formed. .... his party did not favour immediate replacement of government's leadership. ..... senior Maoist leader Mohan Baidya 'Kiran' had said that republic cannot be announced by isolating Nepali Congress. ..... they were raising issue of leftist unity to foil moves to isolate the Maoists

Students Condemn MJF Decision to Contest Polls Himalayan Times "The government is trying to escape from its responsibility to provide treatment to the people injured during the movement," Jha said. ..... Citing the MJF's submissive attitude and double standards, the students' body officially cut its relation with the MJF.
MJF Essayed Gaur Killings: NHRC Report

Chure-Bhawar Samaj urges govt to create favorable climate for talks Kantipur The Samaj's coordinator Babu Thapa has demanded that the manslaughter charges against nine of the society’s cadres be dropped as well as the formation of a high-level probe to investigate into the loss incurred by the people of hilly origin during the Terai unrest be launched, declaration of Pahades (people of hilly origin) killed during the unrest period as martyrs before sitting down for talks.
EC deadline draws 41 more party registrations
‘60,000 not a cap on Bhutan refugees intake’
Village couple evicted for ‘love marriage’
Parliament can declare a republic at once if parties agree: Speaker

Parliament cannot announce republic, says Poudel NepalNews
Industrialist Mohan Gopal Khetan passes away
Lawyers not held, claim Chure protesters
Home Minister vows to clear highways

UML, Maoists agree to call eight-party meet immediately Kantipur
Madhesi judge to head panel to probe into Madhesi movement
Chure-Bhanwar activists continue highway vandalism
Decision on monarchy through CA polls: Poudel
End impunity: OHCHR
Leaders back republican cause on first Janaandolan II anniversary
OHCHR-Nepal lauds HR activists' role during, after April movement

MJF forms four-member talk team NepalNews led by its chairman Upendra Yadav ..... Sitanandan Raya, Kishor Kumar Bishwas Tharu and Mohammad Nasir Siddiqui
Congress blamed for CA polls uncertainty Mohan Baidya aka Kiran accused that the prime minister had thrown CA into uncertainty at the guidance of the United States and India ...... Stressing the need for larger leftist unity, Baidya went on to castigate PM Koirala as a new "King" ..... Threatening to unite all the leftist forces, the two largest communist parties have asked the NC to toe their line and announce republic through the parliament.
Seven parties registered with EC CPN (Marxist Leninist), Nepal Sadbhawana Party (Anandi Devi), CPN (United), Rastriya Janata Dal, Nepal Samata Party, Dalit Janajati Party and Hariyali Nepal Party. ..... 23 political parties have been registered with the EC till today.
Cabinet decides to form judicial commission to probe atrocities during terai unrest The meeting of the council of ministers held this morning has decided to form a judicial probe commission to investigate into the terai unrest and subsequent reports of atrocities. ..... decided that the commission would be led by retired Justice from Madhesi community
UML, Maoists discuss left unity; bash PM Maoist chairman Prachanda and UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal held meeting Wednesday morning to discuss the possibility of Left unity for constituent assembly polls. ...... finalising the new date for the constituent assembly election and declaring Nepal a republic through the interim Legislature-Parliament. .... at the UML party headquarter in Balkhu ..... blamed Prime Minister GP Koirala for all the delays in holding the election on scheduled time. ..... reached an understanding for formation of the Left alliance for republic. The leaders also agreed that referendum could be another way to end monarchy. ..... Bharat Mohan Adhikari, Bam Dev Gautam, Amirt Kumar Bohara, Dr. Baburam Bhattarai were also present
Civil society leaders question NA salute to King Gyanendra
Maoist lawmakers demand NC's viewpoint on republic announcement accused the Prime Minister for working against the peace process and posing obstacle in the announcement of republic. .... "The declaration of republic (through the parliament) is the only option now. What is NC's viewpoint on this?" asked Janardan Sharma, a Maoist lawmaker. ....... The meeting further asked the government to cancel the recommendations made by Electoral Constituency Delineation Commission (ECDC).
Poudel hints govt's readiness to cast aside ECDC counsel given demands by Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF), Madhesi MPs and even the Maoists, the government faced 'constitutional complications' in implementing the recommendations made by ECDC ..... the press meet organised to inform the MJF of the government's willingness to create conducive environment for talks with them. ...... the government would guarantee security to MJF leaders who come for the talks. "The government urges the MJF to suspend their Madhes bandh scheduled for April 20-22 to create environment from their side"
MJF reiterates old demands, asks govt to stop constituency delineation process reiterating its demands for immediate halt in the electoral constituency delineation process and an inquiry into the loss of lives and property during the agitations in Terai.
MJF, JTMM (Goit) welcome talks offer, demand 'conducive environment' the JTMM led by Jaya Krishna Goit has also urged the government to create a conducive environment for talks. ...... Talking to journalists in Itahari on Sunday, Goit said there was no alternative to talks and that his party was still ready to sit for talks. .... He said the government should announce a ceasefire soon and release all arrested JTMM leaders and cadres unconditionally for talks.
Poudel asks MJF, JTMM to come to the table urged all sides to assist in holding the election to constituent assembly as it is the only way to settle all contentious issues.
Elections postponement not a disaster: Martin Ian Martin has said that "if dealt with properly, the postponement of the polls can provide an opportunity to strengthen the peace process." ..... to hold successful CA elections, mere technical preparations are not adequate. He stressed the need to ensure representation of traditionally marginalised communities. ....... He referred to the comprehensive peace pact ending the conflict; storage of Maoist weapons under UN monitoring; mutual cooperation among Maoist army, Nepali Army and the UN; promulgation of interim constitution; formation of interim parliament and Maoist-included interim cabinet within one year as the evidence of the rapid advancement of peace process, which he added takes time anywhere.