UN monitors arriving within 10 days; assessment report is ready

A 35-member expert team of the United Nations is arriving in Nepal within ten days to monitor the management of arms and armies.

UN Secretary-General's personal representative to Nepal, Ian Martin, told a news conference at the UN office in Kathmandu that UN monitors would start their works as soon as they land here.

A group out of 35 monitors is set to arrive within 10 days while another team of 25 election experts will be here in the coming weeks, according to him.

The electoral advisors, who are yet to be recruited, will be working with the Election Commission for constituent assembly elections due mid-June 2007.

He said discussions were underway with the government and the Maoists on whether to involve former British and Indian Gurkha army personnel, as an interim taskforce, in the arms management work.

The UN envoy also informed that the UN Technical Assessment Mission (TAM), which started its works in Nepal one week earlier, has completed its assessment on logistical needs in the cantonments of the Maoist army, arrangement of resources and monitoring personnel.

"The assessment mission today completed its work, and I will be sending its report to the UN Headquarters for the decision of the secretary general," he said.

Based on the TAM report, the UN Headquarters will determine the budget and logistical support necessary for monitoring of arms and armies in Nepal.