Kathmandu, Nepal (BBN) – The break of consensus politics threatens to derail the ongoing peace process in Nepal, the Carter Center on Friday said.
“The Carter Center commends the significant progress that Nepal has made on the path to peace and stability during the last three years, but notes with concern that the breakdown in consensus politics following the 2008 Constituent Assembly elections, as well as the delay in implementing previous commitments, threatens to derail the progress made thus far,” the global non-profit organization co-founded by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter said in a press statement.
“In the interest of Nepali citizens, I encourage all political actors to build on the historic achievements of the past few years and work together in good faith,” the statement quoted Center’s co-founder Jimmy Carter as saying.
Carter also said: “This is essential for Nepal to overcome the challenges that undermine progress toward a genuine and lasting peace and the drafting of a democratic and inclusive constitution.”
In June 2009, The Carter Center deployed 15 long-term observers representing nine different nationalities to Nepal’s five development regions to identify the obstacles and opportunities to advancing the peace and constitution drafting processes, according to the statement.
The Carter Center has been actively engaged in Nepal since 2003 and, most recently, conducted a long term international election observation mission for the 2008 Constituent Assembly election.
Atlanta-based the Center has now been invited to continue its international observation presence in Nepal, focusing on the peace process and constitution drafting at the local, regional, and national levels, the statement added.
BBN/SS/SI/AD-11July09-2:44 am (BST)
