ADMIRAL ROBERT F. WILLARD VISITS NEPAL
Kathmandu, 26 April: U.S. Navy Admiral Robert F. Willard, Commander of the United States Pacific Command, arrived in the capital Tuesday for a multi-day visit.
During his first visit to Nepal, he will meet with senior Nepal Army and government officials, as well as members of Nepali civil society to discuss disaster preparedness, Nepal’s role in international peacekeeping missions, and human rights issues, the US embassy said.
U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM) is responsible for protecting and defending, in concert with other U.S. Government agencies, the territory of the United States, its people, and its interests.
With allies and partners, USPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Asia-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, and deterring aggression. This approach is based on partnership, presence, and military readiness. Headquartered in Hawaii, USPACOM is one of six Unified Combatant Commands of the Armed Forces of the United States.
Also, this week, a team of nine U.S. military trainers will arrive via U.S. Air Force aircraft to participate in a joint U.S.-Nepal training activity which will focus on humanitarian assistance and disaster response, particularly water rescue.
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Envoys discuss the future of UNMIN


Kathmandu, 28 April: The British Ambassador Tuesday called a meeting of UN Security Council members represented in Nepal (China, France, Japan, Russia, USA and UK) for a discussion with the Representative of the UN Secretary General, Karin Landgren, the British embassy said.

The envoys were concerned that as yet there was no clarity on whether the Government of Nepal wished to extend UNMIN beyond its current mandate of 15 May 2010.

Dr Andrew Hall recalled the willingness of the international community to support Nepal, and urged that there should be clarity and consensus among the parties as to what kind of support they wanted. He said, “I urge the Government and the Unified CPN-Maoist to reach a consensus without delay.”

The Representative of the Secretary General briefed the meeting on the upcoming report of the Secretary General and the expected discussion of Nepal in the UN Security Council next week.

At the meeting concerns were expressed that the current political environment appeared to have prevented the parties from reaching an agreement on the future of UNMIN and the role they wished it to play in support of the peace process.

Government representatives it may consider the extension of the mandate with a revision.
Government is dissatisfied with the functioning of UNMIN.
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