Kathmandu, Jan 13 (IANS) Nepal's northern neighbor China has crossed swords with the UN chief over Nepal, asking for a shorter term for a UN political mission in the Himalayan kingdom, a newspaper reported Saturday.
This week, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon tabled a report before the Security Council asking for the establishment of a 12-month political mission in Nepal.
At the closed-door consultations between the 15-member Security Council members in New York Thursday, China was the lone member asking for a six-month mission, the Kathmandu Post reported, citing unnamed sources in New York.
Most UN peacekeeping missions have a six-month mandate. The UN chief, however, has asked for UN presence in Nepal beyond the June election.
So far, the Nepal government and Maoists have asked the UN to help monitor the arms and armies of both sides and to observe the constituent assembly election, when the 238-year-old institution of monarchy will be put to vote, to ensure that it is free and fair.
There was no official comment on the media report by Nepal's government.
Ban Ki-Moon has asked the Security Council to authorize for 12 months a UN mission in Nepal comprising 186 military inspectors, poll advisers and police and civil administration teams.
If the council approves the proposal, the UN chief will appoint a special representative to head it.
The proposal is likely to be discussed next week, probably Tuesday, when a new parliament comes into effect in Nepal with the formerly banned Maoists joining it.
