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Contents:
Welcoming
Remarks Your Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a singular honor and privilege for Nepal and the Royal Nepalese Army to host the South Asia Peace Operations Seminar 2002. On behalf of his Majesty's Government of Nepal, the Royal Nepalese Army and myself, I extend a warm welcome to the participants and delegates to the Kingdom of Nepal. I would like to inform this international gathering that this seminar is being co-sponsored by the United Nations Department of peacekeeping Operations, the US Pacific Command, and the Royal Nepalese Army. The Center of Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance has played an extremely vital role in the coordination of this important event. It is highly encouraging to note that senior participants from twenty countries are participating in this Seminar Game. The collective experiences gained in peace operations by the various representatives will, I am confident, benefit everyone through discussions under the able guidance of professional and experienced directing staff. This Seminar Game is the fifth event in the Asia Pacific Peace Operations Capacity Building Program whose aim is to achieve better understanding in exploring the strategic and operational issues. It also aims to enhance national and regional inter-agency co-ordination and cooperation. After the end of the Cold War, as nations have moved forward, turmoil and confusion in various parts of the world have destabilized the world in general. As the international Community's guardian for peace and security, the United Nations has an added responsibility to launch effective peace operations worldwide in various regions. Therefore, proactive thought processes must be catered for, as peacekeeping operations have become more complex and challenging. The complexity of diverse emerging conflicts in various regions demand highly professional approaches to all problems. The planners at higher levels need to be acquainted and understand the possible diverse and complex situations. The participating officers and men in peace support operations should be well versed and trained to face these challenges. I believe this four and a half day seminar aims to develop multilateral, multifunctional, operational level peacekeeping operations skills which I believe will help you to understand the operational level training, planning, conduct and exit strategies for modern peacekeeping operations. This seminar, which encompasses lectures from distinguished personalities, will share their vast experiences with you and together with brainstorming exercises and discussions during you seminar, better capabilities and qualities of the peacekeepers for future deployment will no doubt be enhanced. Mutual cooperation, coordination and understanding among the UN agencies, international non-governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and volunteer organizations have always been a major challenge in the process of achieving the common goals of any mission, but through these seminars, where different agencies are deeply involved, the participants get an opportunity to interact and understand capabilities and limitations faced by each other for the benefit of any impending missions. Ladies and Gentlemen, one of Nepal's main foreign policy objectives is to bring peace, security and prosperity in the world as envisioned by the United Nations Charter. Our peacekeeping efforts in various regions of the world have been the main instrument to enhance this adopted policy. To ascertain Nepal's full support to the United Nations Charter, the Government of Nepal started sending peacekeepers to various Peace Support Missions since 1959. At present the Royal Nepalese Army has contributed one infantry battalion in Sierra Leone and one rifle company in East Timor, with some observers and staff, totaling 1,006 personnel. Currently there are 132 Civil Police participating in various Peace Support Operations. Nepal has also signed an agreement with the United Nations in 1997 to contribute an additional 2,000 troops to the UN Standby Arrangement System. The policy of the Royal Nepalese Army for peacekeeping missions was to concentrate troops at a particular location, train the peacekeepers and then send them to their missions. Since this has been a continuous process the Royal Nepalese Army planned to establish and institutionalize a training center and this process began in January 2000 when the Multi-Platoon Training Exercise was conducted. The Royal Nepalese Army is trying to enhance the infrastructure and training facilities of the school with the help of the United Kingdom and the United States of America. On behalf of the Royal Nepalese Army, I would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to the governments of both countries for their friendly gesture and commitment to world peace. Finally, I would like to express our deep gratitude to the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the US Pacific Command for giving Nepal and the Royal Nepalese Army an opportunity to host this Seminar-Game and would also like to express our sincere obligations the Center of Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance for coordinating this event. Here, please permit me to state and express our deep appreciation to the various countries, organizations, and individuals who have contributed and assisted us in making this event happen. I sincerely hope all the delegates who have traveled a long way to participate in this Seminar-Game will feel at home and enjoy the warm hospitality of the Nepalese. I wish this seminar all success. Thank you.
Keynote
Address General Rana, members of the Armed Forces of Nepal, law enforcement agencies, ambassador, secretaries of the government or the government officials, distinguish guests and participants in this important seminar. This must be among the most eclectic and diverse groupings ever to descend on Kathmandu. But such diversity couldn't be more appropriate given the subject: international peacekeeping. Indeed, since September 11th, the community of peace loving nations has come together to recognize that protecting the peace is a collective responsibility. We are all on this planet together. We all have the same aspirations for good and productive lives for our family members and ourselves. For our children's education, good health and world peace. So when situations arise that challenge that positive world order which can be addressed by collective response, it is the responsibility and obligation of all of our countries to come together to restore and preserve the peace. Here in Nepal as we all know right now there is no peace, but I do believe that there are lessons for both, those of us who live in Nepal and through the international community. And I believe that these lessons lead us to a vision that is applicable both in Nepal and to newly emerging democracies around the world. As we all know Nepal is critically plagued with a terrorism that is shaking its various foundations as a nation. These terrorists under the guise of some type of Maoist are the so-called people whose war are fundamentally the same as terrorists everywhere. Be they members of the Shining Path, Abbu Sayef of the Philippines, the Kmer Rouge of Cambodia. These are radicals, true believers, and arrogant egotists. They seek to impose their narrow views and beliefs on others despite the will of those seek to influence or convert. They use barbaric tactics and they know no reason. Eleven years ago Nepal chose a form of government that is being used around the world by nations that want to move forward to the 21st century. Democracy is the only form of government that allows for citizens to select their own leaders who have to test their performance at regular elections. The form of government best designed to allow people to reach the highest human potential. Having fail to receive the popular support of the Nepali people at the ballot box, the so-called Maoist now seek to achieve their aim through the use of force, violence, extortion, intimidation, and murder. For too long the struggle to protect the Nepal democracy was waged solely by a poorly equipped police force. Over the last six years, hundreds of courageous and patriotic police officials have been killed for the service of their country. Since last November army soldiers also have been killed. The number is unfortunately growing. In democracies the death of even one police officer or one soldier is a community and national tragedy. These are young men and women who put their lives at risk in order to protect the freedom of the common citizens. I salute the police officers and the soldiers who have died at the hands of the so-called MaoistÉthe terrorist. Each one is hero. Each one deserves the status of a national martyr. Our thoughts and condolences go out to their families and their communities. But the lesson for Nepal and by extension to other young democracies is the absolute importance for all democratic institutions including security forces both police and military to be well coordinated in defense of Nepal's constitution against all enemies, both foreign and domestic. I want to end this part of my talk with a bit of a vision, a vision of a future Nepal at peace, in which the total security needs of the nation are organized and staffed in a manner that makes sense for Nepal situations, such that each branch of the security service, be it the police, the armed police, military has the equipment and training it needs to protect the peace under the guidance of elective leaders and the country. And for those of the audience from Nepal's military and General Rana, I praise your commitment to this vision. We had an opportunity presented by General Rana and his men to go to Nepal and talk to the people in the military and from the police in the fieldÉ[the visit] brought home the terror and the sadness that these insurgents bring to Nepal. We also found high moral among the military, police, and the Nepalese. What they need is help, equipment, and support. Support from people like us from the international community, but also from their own people. I was heartened to read in the paper today, some human rights group coming out on behalf of the government, and denouncing the so-called Maoists. I wish they had done so earlier, I wish we had done so earlier. Because what we saw in Western Nepal was really the face of evil. There's no sympathy for the leaders. There's no sympathy for the people whoÉhave been using callus tactics, terrorist tactics, using children against a democratically elected government, the must be stopped. For the rest of you in the audience from other countries I likewise praise your commitment, protecting the international peace. I'm well aware of the importance of the Asian Pacific Peace Operations Capacity Building Program and the seminars, symposiums and exercises and peace games that you undertake and facilitate multi-national dialogue of the nature of peace operations of the world. Because of this program, participant forces are bettered prepared and coordinated. The rules of engagement under international laws, treaties, and conventions are better understood. These joint efforts under the United Nations Department of Peace Keeping Operations that have and will take place in several nations in Asia that include both military and civilian defense forces will result in more effective humanitarian peacekeeping missions. Congratulations to the Center of Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance and the Asia Pacific Area Network, for designing the successful prior events that were held in Manila in May of 2000; In Bangkok in July of 2000; In Dhaka in September 2000; and in Kuala Lumpur in April 2001. And best of luck for undertaking the five additional events that will take place in 2002, and the final six events in 2003. Peacekeepers, yours is a known and patriotic work of which you should be greatly proud. Good luck! You have my sincere best wishes and support.
Closing
Remarks Your Excellency, Honorable Generals, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is my great pleasure and honor to conclude the South Asia Peace Operations Seminar Game 2002 today. The participation in the seminar from twenty countries was quite encouraging. Ladies and gentlemen, in the present world scenario, instability, confusion and violence are prevalent. The governments are unable to satisfy the growing aspirations of the people. Therefore, the major challenge at present and in the days ahead is in the form of internal violence. On the first day of the seminar, Col Peter Leentjes had very rightly brought out the salient points at to why Peace Support Operations in the case of intra-state conflicts are more difficult to tackle than interstate conflicts. Due to the diverse nature of emerging conflicts in the world and participation of various agencies in Peace Support Operations, the task is becoming more and more challenging to bring peace, security and prosperity in such regions. Hence the need to organize seminars like this, with the aim of developing multilateral, multifunctional, operational-level peace operations skills is of immense value. It has come to my knowledge that the discussions during the seminar game were very lively and highly beneficial. The solutions presented by the seminar groups were excellent. So I am rather confident that you all are extremely benefited by this seminar game. For your information, ladies and gentlemen, until now the Royal Nepalese Army has participated in 31 missions with the involvement of 38,340 personnel, with a loss of 38 lives and many disabilities due to injuries. The Nepal Police has so far contributed 1,054 Civil Police with the loss of four lives and injuries to four personnel. We send professional soldiers for the Peace Support Operations with at least three months of rigorous training in our Peacekeeping Training School. It is to our great satisfaction that the performance of our troops has been deeply appreciated wherever they have been deployed. We believe that this type of seminar will certainly assist in polishing our senior officers for taking the future challenges effectively and efficiently. I hope your short stay in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, was a nice one. I wish you all a safe and happy return back to your home. On behalf of Nepal, the Royal Nepalese Army and myself, I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to HE Mr. Walter Stadtler, Brigadier General Thomas Fleming, Col Peter Leentjes, Ms. Ariel Morvan, Mr. Mike Morrison, Mr. Michael O'Rielly, Mr. Neil Duncan and the rest of the members of the team. I would also like to express my sincere thanks to Brigadier General Mohan Chemjong, who acted as the Force Commander for this seminar game and all of the delegates from the various countries who traveled a long distance and helped to make this seminar game a success. I now declare this seminar closed. Thank you. |