From Snehesh Alex Philip Male, Feb 13 (PTI) The United Nations today said it is "important" that the circumstances leading to last week's "traumatic" events should be probed as part of a national reconciliation process, but made it clear that it should be a Maldivian-led process. Stressing on the need for a probe, UN assistant secretary-general for political affairs Oscar Fernandez- Taranco said: "The constitution has provisions as to how this should happen. As we have seen, the President has announced his intention to open an investigation". Fernandez-Taranco said the UN did not come to Maldives to undertake an investigation as this would require mandate either from the General Assembly, the Security Council or the Human Rights Council. "For us it is extremely important that this (probe) be a Maldivian process," he told reporters at the UN office here adding that there cannot be an external solution. "We believe that it is important that events and circumstances leading to the event should be investigated, it should be an important part of a national reconciliation process. "It is extremely important that uncertainties that have surrounded these events shall be clarified," he said. Asked if the UN was in favour of early polls as demanded by ousted President Mohamed Nasheed, he said: "The election is something that the Maldivian must decide. The UN has no opinion as to matter when it should be held". He also stressed on the need for an inclusive political dialogue to deal with the situation. He spoke against the alleged human rights violation by the Maldivian police and called for restraint from all sides. MORE
