Monthly Archives: September 2011

American Diplomatic Cable: A Silent Indian in a Multinational Meeting on Nepal

Posted on September 9, 2011 by | 1 Comment

2007-02-09 12:45

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 KATHMANDU 000341

SIPDIS
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/09/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOY PTER UN NP
SUBJECT: U.S., UK, INDIA, AND UN DISCUSS CHALLENGES CONFRONTING THE POLICE

REF: KATHMANDU 03268

Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).

SUMMARY
——-

¶1. (C) In a February 6 meeting with the Ambassador, UK
Ambassador Hall, UN Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) head Ian Martin,
and an Indian Embassy representative, a visiting UK security
assessment team described the key challenges facing the
police as: 1) the absence of public debate on public security
and police reform; 2) lack of leadership within the Police
and Home Ministry to catalyze needed reform efforts; 3)
abysmally low morale among the police force; 4) misguided
planning for security ahead of planned June 2007 elections;
and 5) lack of police preparedness to address key security
challenges. The UK team recommended the gathered Missions
press for a scenario-based discussion to encourage Home
Ministry and Police leadership to plan ahead for election
security and issue necessary directives. The UK team also
highlighted the need to balance short-term election security
efforts with longer-term reform, and discussed how to
influence the development of the forthcoming Police Act,
promote a national-level committee on public safety/security
to encourage public debate and explore expansion of community
policing. Continue reading →

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American Diplomatic Cable: Indians, Allergic to Police Advisor Reference, Wanted to Change UN Resolution on Mission In Nepal

Posted on September 9, 2011 by | 1 Comment

2007-01-18 12:27

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 000104

SIPDIS
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/INS, IO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/18/2017

TAGS: PREL PGOV NP UN

SUBJECT: NEPAL: INDIANS WANT POLICE ADVISORS,
EXPLOSIVES OUT OF DRAFT UN SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION

Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).

Summary
——-

¶1. (C) Indian Ambassador Mukherjee requested a meeting with
the Ambassador January 18 to relay New Delhi’s concern with
references in the draft UN Security Resolution (UNSCR) on
Nepal to police advisors as well as the U.S.-proposed clause
on explosive devices. Ambassador Mukherjee said that, while
India would not block the presence of UN police advisors, it
did not want the advisors explicitly mentioned in the
resolution, citing the potential for mission creep and UN
“intrusiveness” in a Nepal-led election process. Mukherjee
also said India preferred that language on mines, improvised
explosive devices (IEDs), and unexploded ordinance be
omitted. These arms management details were already included
in the prior November 28 Agreement on the Management of Arms
and Armies, he said. Ambassador Mukherjee reiterated India’s
goal of a focused and limited UN Mission in Nepal with
ownership of the peace process firmly in the hands of the
Nepali Government. Both Ambassadors agreed that speedy
finalization of a resolution was critical for success of arms
management, and that small details in the draft UNSCR’s
language should not get in the way of its rapid adoption. Continue reading →

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American Diplomatic Cable: US Criticizes India for Unfairly Treating Nepal

Posted on September 9, 2011 by | 1 Comment

…we remain deeply concerned over India’s apparent unwillingness to collaborate fully in regional efforts which stand to bring much-needed, long-term benefit to poverty-stricken Nepal.

2003-03-04 04:50 
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 000382 

SIPDIS 

STATE FOR SA DAS DON CAMP, SA/INS, AND SA/RA
STATE PLEASE PASS AID/ANE - D MCCLUSKEY, C LOWRY, G
WEYNAND, J WILSON
LONDON FOR POL/RIEDEL
NSC FOR E MILLARD 

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2008
TAGS: EAID ECIN ENRG PREL
SUBJECT: INDO-NEPAL CROSS-BORDER ENERGY TRADE STAGNATES 

REF: KATHMANDU 314 

Classified By: DCM Robert K. Boggs, for reasons 1.5(b) and (d). 

ś1.  (C) SUMMARY: Nepal's Minister for Water Resources Dipak
Gyawali is sharply critical of India's policies on
cross-border energy trade.  He told us that he believes New
Delhi focuses on the strategic aspects of water and energy to
the exclusion of economics.  Despite Nepal's current power
surplus, Gyawali understands that Nepal will need to develop
storage capacity in the future, in addition to slated
run-of-the-river projects, in order to compensate for the
high seasonal variability of water flows.  He believes that
joint venture models have the greatest potential for tapping
Nepal's huge hydroelectric potential.  In our view, India's
resistance to joining South Asian regional initiatives is
holding back the economic development of both countries and
will impede national as well as donor-funded efforts to
alleviate South Asia's poverty.  Please see action request
for Department and Embassy New Delhi in final paragraph.  End
Summary.

Continue reading →

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American Diplomatic Cable: American to Meet Maoist Baburam?

Posted on September 9, 2011 by | 1 Comment

Yeah, that was back in 2003 when, we belive, Baburam hadn’t even dreamed of being the Prime Minister that he is today :) 

2003-04-16 09:59
C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 000691 

SIPDIS 

DEPARTMENT FOR SA/INS AND DS/IP/SA
LONDON FOR POL - GURNEY 

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/15/2013
TAGS: PTER PREL NP
SUBJECT: NEPAL:  MAOISTS TO MEET EMBOFFS 

REF: A. (A) KATHMANDU 0677 

     śB. (B) STATE 90666
     śC. (C) STATE 74113
     śD. (D) KATHMANDU 0621 

Classified By: AMB. MICHAEL E. MALINOWSKI.  REASON:  1.5 (B,D). 

ś1.  (C)  Following Ref C guidance, on April 16 poloff
contacted known Maoist sympathizer Padma Ratna Tuladhar to
convey Embassy agreement to meet at the First Secretary level
with Maoist representatives.  Poloff advised Tuladhar that
the RSO will also participate in the meeting, which has been
tentatively scheduled for the afternoon of Friday, April 25,
at the Embassy.

Continue reading →

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American Diplomatic Cable: A Turgid Maoist Letter to Americans That Baburam Bhattarai May Have Written

Posted on September 7, 2011 by | 1 Comment

2002-05-07 13:14

UNCLAS KATHMANDU 000893

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SA/INS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PGOV OVIP PREL NP
SUBJECT: MAOISTS SEND LETTER TO AMERICANS ON PM’S VISIT

¶1. Local media outlets received by e-mail the afternoon
of May 7 a letter from the International Department of
the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) addressed “To Our
Friends in America.” A copy of the letter has been
faxed to SA/INS. Continue reading →

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American Diplomatic Cable: Nepal Army Took US Diplomats to Rolpa in 2002 to Show How it Was Fighting the Maoists

Posted on September 7, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Details of that visit from the Americans

2002-04-22 11:22

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 KATHMANDU 000787

SIPDIS

LONDON FOR POL/RIEDEL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/21/2012
TAGS: PGOV PTER PREL PHUM ASEC NP
SUBJECT: INTO THE MAOIST HEARTLAND – COUNTERINSURGENCY BY
THE BOOK IN ROLPA DISTRICT

REF: KATHMANDU 377

Classified By: Amb. M.E. Malinowski, Reasons 1.5 (b), (d).

¶1. (S) Summary. Emboffs joined Royal Nepalese Army (RNA)
Western Division Commander on an inspection tour of newly
established garrisons in Rolpa district, considered the
Maoist heartland. The tour coincided with the deployment of
the PACOM assessment team to the Rolpa battalion
headquarters. Two RNA task forces have completed sweeps
through eastern and northern Rolpa, leaving joint Army, Armed
Police and civil police garrisons to restore security in the
major towns. This bold incursion, to be followed by similar
sweeps through adjacent Maoist districts represents the right
strategy, but operational and logistical challenges abound.
RNA operations suffer from a lack of good boots as well as a
shortage of manpower. Additional arms and ammunition would
not be effective without good boots, the RNA commander for
western Nepal insisted. Emboffs interviewed two captured
Maoist leaders who described the insurgents’ tactics. After
recent attacks in Dang, RNA efforts to respond were hindered
when the Maoists felled trees across the highways and set
fires to reduce visibility for helicopters. Although the
monsoon will have a negative effect on the RNA’s mobility,
the Maoists will face the same obstacles. Morale was high in
the garrisons, and the response from the citizenry positive. Continue reading →

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American Diplomatic Cable: How Indian Pressure on Girija Prasad Koirala Saved the Sher Bahadur Deuba Government in 2002

Posted on September 7, 2011 by | Leave a comment

2002-04-18 10:39

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 000768

Classified By: AMB. MICHAEL E. MALINOWSKI. REASON: 1.5 (B,D).

———-
SUMMARY
———–

¶1. (C) Ongoing attempts by former Prime Minister and Nepali
Congress Party President Girija Prasad Koirala to topple the
current Prime Minister, Sher Bahadur Deuba, appear to be on
hold for the time being. According to the Indian Ambassador,
PM Vajpayee, Minister for External Affairs Singh, Home
Minister Advani, Defense Minister Fernandes and the BJP
President had each discouraged Koirala during his current
visit from pursuing a no-confidence motion. In an April 17
meeting with Nepali Congress Party General Secretary (and
Koirala cousin) Sushil Koirala, the Ambassador stressed the
importance of a united political front to face down the
threat from the Maoist insurgency. Sushil Koirala seemed to
take the message on board–albeit somewhat grudgingly–and
did not raise the subject of a change in government.
Although G.P. Koirala may be dissuaded for now, he can be
counted on to resume his machinations against Deuba the next
opportunity he sees. Continue reading →

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American Diplomatic Cable: Ambassador Moriarty Advocates for Increased American Assistance to Give Peace a Chance in Nepal

Posted on September 6, 2011 by | 1 Comment

2006-05-19 11:35

Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty, Reasons, 1.4 (b/d).

Summary and Introduction
————————

¶1. (C) I believe we have a four-six month window to use our
assistance to consolidate recent gains in democracy in Nepal.
While some argue that development and governance should take
a back seat to peace, I disagree. We need to help the
government show it is making a difference in people’s lives
by delivering services so that its success is not solely
measured on its ability to bring peace. Peace will depend
largely on Maoist intentions, and no one wants the Maoists to
have a veto over the new government’s success. We have a
limited window of opportunity and believe we should take a
two-pronged approach: build the capacity of important
government institutions, including the Peace Secretariat, the
Election Commission, Parliament and the National Human Rights
Commission, and deliver services on the ground, including by
focusing on rural infrastructure and providing employment.
We have e-mailed details on the suggestions discussed below.
This assistance, at a cost of twenty million USD plus, could
make a major difference in helping build a democratic,
well-governed state in Nepal. A significant increase in USG
assistance would also signal strong support to the new
government during this fragile transitional stage. Continue reading →

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American Diplomatic Cable: Girija Prasad Koirala and Prachanda Meet in Singapore

Posted on September 6, 2011 by | 1 Comment

Prachanda did not trust his son Prakash

2009-12-01 12:07

S E C R E T KATHMANDU 001094

SIPDIS
NOFORN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR IN NP SN CH
SUBJECT: NEPAL: PRACHANDA MEETS KOIRALA, INDIANS, CHINESE
IN SINGAPORE

REF: KATHMANDU 1090

Classified By: Charge d’Affaires, a.i., Randy W. Berry. Reasons 1.4 (b/
d).

¶1. (S/NF) During his November 16-18 trip to Singapore, Maoist
Chairman Pusha Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” met Nepali Congress
leader G.P. Koirala, Indian diplomats, and Chinese officials.
Maoist head of international affairs Krishna Bahadur Mahara
and Nepali businessman Dinesh Manandhar accompanied
Prachanda. Manandhar (strictly protect) told Emboff November
30 that the Singapore-based telecommunications company Smart
Telecom paid for airfare (business class), vehicle rental
(BMW), and hotels (Four Seasons) for the Maoist delegation.
Manandhar — who is personally close to Mahara but says he is
not a member of the Maoist party — is the local Nepali
partner of Smart Telecom, and handled logistics for the
delegation. He did not participate in the meetings. Continue reading →

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American Diplomatic Cable: Fear of Royal Coup when Nepal Was About to Limit King’s Power in 2006

Posted on September 6, 2011 by | Leave a comment

2006-05-18 11:49

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 001267

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/18/2016
TAGS: PGOV PTER MASS NP
SUBJECT: POWER PLAY TO WATER DOWN PROCLAMATION FAILS

REF: A. KATHMANDU 1262

¶B. NEW DELHI 3433

Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty, Reasons, 1.4 (b/d).

Summary
——-

¶1. (C) Just a few hours before the Prime Minister’s planned
May 18 3:00 pm proclamation to limit the King’s power and
place the army under civilian control, rumors swirled around
Kathmandu that the Army and the King were planning a
preemptive coup. The leaders of two of Nepal’s biggest
parties, Nepali Congress-Democratic (NC-D) and CPN-UML, told
us Indian Defense Minister Mukherjee had separately called
them May 17 to ask Parliament to go slowly in changing the
King’s role vis-a-vis the Army. Chief of Army Staff General
Thapa told the Ambassador that on the morning of May 18 he
had met with the Prime Minister and urged caution, saying he
was unsure of his troops’ reaction if the government appeared
to be acting vindictively toward the King. The Prime
Minister had rejected General Thapa’s request to postpone the
proclamation. At the end of the day, the PM withstood the
pressure and power play and issued the proclamation as
drafted – putting the King in a box and the army under the
new civilian government’s control (septel). End Summary. Continue reading →

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