US embassy cable - 03KATHMANDU2476

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NEPAL: GOVERNMENT REACTION TO CAPTURE OF SADDAM HUSSEIN

Identifier: 03KATHMANDU2476
Wikileaks: View 03KATHMANDU2476 at Wikileaks.org
Origin: Embassy Kathmandu
Created: 2003-12-21 03:45:00
Classification: CONFIDENTIAL
Tags: PREL PGOV IZ NP U
Redacted: This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 002476 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR SA/INS 
LONDON FOR POL - GURNEY 
NSC FOR MILLARD 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2013 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, IZ, NP, U.S-Nepali Relations 
SUBJECT: NEPAL:  GOVERNMENT REACTION TO CAPTURE OF SADDAM 
HUSSEIN 
 
Classified By: Classified by DCM Robert K. Boggs.  Reason:  1.5 (b, d). 
 
1.  (SBU) The December 16-19 visit to Kathmandu of Assistant 
Secretary for South Asian Affairs Christina Rocca to Nepal 
 
SIPDIS 
provided an opportunity for a range of high-ranking 
government officials and others to convey their 
congratulations on the capture of Saddam Hussein.  Many 
welcomed the news as a promising omen of greater peace and 
stability in Iraq.  Media reaction is being conveyed septel. 
 
2.  (C)  In a December 18 discussion with A/S Rocca and the 
Ambassador, King Gyanendra expressed his congratulations on 
the capture.  Meeting A/S Rocca and the Ambassador on 
December 16, Ambassador-at-large Bekh Bahadur Thapa, who is 
Nepal's de facto Foreign Minister, congratulated the USG on 
the event, which he described as a "success" that the 
Government of Nepal (GON) hopes will bring peace.  Foreign 
Secretary Madhu Raman Acharya also characterized the capture 
 
SIPDIS 
as a "success," but acknowledged that the road to peace in 
Iraq remains difficult.  At a December 17 luncheon, Finance 
Minister Dr. Prakash Lohani, Information Minister Kamal 
Thapa, and Education and Commerce Minister Hari Bahadur 
Basnet, each conveyed his congratulations to the Assistant 
Secretary and the Ambassador on the former Iraqi dictator's 
 
SIPDIS 
apprehension.  Also on December 17, Chief of Army Staff Gen. 
Pyar Jung Thapa opened his meeting with A/S Rocca and the 
Ambassador by hailing the successful capture. 
 
3.  (SBU)  The positive reaction has not been limited to GON 
officials.  In a private conversation with A/S Rocca and the 
Ambassador on December 18, former Prime Minister and head of 
the Nepali Congress (Democratic) Sher Bahadur Deuba asked the 
A/S to convey his congratulations on Saddam's apprehension to 
USG officials in Washington. 
MALINOWSKI 

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