US embassy cable - 04KATHMANDU437

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 000437 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPT FOR SA/INS, LONDON FOR POL/GURNEY, NSC FOR MILLARD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PTER, PGOV, CASC, EAID, NP, Maoist Insurgency 
SUBJECT: NEPAL: MAOIST BLOCKADE UNEVENLY IMPLEMENTED, MOST 
HEAVILY FELT IN THE TERAI 
 
1. (SBU) Summary.  On March 8, Maoist-affiliated 
organizations initiated a 15-day road blockade in western and 
mid-western Nepal.  The Maoists had declared the closure in 
13 Districts, although implementation appears to be haphazard 
and has extended to districts outside the declared zone.  On 
March 9, the main north-south highway linking Kathmandu with 
the southern lowlands (Terai) was blocked with felled trees 
and electric-wire poles, effectively stopping long-haul 
commercial and passenger vehicles from reaching their 
destinations.  The southern east-west highway connecting 
Chitwan with eastern Nepal was also closed for much of the 
day.  On March 10, police contacts indicated that the main 
highways were clear and traffic was moving.  Reasons behind 
the blockade remain unclear, although media reports suggest 
that the blockade is an attempt by the Maoists to disrupt the 
King's civic reception in Pokhara scheduled for March 28. 
Police contacts believe, however, that the closures are meant 
to conceal a mass movement of insurgents in the western 
region.  Whatever the reason, the blockade will deter many 
Nepalis and foreign tourists from traveling by road over the 
next two weeks.  End Summary. 
 
2. (SBU) On March 4, three Maoist-affiliated organizations 
announced a 15-day road blockade from March 8-23 in 13 
Districts of western and mid-western Nepal.  (Note.  In late 
2003, these three ethnic-based organizations -- the Taruwan 
National Liberation Front, the Magarat National Liberation 
Front, and the Madhesi National Liberation Front -- declared 
themselves to be regional autonomous zones covering nearly 20 
of Nepal's 75 Districts.  The organizations were created to 
appeal to the Gurung, Magar and Terai-based ethnic groups, 
respectively, that might feel disadvantaged and excluded from 
government participation and social services.  End Note.) 
The 13 affected Districts are: Chitwan, Nawalparasi, 
Rupandehi, Palpa, Syanja, Kaski, Tanahu, Parwat, Lamjung, 
Gorkha, Gulmi, Myagdi and Manang. 
 
3. (SBU) Contacts in Bharatpur, headquarters of Chitwan 
District, reported on March 9 that the main north-south 
artery between the central Terai and Kathmandu was completely 
closed.  All vehicles were forced to stop in Narayanghat, 
just a few kilometers north of Bharatpur, where large trees 
have been felled onto the road in numerous locations.  Press 
reports confirmed that the Maoists successfully shut down 
commerce along the north-south highway, including the second 
largest produce market in Nepal.  However, the Chief District 
Officers of four of the affected districts (Gorkha, Kaski, 
Rupandehi, and Palpa) said that life was normal, shops were 
open and vehicles were plying the roads. The main east-west 
highway reportedly was cleared by security forces early in 
the day on March 9.  On March 10, police contacts indicated 
that all main highways were clear and traffic was moving as 
normal.  However, police officials were concerned that the 
length of the blockade inevitably would result in some 
closures in the next two weeks since the affected area is too 
large for effective coverage by security personnel. 
 
4. (SBU) The road blockade appears to have been implemented 
haphazardly and has extended to districts outside the 
Maoist-declared area.  An American citizen reported on March 
10 that the north-south highway linking Kathmandu with the 
Tibetan border had been blocked by rocks and other debris. 
That same day, World Food Program staff confirmed that 
Maoists had closed roads in Salyan, Rolpa and Pyuthan 
Districts in  mid-western Nepal.  The impact of the blockade 
will be felt most by Nepal's agriculture and tourist 
industries that rely daily on an open transportation system. 
Many agricultural cooperatives already have deplored the 
Maoist blockade and requested that it be lifted immediately. 
 
5. (SBU) Comment. The reasons behind the 15-day blockade 
remain unclear.  Media reports suggest that the Maoists seek 
to disrupt King Gyanendra's civic reception in Pokhara, 
scheduled for March 28.  The King's recent travels to fifteen 
districts, including those considered to be the Maoist 
heartland, and his enthusiastic reception by crowds of common 
people were an embarrassment to the Maoists.  Police contacts 
believe, however, that the Maoists are using the closures to 
conceal a major movement of insurgents in the western region. 
 Whatever the reason, the blockade will intimidate many 
Nepalis and foreign tourists from traveling by road over the 
next two weeks.  Certainly, uncertainties over where and when 
the blockade will be implemented increase personal anxieties 
throughout the country.  The Embassy has alerted American 
citizens in Nepal of the road closures and suggested they 
defer unnecessary road travel until after March 25.  Post 
will continue to track the blockade and report on any 
significant events.  End Comment. 
MALINOWSKI