US embassy cable - 04KATHMANDU456

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 KATHMANDU 000456 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR SA/INS AND DS/IP/NEA 
STATE ALSO PLEASE PASS USAID/DCHA/OFDA 
STATE ALSO PLEASE PASS PEACE CORPS HQ 
USAID FOR ANE/AA GORDON WEST AND JIM BEVER 
MANILA FOR USAID/DCHA/OFDA 
LONDON FOR POL/GURNEY 
TREASURY FOR GENERAL COUNSEL/DAUFHAUSER AND DAS JZARATE 
TREASURY ALSO FOR OFAC/RNEWCOMB AND TASK FORCE ON TERRORIST 
FINANCING 
JUSTICE FOR OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL/DLAUFMAN 
NSC FOR MILLARD 
SECDEF FOR OSD/ISA LILIENFELD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PINS, PTER, CASC, PGOV, NP, PHUM, Maoist Insurgency 
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON NEPAL'S MAOIST INSURGENCY, MARCH 5-12, 
2004 
 
REFERENCE:  (A) KATHMANDU 0397 
            (B) KATHMANDU 0437 
            (C) KATHMANDU 0424 
 
 
SUMMARY 
------- 
 
1. Maoists reportedly attempted again to attack the 
headquarters of the eastern district of Bhojpur, the scene 
of last week's deadly assault by the rebels (Ref A).  A 
joint security team launched military offensives in the far- 
west.  Ten security personnel were killed and thirty-nine 
injured in separate attacks by Maoists.  Two civilians also 
were killed.  Security forces reportedly killed twelve 
rebels.  Maoists released eight security personnel who had 
been abducted during last week's engagement in Bhojpur.  The 
Home Minister lashed out at the media for boosting the 
morale of the Maoists by "exaggerating" Maoist activities. 
Humanitarian agencies continue to suffer fallout from the 
insurgency.  Maoists reportedly have set up military 
training camps and intensified recruitment campaigns in 
schools.  Journalists allege censorship and threats from 
both the Government of Nepal (GON) and the Maoists.  Three 
civilians were killed by Maoists.  The Kathmandu Valley 
endured yet another Bandh (general closure) on March 8, 
which was preceded by several bombs.  The total number of 
surrendered Maoists is now 670 since the announcement of 
GON's amnesty program.  End Summary. 
 
MAOISTS STRIKE BHOJPUR AGAIN 
---------------------------- 
 
2.  On March 8, Maoists reportedly attempted again to attack 
the headquarters of the eastern district of Bhojpur, the 
scene of last week's deadly ambush by the rebels (Ref A). 
According to press reports, the insurgents fired on the 
District Police Office, but retreated after security forces 
returned fire.  That clash lasted thirty minutes.  The 
region is still reeling in the aftermath of the March 2 
bloody battle.  Damage to infrastructure has been estimated 
at almost USD 500,000, and residents no longer have 
electricity or phone service.  The district is also facing a 
water shortage. 
 
OFFENSIVE IN THE WEST 
--------------------- 
 
3.  On March 8, the local press reported that a joint 
security team launched military offensives in Maoist- 
controlled areas of the far-western district of Achham. 
Officials from the Royal Nepal Army (RNA) Mid-West Division 
Headquarters said the combined teams were focusing on 
thirteen Village Development Committees (VDC) that had 
fallen under Maoist control.  Offices, warehouses and 
community centers used by the rebels reportedly were 
destroyed by the security forces during their offensive. 
 
4.  Twelve Maoists reportedly were killed this week during 
other security operations: two in the western district of 
Parbat on March 11; two female insurgents in the northern 
district of Gorkha and one female Maoist in Chitwan District 
on March 10; one in Chitwan on March 10; two in the eastern 
districts of Sarlahi and Sindhupalchowk on March 9; and four 
in the eastern districts of Dhankuta and Panchthar on March 
7. 
 
5.  Ten security personnel also were killed and thirty-nine 
injured this week: three Royal Nepal Army (RNA) soldiers 
were injured in the central district of Nawalparasi on March 
11; one soldier was killed and six injured by a landmine in 
the northern district of Taplejung on March 9; Maoist 
ambushes in Banke District and Kaski District killed nine 
and injured twenty-seven on March 10; four security 
personnel were injured and two civilians killed when Maoists 
ambushed a hearse in Banke District on March 5.  Ironically, 
the hearse was carrying the body of one of the soldiers 
killed in the Maoist ambush in Bhojpur. 
 
WEST UNDER MAOIST BLOCKADE 
-------------------------- 
 
6.  On March 8, several ethnic Maoist-affiliated 
organizations initiated a blockade in thirteen districts 
throughout the west and mid-west region of Nepal (Ref B). 
Curfews and economic embargos have been imposed and the 
villagers are restricted from traveling to district 
headquarters.  The rebels reportedly also have blocked 
highways, including both highways from Kathmandu to India, 
with toppled electric poles and trees, preventing the flow 
of commercial and passenger vehicles.  Initial press reports 
have said that the rebels are running their own checkpoints, 
set fire to a passenger bus, and torched a drinking water 
and sanitation office on the first day of the blockades. 
The reasons for the blockades, which are expected to 
continue for fifteen days, are unclear, but some senior 
officials believe they are intended to prevent the 
population in that region from traveling to meet the King 
during his scheduled visit to Pokhara later this month. 
 
MAOISTS RELEASE SECURITY PERSONNEL 
----------------------------------- 
 
7.  On March 10, Maoists reportedly released eight security 
personnel who had been abducted following the rebels' massed 
attack at the district headquarters in Bhojpur on March 2 
(Ref A).  Two others reportedly were released the previous 
day.  According to a March 9 press report, the bodies of two 
security personnel believed also to have been abducted were 
discovered: a police constable and security guard.  On March 
5, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had issued an 
appeal for the release of the security personnel. 
 
8.  A standing committee member of the Raj Parishad (Royal 
Council) abducted by Maoists last week in Rautahat District 
has been released after he agreed to resign from his post. 
Prior to his abduction, the rebels had bombed his house and 
demanded his resignation.  The NHRC condemned the abduction 
as "inhuman conduct." 
 
HOME MINISTER LASHES OUT AT MEDIA 
---------------------------------- 
 
9.  During a press conference on March 10, Home Minister 
Kamal Thapa, who is also the Information and Communications 
Minister, complained that the media are boosting the morale 
of the Maoists by "exaggerating" their activities, and urged 
the media to verify facts before reporting "Maoist 
propaganda."  Minister Thapa cautioned people against 
listening to rumors, and said security forces are prepared 
to protect them. 
 
MAOISTS DISRUPTING HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS 
--------------------------------------- 
 
10.  On March 8, Maoists torched two vehicles carrying 
medicine and supplies to a health camp in the western 
district of Dailekh.  According to the occupants of the 
vehicles, the rebels forced them out of the cars before 
torching them.  Maoists reportedly also opened fire on an 
ambulance in the Maoist stronghold of Dang District, also in 
the west.  The nationwide closure on March 8 stranded 
hundreds of patients who had traveled to the central 
district of Baglung for a free health camp after doctors 
failed to arrive citing security concerns. 
 
11.  Maoists in Dang District reportedly also issued a press 
statement on March 11 that all NGO and INGO activities will 
be required to meet nine criteria, and would not be allowed 
to do anything without prior permission of the Maoists.  The 
rebels warned that any organization failing to comply would 
be forced to leave the area. 
 
12.  Humanitarian assistance in the eastern districts of 
Dolakha, Sindhupalchowk, Kavre, and Ramechhap also has been 
affected by Maoist violence.  Threats and pressure from the 
rebels have caused many human rights activists, social 
workers and teachers to flee to district headquarters unable 
to assist those most in need.  Extortion demands by the 
Maoists are also threatening to disrupt services provided by 
UN agencies.  On March 12, the UN agencies released a 
statement reiterating its policy of not complying with 
extortion demands, and warned that continued attempts to 
extract money could put the future of development programs 
at risk.  The statement was published in both vernacular and 
English language newspapers. 
 
MAOIST CENTERS IN SCHOOLS 
------------------------- 
 
13.  A newspaper article published on March 9 reports that 
Maoists in the western districts of Rolpa, Rukum, Pyuthan, 
and Jajarkot have set up military training camps in public 
schools.  The insurgents claim they have already trained 
1500 students with many more undergoing training.  An 
executive of the education office was quoted in the article 
as being aware of the "militia training in the school 
compounds," but would try to continue educating the 
children.  Many of the students have stopped attending 
classes, however, out of fear of Maoist recruitment 
(septel). 
 
14.  Maoists reportedly have also intensified their campaign 
to recruit youths in the villages of Baglung District in the 
west.  According to reports, the rebels are forcibly 
recruiting students to join their militia, and have imposed 
evening curfews in 12 of the Village Development Committees 
(VDC) throughout the district.  Maoists reportedly control 
most of the VDCs in the district.  Baglung District is one 
of the districts in the west currently under the Maoist 
blockade program. 
 
JOURNALISTS FACE CENSORSHIP 
--------------------------- 
 
15.  On March 11, the Committee To Protect Journalists 
(CPJ), based in New York, issued a report stating that since 
the collapse of the ceasefire in August both the Government 
of Nepal (GON) and the Maoists are interfering with freedom 
of the press.  The report cites the murders of, and threats 
against, journalists by Maoists and the alleged illegal 
detention of journalists by the GON as causing "fear and 
self-censorship." 
 
16.  Maoists reportedly also have restricted journalists 
from entering the mid-western district of Rukum.  The 
insurgents told the journalists they needed permission 
before being allowed entry into the area. The Federation of 
Nepalese Journalists have also pulled out of the eastern 
district of Sindhupalchwok after threats by Maoists. 
 
MAOIST VIOLENCE NOT SLOWING 
--------------------------- 
 
17.  Civilians continue to get caught in the violence of the 
Maoist insurgency.  On March 6, Maoists killed a teacher in 
the eastern district of Bara and then cut his ears off.  On 
that same day, an employee of the district court in 
Dadeldhura died after the rebels detonated a bomb inside the 
court.  On March 9, again in Bara District, Maoists gunned 
down a civilian.  Surprisingly, several villagers retaliated 
and killed one of the Maoists. 
 
18.  A group of twenty Maoists made off with almost USD 
50,000 worth of jewelry, cash and clothes after robbing a 
store in Chitwan District.  Local business owners claim 
security forces are unable to offer protection, resulting in 
a dramatic increase in crime. 
 
ANOTHER MAOIST-CALLED "BANDH" 
----------------------------- 
 
19.  The Kathmandu Valley endured yet another strike (bandh) 
on March 8 called by the All Nepal Women's' Association 
Revolutionary, a sister organization of the Maoists (Ref C). 
In the days preceding the bandh, several bombs were exploded 
in the Kathmandu Valley, including Thamel, one of the main 
tourist hubs.  Two people suffered injuries in the March 5 
blast.  On March 7 suspected Maoists also exploded a bomb 
inside an empty bus at one of the valley's main bus parks 
and also at a government building.  Maoist supremo Prachanda 
has called for a nationwide closure on April 6-8. 
 
20.  On March 5, the United Nations (UN) issued a press 
statement that the frequent bandhs hinder services to the 
"most needy populations," and therefore its agencies would 
continue to use vehicles even during so-called bandh days. 
 
SURRENDERED MAOISTS FACE DIFFICULTIES 
------------------------------------- 
 
21.  Recently surrendered Maoists are complaining of 
monotony and unfulfilled promises at the Government of 
Nepal's (GON) rehabilitation center in the eastern district 
of Tanahun.  The former Maoists allege that no training has 
been offered, and that they are constantly guarded by 
security personnel making it seem "like a prison here."  On 
March 8, the Chief District Officer of Tanahun announced 
that a three-month training in house wiring and cutting had 
been organized in response to inmates' requests. 
 
22.  Eighteen Maoists from Sindhuli District, the largest 
number from that district, were among those who surrendered 
this week.  The total number surrendered is now 670 since 
the announcement of the Government of Nepal's (GON) amnesty 
program.  The amnesty program's deadline has been extended 
to April 12. 
MALINOWSKI