US embassy cable - 04KATHMANDU487

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 000487 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR SA/INS 
STATE PLEASE PASS TO USAID 
LONDON FOR POL/GURNEY 
NSC FOR MILLARD 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/11/2014 
TAGS: MCAP, MOPS, PHUM, PREL, NP, U.S-Nepali Relations, Maoist Insurgency 
SUBJECT: NEPAL: AMBASSADOR'S VISIT TO REHABILITATION CENTER 
FOR SURRENDERED MAOISTS 
 
REF: A. A. 03 KATHMANDU 2475 
     B. B. 03 US DAO KATHMANDU IIR 6 867 002904 
     C. C. KATHMANDU 301 
     D. D. US DAO KATHMANDU IIR 6867 0045 04 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Michael E. Malinowski for Reasons 1.5 (B,D) 
 
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SUMMARY 
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1.  (C) On 2 March, Ambassador Malinowski and Defense Attache 
visited by helicopter the Government of Nepal's (GON) newly 
opened, pilot Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration 
(DDR) facility located in Tanahu District (approximately 125 
kms northwest of Kathmandu).  The GON announced the creation 
of this type of facility in December 2003 as part of its 
amnesty offer to the Maoists who surrender to GON security 
forces (Ref A).  The facility currently holds 47 former 
Maoists, but can accommodate approximately 500.  Emboffs 
spoke to interned Maoists, who claimed to be well treated, 
but passed a letter to the Ambassador that requested U.S. 
assistance in training and employment opportunities.  Despite 
visits by representatives from INGOs, like the International 
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), international donors have 
made no commitments for assistance.  The already-strained 
Royal Nepal Army (RNA) has been charged with providing 
security and care for the internees. USAID is exploring 
whether it can legally support the DDR program.  A 
USAID-Nepal team plans to visit the facility shortly to 
assess the facilities' needs. END SUMMARY. 
 
--------------------------------- 
Disarmament, Demobilization 
and Reintegration (DDR) Facility 
--------------------------------- 
 
2.  (C)  In December 2003, the Government of Nepal (GON) 
announced the establishment of a Disarmament, Demobilization 
and Reintegration (DDR) facility as part of its amnesty offer 
to Maoists who surrendered to the GON's security forces (Ref 
A).  On March 2, Ambassador Malinowski and Defense Attache 
visited GON's newly opened, pilot DDR facility located in 
Tanahu District (approximately 125 kms northwest of 
Kathmandu).  The facility had been operational for one month 
and presently holds 47 former Maoists (population includes 
both surrendered and captured), of which 15 are females.  Two 
of the female internees are pregnant and receive medical care 
for their condition. (Note: They are also permitted to live 
with their husbands in the camp.  End Note.) 
 
3.  (C) The facility is located off the main road in Tanahu 
District in a 100-room, concrete compound formerly used by a 
GON road construction crew, which can accommodate 
approximately 500 residents.  The facility, supposed to be 
administered by GON civil servants, has electricity and 
running water. There is a Royal Nepal Army (RNA) company 
co-located with the DDR facility, which is charged with 
providing security.  Unfortunately, the civil service 
administration is yet rather minimal, leaving the RNA to 
provide military rations, clothing, reading materials and 
monthly stipends to the internees.  In addition, the RNA 
makes arrangements for a meditation specialist and a Hindu 
priest to visit the residents on a regular basis.  RNA 
officials indicate that it costs the Army approximately NRs. 
7000 (equivalent to USD 95) a day to operate the DDR 
facility.  In addition to military rations, residents receive 
approximately three dollars every month for sundries, access 
to the telephone and a common room with a television.  The 
RNA has not been reimbursed for its unbudgeted expectations. 
 
4.  (C) Despite visits from INGOs, like the International 
Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC), to date there has been no 
international donor commitment in the form of financial 
support or vocational training.  On the other hand, the GON 
has not made a formal request for donor support and has not 
briefed other members of the donor community on its plans and 
needs.  A USAID team plans to visit the facility shortly to 
assess the needs of the DDR facility, perhaps in conjunction 
with representatives from UNDP. 
 
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Maoists Internees 
----------------- 
 
5.  (U)  During the visit, the residents of the DDR facility 
passed a letter to the Ambassador.  The English translation 
reads: 
 
BEGIN TEXT: 
 
--We have lots of problems, which we would like to pun (sic) 
in a point-wise manner. 
 
--We joined the so-called Peoples' War as we became the 
victims of Maoists' ultra-leftist provocation.  After seeing 
their activities against humanity, and surrendering ourselves 
to the Government, we have a continuous threat from the 
Maoists, and therefore, the Government should guarantee 
political, economic, social and physical protection to us. 
The Government has not taken any initiatives so far, except 
providing security.  Therefore, keeping in mind our problems 
we request you to arrange safe and reliable employment for us. 
 
--There is no supply of goods of daily necessities in the 
Rehabilitation Center. 
 
--For those who want to stay outside the Rehabilitation 
Center, we request you provide financial, physical and social 
security to go abroad. 
 
--We request your help to make our social and economic base 
strong since we are all poor and our economic conditions is 
so weak. 
 
Signed Rehabilitated People of the Rehabilitation Center. 
 
END TEXT. 
 
6. (C)  Out of 47 residents, the RNA considers twenty "former 
hard-core Maoists," who have since their captivity denounced 
the Maoist cause.  During an interview with the Ambassador 
and Defense Attache, one internee (late teens/early 20's), 
reportedly from the Maoist Military Wing, claimed that he 
fought against security forces during several battles.  He 
indicated during the interview that he surrendered because he 
no longer "wanted to kill or be forced to work."  One RNA 
official stated he fears that if some type of vocational or 
technical training program is not developed soon, the 
youthful residents of the facility will become restless and 
"cause problems." 
 
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COMMENT 
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8.  (C)  Although in its nascent stage, the Government's DDR 
program appears to be a sincere effort to assist former 
Maoists' rehabilitation and reintegration into mainstream 
society. At the same time, however, the program seems to lack 
a clear outline of the type of training program it needs or 
any preparation to establish long-term employment 
opportunities.  Although the Home Ministry is nominally 
responsible for rehabilitation centers, in reality a 
reluctant RNA has filled the civilian government void--taking 
on tasks normally that would and should be handled by its 
civilian counterparts. However well-intentioned the program, 
the GON has yet to do a broad outreach campaign targeting the 
donor community on its longer-term vision.  GON interlocutors 
have requested USG support for the program. 
 
9.  (C) Comment Continued.  USAID is consulting with its 
legal advisors about the possibility of providing assistance 
to the program. The Mission is exploring the possibility of 
collaboration with the United Nations on the DDR program.  In 
addition, if USAID is to support the training aspect of the 
DDR program, the GON must take steps to establish a more 
pro-active civilian component to the program.  A USAID-Nepal 
team plans to visit the facility shortly to access its needs. 
 END COMMENT. 
MALINOWSKI