US embassy cable - 04KATHMANDU682

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 000682 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR SA/INS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PHUM, KWMN, NP, U.S-Nepali Relations 
SUBJECT: NEPAL:  CODEL DREIER MEETS FOREIGN MINISTER THAPA 
 
REF: A. KATHMANDU 397 
 
     B. KATHMANDU 516 
 
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SUMMARY 
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1.  (SBU)  In a meeting with Foreign Minister Dr. Bekh 
Bahadur Thapa on April 9, Codel Dreier discussed the ongoing 
Maoist insurgency, the need for political reconciliation 
between the Palace and the political parties, human rights 
and efforts to improve the socio-economic status of women. 
Thapa noted his government's appreciation for USG 
counterinsurgency assistance and emphasized that the 
Government of Nepal is keeping its "ears open" to possible 
prospects for resumed negotiations with the Maoists. 
Chairman Dreier expressed hope that Palace and the political 
parties will resolve their differences soon so that elections 
could proceed.  End summary. 
 
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"EARS OPEN" TO POSSIBILITIES FOR PEACE 
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2.  (SBU) On April 9 Chairman of the House Rules Committee 
David Dreier (R-CA), accompanied by Representative Karen 
McCarthy (D-MO) and Representative Grace Napolitano (D-CA), 
met with Foreign Minister Dr. Bekh Bahadur Thapa.  Chairman 
Dreier opened the meeting by asking Thapa to discuss human 
rights and the terrorist threat from Maoist insurgents 
confronting Nepal.  Noting the lead role the U.S. has played 
in bringing an end to Communist oppression all over the 
world, Chairman Dreier emphasized that the U.S. wants to help 
assure peace and stability in Nepal. 
 
3.  (SBU)  Thapa responded with warm thanks for the 
counterinsurgency assistance the U.S. has provided Nepal. 
Ambassador's Malinowski's contribution was key in this 
regard, Thapa stated, adding he wanted to put on the record 
that the Ambassador was "the right man in the right place at 
the right time."  Several months ago it appeared that the 
Government of Nepal (GON) was gaining the edge on the 
Maoists; however, large-scale attacks (Refs A and B) against 
district headquarters last month have complicated the 
picture.  The Maoists used previous ceasefires to "re-arm, 
re-equip, and refinance," he charged.  Despite the Maoists' 
insincerity in the past, "we can't abandon the road to peace 
and are keeping our ears open for signals" from the 
insurgents that they are prepared to re-enter negotiations. 
Nepal's friends should realize, however, that issues related 
to peace negotiations are "complicated," he cautioned. 
Third-party pressure on the GON to hold talks that ignore 
these complications might embolden the Maoists.  Most 
important, he stressed, the GON cannot agree to any formula 
describing the GON, a constitutional state with a 250-year 
history, as an equal party with Maoist terrorists. 
 
4.  (SBU)  Nepal's bilateral relationship with India is also 
"complicated," Thapa acknowledged.  Nepali Maoists have their 
roots in like-minded groups in India, and the unregulated, 
1700-km border facilitates weapons smuggling.  The Indian 
government has increased its security assistance to the GON. 
While the Indian government has arrested several high-ranking 
Nepali Maoists, it ignores other Maoist leaders known to be 
in India, he observed. 
 
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HUMAN RIGHTS 
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5.  (SBU)  GON security forces have committed some human 
rights violations, Thapa admitted.   The GON is looking 
carefully at excesses that have been committed and taking 
action when justified, he stressed.  Where gaps are 
identified, the GON is seeking training and assistance.  He 
criticized negative assessments of the GON by some human 
rights groups as "partial" and "premature," charging that 
some activists' sympathies align with the Maoists.  While 
acknowledging that the GON, as a legitimate state upholding 
the rule of law, must satisfy higher human rights standards 
than the Maoists, he cited the Maoists' use of such brutal 
tactics as human shields and the security forces' 
inexperience as mitigating factors. 
 
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PROSPECTS FOR RECONCILIATON 
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6.  (SBU)  Chairman Dreier noted that he had discussed the 
political impasse with several party leaders the previous 
evening and expressed hope that the stalemate between the 
parties and the Palace would be resolved soon.  He added that 
he hoped to be able to speak with King Gyanendra upon his 
return to the capital.  Chairman Dreier welcomed Thapa's 
previous statements on GON commitments to uphold the rule of 
law, which is of paramount importance in a democracy. 
Describing his recent visit to the EU in Brussels, Thapa said 
he told his interlocutors that the GON wants to proceed with 
elections, despite the security situation, reasoning that 
"bad elections are better than no elections."  That said, the 
GON must do all that it can to ensure that the elections are 
as free and fair as possible. 
7.  (SBU)  Chairman Dreier welcomed the GON's commitment to 
hold elections despite obvious difficulties.  Democracy is a 
work in progress, he said; as a system, it does not always 
seem to work perfectly.  Holding free and fair elections 
should be part of the GON's plan to deal with the Maoists. 
The U.S. wants to help the GON proceed with such an agenda, 
he concluded. 
 
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STATUS OF WOMEN 
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8.  (SBU)  Representative McCarthy inquired how the GON is 
addressing the issue of trafficking in persons.  Trafficking 
is a widespread problem and has been aggravated by the 
insurgency, Thapa answered.  The GON, assisted by donors, is 
responding by trying to increase education and employment 
opportunities for females.  Representative Napolitano asked 
about micro-finance opportunities, especially for women. 
Gender awareness is an important part of GON policy, Thapa 
replied, adding that the government has established a Women's 
Commission to review the status of women. 
 
9.  (U)  Codel Dreier has cleared this message. 
MALINOWSKI