US embassy cable - 04KATHMANDU1304

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 001304 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OPRC, PGOV, PREL, KMDR, NP 
SUBJECT: WEEKLY NEPAL MEDIA REPORT FROM JULY 7 TO 12, 
2004 
 
STATE FOR NP, AC, PM 
STATE FOR IN/R/MR 
STATE FOR SA/INS, PM/CBM, PM/PRO 
STATE FOR SA/PPD 
 
1.  POLITICAL AFFAIRS 
 
-- Govt. ready to talk to Maoists: Prime Minister Sher 
Bahadur Deuba has said that the government was ready to 
talk with the Maoists on any political agenda with 
maximum flexibility except on constitutional monarchy 
and multi-party democracy. (Media reports, 7/12) 
 
-- Mohsin's comment draws flak from NC (D), UML: 
Information and Communication Minister Dr. Mohammad 
Mohsin's expression that the government should not 
adopt "maximum flexibility" has drawn flak from 
partners in the government.  "What does maximum 
flexibility mean? To what extent will this flexibility 
work," Dr. Mohsin had said. (Major media reports, 7/11) 
 
-- Ministers move to "safe" quarters: Security 
officials, fearing security threats, have forced newly 
appointed ministers to move to official resident 
quarters. 13 of 17 new ministers and 3 state ministers 
have already moved in to the Pulchowk Ministers 
quarters. (The Kathmandu Post, 7/9) 
 
-- Govt. exercise for talks:  The government is doing 
its homework to begin talks with the Maoists. 
According to sources, human rights activist and 
mediator during earlier two rounds of talks Padma Ratna 
Tuladhar has gone outside the capital to hold talks 
with the Maoists.  Deputy Prime Minister Bharat Mohan 
Adhikari has already said that the government was ready 
to discuss everything, including constituent assembly, 
with the Maoists. (Vernacular weeklies, 7/8) 
 
2.  MAOIST INSURGENCY 
 
-- Maoists preparing for ceasefire: "Even though the 
Maoists are not happy with the new alliance of 
political parties in the government, they are positive 
about ceasefire and talks". According to sources, the 
Maoists are preparing for a ceasefire within a week. 
However, the rebel sources say that the talks will not 
be held immediately..." (Bimarsha, V/W, 7/9) 
 
-- Maoists link ceasefire to constituent assembly: The 
Maoists would be ready for a new ceasefire if the 
government meets their key demand of a constituent 
assembly to rewrite the constitution, a senior Maoist 
leader has said.  "We are ready to announce a ceasefire 
and hold dialogue with the present government only if 
it is ready for constituent assembly elections under 
the aegis of the United Nations,"Bam Dev Chhetri, a 
senior member of the Maoist Central Committee has said. 
(The Himalayan Times, 7/8) 
.  -- Maoist mindset: The central level leadership of the 
   CPN-Maoist is divided over the strategy the party 
   should take in the changed context.  While the 
   political leadership does not want to hold talks, the 
   military leadership wants to go for ceasefire and hold 
   talks.  They want ceasefire because the party had 
   benefited during the last two ceasefires in terms of 
   increasing the militia power, etc.  The Maoist 
   leadership is also scared that America would enter 
   Nepal when Deuba is in power.  The military leadership 
   believes that they should launch a massive attack 
   before any negotiations so as to strengthen their 
   bargaining power". (Yugpatra, V/W, 7/8) 
 
   -- Ward chairman, DSP shot dead in capital: Maoists 
   shot dead two people in Kathmandu Tuesday morning.  The 
   killed are Deputy Superintendent of Police Uttam 
   Bahadur Karki and nominated ward chairman Mahesh Man 
   Shrestha of ward-number 12. (Major reports, 7/7) 
 
   -- 11 securitymen, 19 rebels killed in clashes: Eleven 
   security personnel and an equal number of rebels were 
 
   killed in clashes at Gangate area of Kalimati Kalche 
   VDC in Salyan district Monday night. (Major reports, 
   7/7) 
 
   3.  OTHERS 
 
   -- Rain causes havoc: At least 46 people have died, one 
   thousand rendered homeless and several are reported 
   missing in fresh flash floods and landslides in several 
   districts across the country following the weeklong 
   incessant rains. (Major reports, 7/9-12) 
 
   -- Mukharjee new Indian envoy: Indian government has 
   appointed Shiva Shankar Mukharjee as the new ambassador 
   to Nepal. Mukharhjee is serving as the present Indian 
   High Commissioner for South Africa. (Media reports, 
   7/9) 
 
   -- AI appeals China to stop execution of Nepalese: 
   Amnesty International (AI) on Wednesday appealed the 
   Chinese authorities to hold back their decision of 
imminent death penalty to two Nepalese who were charged 
of drugs smuggling. (Media reports, 7/9) 
-- Leaders barred entry into palace: A host of 
dignitaries were denied attending the king's 58th 
birthday reception inside the Royal Palace for failing 
to follow the proper dress code.  CPN-UML General 
Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal and former speaker Daman 
 
SIPDIS 
Nath Dhungana were denied entry for not being attired 
in black coat while a minister had to return from the 
palace gate as he was not wearing a black cap. (The 
Kathmandu Post, 7/8) 
 
-- U.S. Ambassador in Kathmandu: U.S. Ambassador 
designate to Nepal James Francis Moriarty arrived in 
Kathmandu on Monday to assume his assignment, according 
to a statement from the American Center.  Moriarty most 
recently served as Special Assistant to the President 
and Senior Director for Asian Affairs at the National 
Security Council.  Ambassador Moriarty will commence 
his official business after presenting his credentials 
to the King. (Major dailies, 7/7) 
 
MORIARTY