US embassy cable - 02KATHMANDU1605

UNCLAS KATHMANDU 001605 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR SA/INS AND SA/PD 
LONDON FOR POL - RIEDEL 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: MCAP, MOPS, PTER, SCUL, NP 
SUBJECT: NEPAL ARMY HOLDS MAIDEN PRESS CONFERENCE 
 
1.  (U)  In an apparent effort to burnish its public image 
and promote public confidence that it is gaining ground 
against Maoist insurgents, the Royal Nepal Army (RNA) held 
its first-ever press conference in Kathmandu August 15. 
Speaking to reporters, Col. Deepak Gurung, head of the RNA's 
Public Affairs office, said RNA successes had crippled the 
Maoists' command-and-control network, seriously impaired 
their mobility in the field, undermined their logistics, 
demoralized their cadre, and induced surrenders in 
ever-increasing numbers.  Gurung reported RNA statistics of 
2,290 insurgents confirmed killed in action; 300 insurgents 
wounded; 163 RNA killed in action; 235 soldiers wounded; 536 
policemen killed; 667 civilians killed; and a recovery rate 
of weapons looted of an unimipressive 13 percent.  The RNA 
estimates current Maoist strength at 3000-4000 hard-core 
cadre, complemented by 10,000-15,000 militia members.  The 
RNA, on the other hand, has bolstered its 50,000-man troop 
strength by an additional 5000 new recruits, with another 
5000 expected during the new fiscal year.  To provide 
additional security for sensitive infrastructure and for the 
November 13 national elections, Gurung announced RNA plans to 
hire 10,000 retired soldiers on contract.  Anticipated 
military assistance from foreign donors--Gurung specifically 
cited the U.S., U.K., India, and China--will augment RNA 
capabilities. 
 
2.  (U) The press conference follows closely on yet another 
RNA first--an Army-hosted tour of conflict areas in Rukum and 
Rolpa for 20 Nepali journalists on July 19.  (Note:  The RNA 
took seven members of the foreign press corps and one 
representative of the national news service on a tour of 
sites in Rolpa and Western Division Headquarters in Nepalganj 
May 10-11.  End note.)  Although the journalists had no 
opportunity to interview local villagers independently and 
were accompanied by RNA hosts throughout their visit, many 
said they found the event useful and informative.  Press 
coverage of the tour was largely favorable. 
 
3.  (SBU)  Comment:  The press conference is remarkable not 
so much for its content--most of what Gurung briefed had 
appeared in the press before--but for the fact that it 
occurred at all.  The Embassy and DATT have been encouraging 
the RNA to be more forthcoming with the press, noting the 
media's potential as a powerful ally in publicizing Maoist 
excesses and violence, but encountered considerable 
institutional resistance from the Army's traditionally 
close-mouthed hierarchy.  Col. Gurung told emboff he had 
considered holding a press conference much earlier, but had 
found his plans repeatedly frustrated by bureaucratic 
inertia.  The Colonel credited his July 1-19 visit to the 
U.S. on an International Visitor Program for government 
spokesmen with inspiring him to carry through with his 
original plans.  Specifically, he cited visits to the Public 
Affairs bureaus at the Department of State and Pentagon, 
including attendance at a press briefing given by A/S 
Boucher, as events that "gave me the confidence that I could 
do this."  Given the prominent coverage Gurung's briefing 
garnered in most major newspapers, we hope the RNA will 
follow up this first effort with similar, regularly scheduled 
events in the future. 
MALINOWSKI