US embassy cable - 02KATHMANDU1925

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NEPALI PM ASKS KING TO POSTPONE ELECTIONS

Identifier: 02KATHMANDU1925
Wikileaks: View 02KATHMANDU1925 at Wikileaks.org
Origin: Embassy Kathmandu
Created: 2002-10-03 10:53:00
Classification: CONFIDENTIAL
Tags: PGOV NP Government of Nepal
Redacted: This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 001925 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR SA/INS 
LONDON FOR POL - RIEDEL 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2012 
TAGS: PGOV, NP, Government of Nepal (GON) 
SUBJECT: NEPALI PM ASKS KING TO POSTPONE ELECTIONS 
 
REF: A. (A) KATHMANDU 1901 
 
     B. (B) KATHMANDU 1781 
 
Classified By: AMB MICHAEL E. MALINOWSKI.  REASON:  1.5 (B,D). 
 
1.  (C) Sources at the Palace have informed the Ambassador 
that on October 3 Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, citing 
the King's broadly worded authority under Clause 127 of the 
Constitution to remedy "difficulties" arising in the 
implementation of the Constitution, requested King Gyanendra 
to postpone mid-term elections scheduled for November 13. 
The Prime Minister was acting on the all-party 
recommendation, formulated September 30, that the security 
situation is too perilous to permit electons at this time 
(Ref A). The Palace said the King will consult with 
Constitutional experts and leaders of other political parties 
before responding to the request.  The same source indicated 
that the King will likely meet with the Ambassador October 4. 
 (Note:  The King met with former Opposition Leader Madhav 
Nepal and former Prime Minister G.P. Koirala October 2.  End 
note.)  A source at the Prime Minster's Office has told us 
that the PM requested the polling date be deferred until 
November 19, 2003. 
 
2. (C)  Comment:  There appears to be a substantial 
difference of expert opinion regarding the legality of 
postponing elections.  The King is thus well advised to seek 
the opinion of Constitutional experts before acting.  Members 
of other political parties--including the Communist Party of 
Nepal - United Marxist Leninist (UML)--have told us their 
party would participate in an interim government--even one 
headed by the Prime Minister.  The notable exception is 
long-time Deuba rival and former Prime Minister G.P. Koirala, 
who rescinded his party's endorsement of the all-party 
recommendation a mere one day after it was issued.  If all 
other political parties jump on the interim government 
bandwagon--and start divvying up the more desirable 
portfolios--G.P. may well find himself isolated. 
MALINOWSKI 

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