US embassy cable - 05KATHMANDU2377

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 002377 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR SA/INS 
NSC FOR RICHELSOPH 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/30/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, PINS, NP, U.S-Nepali Relations 
SUBJECT: VICE CHAIRMAN GIRI REPORTEDLY CRITICIZES PRESIDENT 
BUSH 
 
Classified By: AMBASSADOR JAMES F. MORIARTY, REASONS 1.5 (B/D) 
 
1.  (U)  Major English-language daily, the Himalayan Times, 
on October 31 reported that Vice Chairman Giri, addressing a 
"rally for peace" in Rautahat (Terai) said, "I am very 
surprised why no one can touch the U.S. president while he is 
the biggest human rights violator.  This government will 
never kneel before the U.S. president who is threatening to 
give the tag of "Item Nine" to small countries like Nepal." 
Nepal's other major daily, the Kathmandu Post, reported 
Giri's speech without reference to any comments about the 
U.S. president. 
 
2.  (C)  The DCM spoke with the acting foreign secretary on 
October 31 to request clarification of the reported remarks 
about President Bush.  She noted that, if correct, the 
comments were inconsistent with the standards of relations 
between two friendly countries.  The acting foreign secretary 
undertook to look into the matter, but noted that given the 
foreign minister's return the same day and the impending 
5-day Tihar holiday, he might not be able to provide a timely 
response.  He attempted to downplay the issue, stressing that 
"the press is all over the place." 
 
3.  (C) Comment:  Giri is known to be a loose cannon.  We are 
unlikely to get a definitive Foreign Ministry response given 
Giri's clout but we have laid down a marker about 
inadmissible rhetoric. 
MORIARTY