US embassy cable - 05KATHMANDU2418

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 002418 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR H, SA/INS AND SA/PPD 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/09/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PTER, OPRC, KMDR, KPAO, NP, Maoist Insurgency, Political Parties 
SUBJECT:  POLITICAL PARTIES GET MESSAGE ABOUT DANGER OF 
ALLIANCE WITH MAOISTS 
 
REF: A. KATHMANDU 2400 
     B. KATHMANDU 2390 
 
Classified By: DCM Elisabeth I. Millard, Reason 1.4 (b/d) 
 
Parties Get U.S. Message 
------------------------ 
 
1. (C) The parties have clearly received our message warning 
of the dangers of a Maoist-Parties Alliance and have 
reiterated that they would not seek an alliance with the 
Maoists unless they lay down their arms (ref A).  CPN-UML 
Acting General Secretary Bamdev Gautam, who had maintained 
the need for an alliance to overthrow "the autocratic 
monarchy," has done a 180 degree turn and recently issued a 
statement on behalf of CPN-UML that the party would not forge 
a pact with the Maoists unless they renounced violence. 
CPN-UML Central Committee member K.P. Oli, who is in New 
Delhi with General Secretary MK Nepal, told the Nepali press 
that any talks his party had with the Maoists would focus on 
bringing the Maoists into the political mainstream and on 
making sure that they gave up violence.  Bhim Rawal, CPN-UML 
Central Committee Member, told Emboff that the timing and 
reach of the Ambassador's November 4 statement (ref B) was 
excellent.  He explained that the Central Committee was now 
forced to thoroughly and openly discuss the issue of a 
possible understanding with the Maoists.  Rawal noted that 
the public reaction had surprised Gautam, weakening his power 
within the party, and opening the way for more moderate 
voices. 
 
2. (C) The Embassy estimates that ninety percent of the 
political party leaders quoted in the media have stressed 
that there would be no alliance unless the Maoists laid down 
their weapons and rejoined the political mainstream.  RJP 
Chairman, and former Prime Minister, Surya Bahadur Thapa 
wrote the Ambassador to convey his appreciation for the 
Embassy's November 4 statement.  He expressed confidence 
"that the statement will lead the concerned parties towards 
the right direction."  Dr. Narayan Khadka, NC(D) Central 
Committee Member, also welcomed the Ambassador's statement. 
Khadka told the Ambassador that the statement had generated 
intense discussion within his party.  He added that, while 
some of the more radical elements of the Parties viewed the 
Ambassador's comments negatively, others concerned about the 
implications of working with a terrorist group welcomed the 
Ambassador's views.  Khadka questioned Maoist intentions, but 
remarked that unless the King showed a gesture of 
reconciliation it would be difficult for the parties to 
completely ignore the Maoists. 
 
Other Public Reaction 
--------------------- 
 
3. (SBU) While most of the public welcomed the USG message, 
the Ambassador received a letter from representatives of 
human rights organizations seeking moral support from the 
international community for a dialogue between the Parties 
and the Maoists.  They stated that "full disarmament prior to 
dialogue ... is unrealistic and has not been a prerequisite 
in peace attempts made by the U.S. in other conflict zones." 
The November 8 English-language daily Kathmandu Post carried 
an op-ed by a freelance Nepali journalist currently studying 
in the U.S.  The op-ed quoted Congressman James T. Walsh 
(R-N.Y.) and said that he had reiterated "the international 
community's position that the only way to resolve the crisis 
in Nepal is through a dialogue between the King and the 
parties.  When asked where the Maoists fit into the picture, 
the Congressman said, 'Until they disavow violence, I am not 
sure if they fit at all.'" 
 
Ambassador's Interviews Underline King Must Act 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
4. (C) In interviews with the dominant English-language daily 
newspapers and one of the largest Nepali-language newspapers, 
the Ambassador followed up on the Embassy's November 4 
warning about the dangers of a Parties-Maoist agreement with 
a reiteration of the critical importance of the King's 
reaching out to the political parties.  Underlining the 
importance of addressing the Maoist insurgency simultaneously 
with returning to democracy, he stressed USG concern about 
Nepal's precarious situation.  He also drew attention to 
Bamdev Gautam's contradictory stance, favoring on the one 
hand an alliance with the Maoists, while on the other noting 
that the Maoists had threatened to behead anyone running in 
the municipal elections scheduled for February 8. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
5. (C) It is clear that the Embassy's November 4 statement 
cautioning the Parties and the Ambassador's November 7 
newspaper interviews have resonated among the Parties, the 
media and the public.  Our message has spotlighted the need 
for caution by the Parties in their discussions with the 
Maoists and reminded all of the dangers of an alliance with 
insurgents who continue to use violence and terror. 
MORIARTY