Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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02KATHMANDU1407 | 2002-07-19 11:27:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Kathmandu |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. |
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 001407 |
1. (SBU) In a July 18 press release, Prachanda, President of Nepal's Maoist Central Committee, called for a political solution to the present conflict in the form of a new interim government and expressed the Maoists' willingness to be flexible. Making what appears to be a pitch to mainstream political parties, Prachanda criticized Nepal's monarchy and its military, but stated that a recent split in the ruling party was not part of a "conspiracy" against democracy. The statement is negative on the national elections slated for later this year, but leaves open the possibility of elections if the Maoists decide the political environment has improved, i.e., if an interim government is formed to oversee elections. Notably, the statement makes no mention of the Maoists' demands for a republic and a constituent assembly. 2. (SBU) Observers viewed the message as a rehash of past Maoists statements, and only "a little bit new." All agreed that the ongoing mobilization of Nepal's military and, more directly, recent efforts by India to crack down on Maoists operating on its territory, had begun to put the squeeze on the insurgents. One local editor suggested that Maoist leaders living in India expect to be taken next. 3. (SBU) The release is widely considered genuine, but one observer commented that he would wait a few days--to see if the Maoists publish a retraction--before passing judgement on its authenticity. 4. (U) Post's unofficial translation of the release follows. Begin Text: Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) Central Committee Press statement The string of events from the time of the Palace massacre to the present have made clear the fact that the feudal regressive elements, on the backing and directions of foreign reactionaries, under a planned conspiracy, have been attempting to unleash extreme tyranny against Nepal and the Nepali people. Taking advantage of the weaknesses of the political parties that participated in the historic 1990 People's Movement, the feudal regressive elements one after another have been attacking the people's civil and political achievements. Now it is becoming clearer and clearer that the fictitious dissolution of the Parliament and the announcement of the so-called mid-term elections, when the country has been in a very difficult and adverse situation, are nothing but the conspiracy's final moves. The plan to hold elections on a mountain of corpses and in pools of blood, not providing a positive political solution for millions of Nepali people struggling for a progressive transformation of Nepali society under the flags of the Maoist movement, is in itself a wicked conspiracy. When all the political parties both in and outside parliament, intellectual society, and all the people, unite against the emergency and for talks and a positive political solution, right at that point the Parliament was dissolved in the middle of the night, as if by a criminal. This has amplified many times the seriousness of the conspiracy. We have, very seriously, been making it clear that the feud between Girija Prasad Koirala and Sher Bahadur Deuba are not the reason behind this, but rather that the feudal palace and the Royal Army headquarters have raised arms against the people. In this situation, to think that it will be fruitful to take part in the so-called mid-term elections, instead of raising the voices of all the political parties, intellectual society and the people, in a united manner, against the so-called emergency and for the creation of an appropriate environment for a positive political solution and proper elections, and against the feudal regressive elements, will be nothing but something like putting oneself in the nets of an extremely cruel hunter. In our view, if all the pro-people forces side with the nation and the people in a united order, without being destabilized by the intimidation and conspiracy of the feudal regressive forces, and make just one step forward, doors to solving all the problems of the country will simultaneously open. Opposition to the so-called emergency, talks for the positive political solution, dialogue, interim government, and the agreed-upon election procedures can, under its leadership, be the minimum basis for the resolution of the problems for now. The fact that we are ready to resolve the existing problems of the country in a flexible manner in accordance with talks, dialogue and consensus with all the political parties and pro-people powers, was made clear by the letter that we had sent to all the political parties, both in and outside parliament, and intellectuals before the so-called emergency reached the six-month point. We are still firm today on those kind of initiatives as well as a political solution. But if someone seeks security in the web of the feudal regressive elements, they betray the country and the people at this difficult and sensitive historical moment, and the result of that will be decided by history. We don't consider entangling [oneself] in the web and thereby staining history anything other than a highly despicable act. Therefore, we in total seriousness strongly appeal to all the pro-people forces in the country to unite against the so-called emergency and for a positive political solution. Shrawan 2, 2059 (July 18, 2002) Prachanda, President, Central Committee, NCP (Maoist) End Text. MALINOWSKI |