Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
02KATHMANDU1605
2002-08-19 11:08:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kathmandu
Cable title:  

NEPAL ARMY HOLDS MAIDEN PRESS CONFERENCE

Tags:  MCAP MOPS PTER SCUL NP 
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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

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