NEPAL: MORE ON BILATERAL AGREEMENT TO PROTECT

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 001645 SIPDIS LONDON FOR POL/RIEDEL E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2012 TAGS: PREL LICC NP SUBJECT: NEPAL: MORE ON BILATERAL AGREEMENT TO PROTECT CITIZENS FROM INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT REF: A. STATE 157638 ¶B. KATHMANDU 1416 ¶C. STATE 135262 Classified By: DCM Robert K. Boggs, Reasons 1.5(b),(d) ¶1. (C) Foreign Secretary Madhu Raman Acharya on August 23 told DCM that Nepal has no disagreement with the USG's views on the International Criminal Court (ICC). Acharya was clearly well informed about US views and interest in signing bilateral accords against surrendering each other's citizens to the ICC, as we explained at the Joint Secretary level on July 17 (Ref B). However, he said, Nepal was "not fond of making agreements," and thus would have to deliberate further before signing. ¶2. (C) Nepal has two main reservations about the ICC, Acharya explained. First, Nepal has concerns about the legal liability of the Commander in Chief, who in Nepal's case is its King. (Note: The King of Nepal is not only sovereign, he is also traditionally considered to be an incarnation of a Hindu god, Vishnu. End Note.) Second, Nepal was worried that the ICC could compromise its sovereignty, no small matter for a small country like Nepal, Acharya emphasized. ¶3. (C) Embassy will continue to press the GON to sign the draft bilateral agreement. MALINOWSKI