Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
02KATHMANDU615
2002-03-27 12:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kathmandu
Cable title:  

TERROR, TRADE AND AID: FORSEC VISIT TO DC

Tags:  PREL PTER EAID ETRD PHUM PGOV PINR NP 
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UNCLAS KATHMANDU 000615 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

LONDON FOR POL/RIEDEL

REF: KATHMANDU 445

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PTER EAID ETRD PHUM PGOV PINR NP
SUBJECT: TERROR, TRADE AND AID: FORSEC VISIT TO DC


UNCLAS KATHMANDU 000615

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

LONDON FOR POL/RIEDEL

REF: KATHMANDU 445

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PTER EAID ETRD PHUM PGOV PINR NP
SUBJECT: TERROR, TRADE AND AID: FORSEC VISIT TO DC



1. (SBU) Summary: Nepal's Foreign Secretary Madhu Raman
Acharya will use his April 2-5 visit to Washington to urge
quick delivery of additional security and development aid
to Nepal, to discuss cooperation in the fight against
terrorism, and to press for more favorable trade terms for
Nepali products. End Summary.

Terror and Aid
--------------


2. (SDU) Nepal's Foreign Secretary Madhu Raman Acharya
told Ambassador March 27 that he considered his April 2-5
Washington visit to be a follow-up to the SecState visit
to Nepal in January. The SecState visit boosted morale,
but had also raised expectations, Acharya said. He would
use his meetings in Washington to underline the importance
of delivering additional aid - including military
assistance - to Nepal quicker, rather than later. Acharya
added that he hoped to discuss ways to cooperate in the
fight against terrorism, and expressed an interest in
discussing counter-terrorism issues while in the U.S. "If
[the situation in Nepal] gets out of control, it will
cause problems for everybody," Acharya concluded.

Trade
--------------


3. (SBU) ForSec plans to raise trade issues during his
visit, focussing on quotas for Nepal's garments and GSP
consideration for its carpets. He will press for making
landlocked Least Developed Countries a special category
for trade purposes, or at least for providing a temporary
waiver for products from such countries. [Note: Acharya
indicated that his Embassy in Washington was attempting to
arrange an appointment with USTR as well as with
Congressional leaders.] On the economic side, Acharya
noted that Parliament's budget session was coming up and
the government would need help to avoid starving
development activities by diverting more funds for
security purposes.

Domestic Politics and Human Rights
--------------


4. (SBU) Ambassador advised ForSec Acharya that his
interlocutors in Washington will be interested in hearing
from him about the domestic political situation and human
rights in Nepal. Acharya replied that political stability
was a prerequisite for solving Nepal's problems, and the
government's position was that any change in government
must take place within a constitutional framework. Taking
note of yesterday's release of four journalists from
military custody (Reftel),Acharya indicated that Nepal's
intentions were good in regard to human rights. When the
Ambassador asked about the status of ICRC's headquarters
agreement with Nepal - reportedly held up in the Foreign
Ministry - Acharya responded that they were in the "final
stages" of the process and expected a decision next week.

Next Stop London
--------------


5. (SBU) Acharya will stop in London for consultations
with his British counterparts on his way back to Nepal.
We understand that Acharya also will soon be traveling to
Moscow.

Comment
--------------


6. (SBU) The Secretary's January visit to Nepal raised
spirits here, and the Nepalese hope to use their Foreign
Secretary's visit to raise Nepal's profile in Washington,

SIPDIS
and - more immediately - to raise much-needed development
and security assistance. As Acharya pointed out, without
increased support at this time, Nepal's problems will
become more serious and intractable.

MALINOWSKI