CHINA'S AMBASSADOR CALLS FOR INTERNATIONAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 000953

SIPDIS

LONDON FOR POL/RIEDEL
BEIJING PASS CHENGDU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/15/2012
TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV PHUM PINR NP CH
SUBJECT: CHINA'S AMBASSADOR CALLS FOR INTERNATIONAL
COOPERATION TO HELP NEPAL FIGHT MAOISTS

Classified By: Ambassador Michael E. Malinowski, Reasons 1.5(b),(d).


1. (C) Summary. "International cooperation" was needed to
deal with Nepal's Maoist insurgency, China's Ambassador to
Nepal told Ambassador at a May 8 dinner. China would provide
moral support and assistance in this effort, Ambassador Wu
Congyong said, but consistent with its policy of
non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, China
was confident that Nepal could solve its own problems. Wu
expressed concern about the spread of Maoist violence
throughout Nepal, saw little hope for a negotiated
settlement, and predicted a prolonged conflict. New Delhi
should prevent the Maoists from using Indian territory. Wu
explained China's official term for the insurgents:
"anti-government forces." On May 10 Wu spoke out publicly
against the Maoists for the first time, repeating to the
press the points he made to Ambassador May 8. The Chinese
seem shocked by the worsening crisis and have signaled that
they want to be part of the solution to Nepal's problems.
End Summary.

China Stresses International Cooperation
--------------


2. (C) "International cooperation" was needed to address the
problem of the Maoist insurgency in Nepal, Chinese Ambassador
to Nepal Wu Congyong has told us. At Wu's invitation,
Ambassador and Emboffs dined at the Chinese Embassy May 8.
Wu emphasized that China would provide "moral support and
assistance within its means" to help the government of Nepal
deal with the Maoists, but did not specify what form this aid
would take. Social reforms would also be needed to address
the root causes of the insurgency, Wu added. China's goal
was to ensure Nepal's peace, stability and security.
Moreover, Wu continued, China's policy of non-intervention in
other countries' internal affairs also applied to Nepal, and
China considered that Nepal could solve its own problems.
The same evening Ambassador briefed Wu on USG policy towards
Nepal, plans to assist the GON, and Prime Minister Deuba's
May 7 Oval Office meeting.

Chinese See Worsening Situation, Grim Prospects
-------------- --


3. (C) Wu expressed concern that the security situation in
Nepal has worsened and that the violence has spread from
remote areas to the Kathmandu Valley. Furthermore, of late
Maoist violence has become increasingly intense. When the
Ambassador replied that such violence could not be tolerated,
Wu agreed. Wu commented that security problems have
prevented more Chinese tourists from visiting Nepal. (Note:
China and Nepal recently completed a bilateral tourism
agreement designating Nepal as an approved destination for
Chinese tour groups. Two Chinese construction project
workers have been injured as a result of the conflict in
Nepal, one in February 2001, and the other in April of this
year, both in Sindhupalchowk district north of Kathmandu.
Both were employees of the same project. End Note.)


4. (C) Wu judged prospects for a negotiated settlement to be
poor. Nepal's government called on the Maoists to lay down
their arms, but this is unlikely. At the same time, the
Maoists set out three conditions for talks, but these are not
acceptable to the GON. The current situation will likely go
on for a long time, Wu predicted.

India Needs to Crack Down
--------------


5. (C) Discussing New Delhi's role in the conflict, Wu said
that it would be good if India could prevent the Maoists from
using Indian territory. Wu noted that the open border
between Nepal and India made it easy to smuggle arms and
logistical supplies as well as to move personnel back and
forth.

Will the Real Maoists Please Stand Up
--------------


6. (C) Wu explained that as a matter of policy China did not
refer to Nepal's insurgents as "Maoists" (Chinese: Maopai),
but rather as "anti-government forces" (Ch: fan zhengfu
shili). The insurgents had "usurped" the name of Chinese
leader Mao Zedong, Wu insisted. (Note: Although he took
pains to explain his government's preference for the latter
term, in conversation the Chinese Ambassador - a Japan hand
who speaks little English - more often than not referred to
the insurgents as "Maopai." End Note.)

Chinese Speak Out Against Maoists
--------------


7. (C) Two days after hosting Ambassador and Emboffs,
Ambassador Wu for the first time spoke out publicly against
the Maoists. Press reports quote him as stating, "we condemn
the violence and terrorist acts unleashed by anti-government
forces in Nepal." (Note: The Chinese Ambassador was
speaking at a May 10 event launching his Embassy's website:
www.chinaembassy.org.np. His public comments tracked with
those he made at the March 8 dinner. End Note.) In Wu's
public statement he also said that "the Chinese government
consistently opposes terrorism in any form and upholds
international cooperation to combat terrorism," and "the
independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nepal
should be fully respected and maintained."

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


8. (C) The Chinese Ambassador seemed genuinely shocked by the
dramatic increase in the level of Maoist violence in recent
months. Watching as a friendly and formerly benign neighbor
struggles to put down a brutal insurgency is evidently
discomfiting, as is the prospect of another hot spot in South
Asia and instability on the Tibet border. Cognizant of
increased coordination between the U.S., U.K. and other
donors on the response to the insurgency, Ambassador Wu
invited us over in order to send a clear signal that China
wants to be part of the solution to Nepal's worsening crisis.
That in recent years contacts between our two embassies have
been sparse and intermittent underlines the significance of
Wu's overture.
MALINOWSKI