NEPAL: MAOIST WARNING AGAINST US-AFFILIATED

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 001356

SIPDIS

NOFORN

DEPT FOR SA/INS, SA/RA, PM/SA, INR
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO USAID/ANE, NSC FOR MILLARD, LONDON FOR
POL/GURNEY

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/18/2013
TAGS: PTER EAID PREL CASC NP
SUBJECT: NEPAL: MAOIST WARNING AGAINST US-AFFILIATED
PROGRAMS

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


1. (C) Summary. The Maoists in Nepal reportedly have issued
a notice that all Nepali nationals affiliated with the United
States in Maoist-controlled areas would be subject to
harassment and travel restrictions. Reports from many west
and mid-west districts have indicated that the Maoists' edict
has been widely disseminated, and anectodal evidence suggests
that the Maoists have increased travel restrictions on Nepali
aid workers. In the western District of Kalikot, a foreign
development worker was detained by the Maoists for
questioning, but later released. U.S.-affiliated
organizations operating in affected areas have not reported a
change in treatment by the Maoists. Despite the Maoist
edict, ongoing development programs in remote areas may not
encounter difficulty with the Maoists due to already
established relationships with local Maoist leaders. End
Summary.


2. (C) On July 15, Post received a letter from the Royal
Nepal Army's Department of Military Intelligence indicating
that Maoists had issued "a notice stating that all personnel
who are working for or in any way related with the United
States of America are to undergo public prosecution and are
to be denied entry into the villages." After questioning the
RNA on this matter, Post learned that the Maoists issued the
communique in writing two months ago. It reportedly aimed at
Nepali nationals -- not Americans -- working in the
hinterlands, not the Kathmandu Valley.


3. (C) On July 17, PolOff attended the World Food Program's
quarterly meeting reporting on the food security situation.
The WFP employs field officers in 30 heavily Maoist-affected
districts in Nepal. According to WFP field reports, tensions
between the Maoists and Royal Nepal Army increased greatly in
June. In response, the Maoists have tightened travel
restrictions in many west and mid-western districts. In the
mid-western districts of Jumla, Kalikot, Humla and Mugu the
Maoists have reimposed pass systems for movement; if the
local Maoist leader does not approve a person's reason for
travel, that person is not allowed to leave the village,
reported WFP field officers. In Humla, the pass system
reportedly was implemented as a response to the establishment
of army medical camps in the district. In Jumla, the system
was established because of clashes between the RNA and
Maoists.


4. (C) In line with previous Embassy reporting, Maoist
extortion activities continued to increase in all 30 of the
districts in which WFP has programs. In Rasuwa and Nuwakot,
two districts north of Kathmandu, for example, Maoists
reportedly have doubled the amount of "donations" they
demand. And in Jumla, Mugu and Rukum Districts, Maoists will
not allow any new development activity to be introduced
without their prior permission. In the far-western district
of Bajura, local Maoists have started collecting funds from
government staff as well as from school teachers.


5. (S/NF) Both WFP field officers and other NGO attendees at
the briefing said that Maoists in all 30 WFP districts
recently had made it known that any development program
associated with the U.S. Government would not be allowed to
operate in these districts. The week of June 24, a dual
American and New Zealand citizen working for a WFP
implementing partner, was detained by the Maoists in the
mid-western district of Kalikot and questioned in detail
about his citizenship. The detainee said he felt threatened
by the Maoists, but was able to convince them that he was not
a U.S. citizen, after which he was released. He also
informed PolOff of rumors prevalent in the Maoist-affected
areas that the Maoists intend to break the cease-fire not
because of actions taken by the Government of Nepal, but
because of U.S. and Indian "interferference" in the peace
negotiations.


6. (C) In a July 17 Embassy security briefing for USAID
implementing partners, several U.S. - affiliated programs
suggested that despite increased tension in certain areas and
a high level of Maoist activity, they had encountered no
signficant difficulties in continuing on-going programs in
Maoist-affected areas. For example, a Johns Hopkins
University-affiliated family nutrition program run by an
American in Sarlahi District has been able to continue to
care for newborns in areas administered solely by Maoist
insurgents. All participants of the briefing were encouraged
to contact program colleagues and related partners to share
information on the recent Maoist notification.


7. (C) Comment. RNA reports that the Maoists intend to
"prosecute" and restrict the travel of individuals associated
with the United States are supported by anectodal evidence.
However, local implementation of this decision will vary
considerably across the country, depending on local Maoist
personalities and their relationship with ongoing development
programs. Post has received no indication that the Maoists
intend to target individuals directly employed by the U.S.
Mission in Kathmandu. However, in coordination with Nepal
security forces and other diplomatic missions, Post will
continue to seek information regarding the new Maoist policy
and how it might affect Mission security and development
activities. End Comment.
MALINOWSKI