Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03KATHMANDU1743
2003-09-08 09:08:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kathmandu
Cable title:  

NEPAL: PARTIES CONTINUE PROTESTS, GOVERNMENT

Tags:  PTER PGOV NP GON 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS KATHMANDU 001743 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR SA/INS, S/CT, AND DS
ISLAMABAD FOR AMBASSADOR POWELL
LONDON FOR POL/GURNEY
NSC FOR MILLARD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PGOV NP GON
SUBJECT: NEPAL: PARTIES CONTINUE PROTESTS, GOVERNMENT
REACTION "EXEMPLARY"

REF: KATHMANDU 1713

UNCLAS KATHMANDU 001743

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR SA/INS, S/CT, AND DS
ISLAMABAD FOR AMBASSADOR POWELL
LONDON FOR POL/GURNEY
NSC FOR MILLARD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PGOV NP GON
SUBJECT: NEPAL: PARTIES CONTINUE PROTESTS, GOVERNMENT
REACTION "EXEMPLARY"

REF: KATHMANDU 1713


1. (U) On September 8, the five major political parties
continued with their fifth day of protest in Kathmandu,
culminating in the arrest of an estimated 90-100 people in
various parts of the city. The parties have called off the
protest scheduled for September 9 because of a Newari
festival day. However, the parties will continue with their
final day of protest on September 10. The protests over the
last five days have been modest in size, well disciplined,
and non-violent. On September 8, Arjun Narasingha K.C.,
spokesperson for the Nepali Congress party, reported to the
Ambassador that the police response to the protests has been
"exemplary."


2. (U) The Embassy's Political Specialist contacted each of
the party headquarters to learn how many of their members had
been arrested and released. As of the morning of September 8
(not including this afternoon's arrests):

-- The Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist Leninist (UML)
reported 1,050 members arrested, including five Central
Committee members. While the police have released 900,
Central Committee member Bam Dev Gautum, arrested September
7, and 150 others remain in police custody.

-- The Nepali Congress (NC) Kathmandu Office Secretary,
Sobhakar Parajuli, reports that roughly 900 party members
have been arrested and 694 have been released. Seven leaders
of the party have been arrested with only Central Committee
member Lila Koirala, arrested September 7, still in custody.

-- The Nepal Sadbhavana Party (Anandi Devi) faction had 93
members arrested with all but nine released. Three party
leaders arrested during the protest have already been
released.

-- 125 People's Front Nepal (PFN) members were arrested,
including the party President. The Party President and 81
party members have been released.

-- The smallest member of the coalition, the Nepal Workers
and Peasants Party (NWPP),reported that 66 members were
arrested--43 have now been released.


3. (SBU) Comment: The parties have successfully
demonstrated against the Government's temporary ban on the
right to assemble, while the police have maintained order in
a professional manner. The protests, despite significant
concerns of Maoist infiltration (Reftel),were carried out
without serious incident. It is rumored that the parties'
leaders will head the program on the last day of the joint
agitation, September 10. The protest coincides with the
return of King Gyanendra, who has been out of the country
since August 24. Party leaders continue to seek some signal
from the Palace that the King may be willing to come to a
political understanding with the estranged parties.
MALINOWSKI