WARNING NEPAL'S MAOISTS AGAIN AGAINST THREATENING

S E C R E T KATHMANDU 002254 SIPDIS NOFORN STATE FOR SA LONDON FOR POL - GURNEY E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/17/2013 TAGS: PTER ASEC PREL NP IN UK SUBJECT: WARNING NEPAL'S MAOISTS AGAIN AGAINST THREATENING AMCITS REF: A. KATHMANDU 2246 ¶B. KATHMANDU 2163 ¶C. KATHMANDU 1461 ¶D. STATE 219519 Classified By: AMB. MICHAEL E. MALINOWSKI. REASON: 1.5 (B, D). ¶1. (S/NF) Summary: In view of the increased intensity and frequency of verbal threats by Nepal's Maoists against U.S. citizens and interests, the Embassy requests Department permission to attempt to send another message to the Maoist leadership through a reliable intermediary, warning them to desist. Embassy asks that the Department also consider instructing Embassies London and New Delhi to strongly request their respective host governments to send parallel messages to their covert contacts in the Maoist leadership. End summary. ¶2. (S/NF) Since unilaterally breaking off the ceasefire on August 27, Maoist insurgents have steadily intensified their anti-American rhetoric--from statements posted on their official website, to e-mails sent to local media outlets, to slogans painted on walls in remote rural communities. The specific threats against Peace Corps trainees in Rupandehi District (Ref A),the exclusion of USG-sponsored assistance programs from the Maoists' purported new policy of cooperation with foreign donors (Ref B),and reporting in other channels of a possible Maoist public demand that all USG personnel leave Nepal indicate an alarming rise in both the volume and frequency of anti-American messages. We believe the threats are part of a Maoist strategy to isolate us diplomatically from other donors and force us to close down our extensive, long-standing and highly successful bilateral development assistance to the Government of Nepal. The anti-US public relations campaign is also likely intended to divert attention from--and provide a convenient excuse for--the Maoists' lack of military success in the field since the resumption of hostilities. While we note that the Maoists to date have never acted on any of these numerous threats, their insistent repetition is cause for the utmost concern. ¶3. (S/NF) Action Request: The Embassy believes the threats against US citizens and interests warrant re-engaging with the Maoists on several levels to stress USG concern at the rhetoric and to warn again of possible repercussions if the threats continue. We request Department permission to attempt to pass such a message to the Maoist leadership through a trusted intermediary. Suggested talking points follow below. Embassy also requests that the Department instruct our Embassies in New Delhi and London to ask their respective host governments to communicate a similar message to their covert Maoist contacts. ¶4. (S/NF) Suggested Talking Points: --The protection of US citizens and interests is the USG's most important interest in Nepal and around the world. --The USG regards threats against its citizens as a matter of the gravest concern and treats all such threats--and those who issue them--as hostile. --We must interpret Maoist threats as expressions of intent to endanger our citizens. --The USG will hold the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and its leaders responsible for any harm that may befall our citizens or personnel as a result of such threats and will take all appropriate action. End text of suggested talking points. MALINOWSKI