NEPAL: GOVERNMENT REACTION TO CAPTURE OF SADDAM

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 002476

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SA/INS
LONDON FOR POL - GURNEY
NSC FOR MILLARD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2013
TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ NP
SUBJECT: NEPAL: GOVERNMENT REACTION TO CAPTURE OF SADDAM
HUSSEIN

Classified By: Classified by DCM Robert K. Boggs. Reason: 1.5 (b, d).


1. (SBU) The December 16-19 visit to Kathmandu of Assistant
Secretary for South Asian Affairs Christina Rocca to Nepal

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provided an opportunity for a range of high-ranking
government officials and others to convey their
congratulations on the capture of Saddam Hussein. Many
welcomed the news as a promising omen of greater peace and
stability in Iraq. Media reaction is being conveyed septel.


2. (C) In a December 18 discussion with A/S Rocca and the
Ambassador, King Gyanendra expressed his congratulations on
the capture. Meeting A/S Rocca and the Ambassador on
December 16, Ambassador-at-large Bekh Bahadur Thapa, who is
Nepal's de facto Foreign Minister, congratulated the USG on
the event, which he described as a "success" that the
Government of Nepal (GON) hopes will bring peace. Foreign
Secretary Madhu Raman Acharya also characterized the capture

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as a "success," but acknowledged that the road to peace in
Iraq remains difficult. At a December 17 luncheon, Finance
Minister Dr. Prakash Lohani, Information Minister Kamal
Thapa, and Education and Commerce Minister Hari Bahadur
Basnet, each conveyed his congratulations to the Assistant
Secretary and the Ambassador on the former Iraqi dictator's

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apprehension. Also on December 17, Chief of Army Staff Gen.
Pyar Jung Thapa opened his meeting with A/S Rocca and the
Ambassador by hailing the successful capture.


3. (SBU) The positive reaction has not been limited to GON
officials. In a private conversation with A/S Rocca and the
Ambassador on December 18, former Prime Minister and head of
the Nepali Congress (Democratic) Sher Bahadur Deuba asked the
A/S to convey his congratulations on Saddam's apprehension to
USG officials in Washington.
MALINOWSKI