Media Reaction: U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 KATHMANDU 002505

SIPDIS

SEPT FOR INR/R, R/MR, I/RW, I/REC; PA, SA/PPD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR NP
SUBJECT: Media Reaction: U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF
STATE CHRISTINA ROCCA'S VISIT TO NEPAL

Summary: Nepali media followed the visit of U.S.
Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Christina

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Rocca with keen interest. Her meetings with the king,
government officials and political leaders were covered
with top priority. While her meeting with army
officials at the Royal Nepal Army headquarters was
viewed positively as an evidence of the continuation of
military support to fight the Maoists by some, others
expressed skepticism over America's increasing
"interests" in Nepal. The media also gave emphasis to
Rocca's "exclusive" visit to Nepal in South Asia.
Opinions and editorials were largely positive.


1. EDITORIALS/OPINIONS

-- Editorial in "The Rising Nepal, " (Government-owned,
E/D, 12/18): "...The four-day visit by the high-ranking
U.S. official is expected to help the U.S. government
garner an update on the recent developments in Nepal.
Nepalese officials would do well to seize the
opportunity to explain to the Americans its strategies
and plans in meeting the challenges confronting the
nation and seek assistance where relevant."

-- Editorial in "Spotlight," (Rightist, E/W, 12/18):
"...U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia
Christina Rocca renews American support to Nepal in its
war against terrorism".. Although the U.S. is far away
from Nepal, the sincere support given by the world's
only super power to Nepal has immense importance to
limit the damage of terrorism".. But the U.S. pressure
on India, whose sincere support is essential to Nepal's
quest for peace by containing the Maoists and creating
conducive situation to hold elections, is yet to be
seen.... Whether one likes it or not, the U.S. has
reaffirmed its continuous support for Nepal's effort to
quell the Maoist terrorism as a part of its global war
against terrorism. Rocca's statement and support to
Nepal's cause once again proves that the U.S. is a
reliable partner, which has only the intention of
seeing the long-term security and prosperity of Nepal.

-- Editorial in "Annapurna Post," (Pro-India, V/D,
12/19): "...Rocca's visit proves that America attaches
special concerns for Nepal".. Her visit makes it evident
that America wants sustained peace and an efficient
system [in Nepal]..."

-- Op-ed in "Nepali Times," (Centrist, E/W, 12/19):
""false premises, Did Christina Rocca figure out what
is really going on in Nepal?".. By the time she leaves
on Friday, it is unlikely that she will have learned
much more than what she has already been told by the
embassy here". All Christina Rocca needs to take back
home to correct her government's policies towards Nepal
is an appreciation of the role of democracy in this
country."

-- Op-ed in "The Rising Nepal," (Government-owned, E/D,
12/19): "Rocca's visit: Fruitful for Nepal: .". In view
of the remarkable contribution made by the U.S.
government in the social and economic development, the
USA can play an important role to resolve the present
crisis".. The U.S. assistance in the development of
rural areas will be fruitful in this context". It is
expected that the fact-finding mission of Rocca will be
fruitful to understand Nepal more closely and help
resolve problems."

-- "Desh Prem," (Centrist, V/W, 12/18): "...Christina
Rocca has been busy meeting with leaders of various
political parties since her arrival at Tribhuvan
International Airport. Her meetings were focused on
Nepal's internal political affairs. British special
envoy Jeffrey James was in the country just a few days
ago [with similar activities]. This shows that
foreigners are
meddling in Nepal's internal business."

-- Op-ed in "The Rising Nepal," (Government-owned, E/D,
12/22): "". Rocca Visit: What all should learn: ". Her
repeated appeals that all the constitutional forces
should work together to resolve the present crisis
faced by the nation should not go unheeded. It must be
remembered this can't be done by pointing fingers at
one another, especially not by blaming the very
institution [monarchy] that has guided the nation
through thick and thin for more than two centuries and
which has the biggest stake in the well-being of the
nation than anyone else. "

-- "Drishti," (Leftist, V/W, 12/23): "". Media persons,
keen to learn what impact Rocca's visit might have on
Nepal, were disappointed to find that she also
supported 'Asojtantra' [king's October 4, 2002 move].
It is understood that Rocca's intention is to 'fish in
muddy water' amidst the political chaos of Nepal."


2. REPORTS

-- "Tarun," (Pro-Nepali Congress Democratic, V/W,
12/22): "".. Donors unhappy with King and Army: Donors
have indicated that they may cut off the financial
assistance if the situation in Nepal continues to be
like this".. The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for
South Asian Region, Christina Rocca, has returned
dissatisfied with the role of the king, army and
political parties. Referring to the violations of
human rights by the army, Rocca openly said that if the
situation did not improve it would have [negative]
effects on the American military assistance to Nepal."

-- "The Kathmandu Post," (Centrist, E/D, 12/21): "Rocca
mum over US support to parties". The U.S. Assistant
Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs, Christina

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Rocca, denied to hand out any assurance of U.S.
political support to the political parties both during
her separate meetings with party representatives and at
the joint meeting held at the residence of the U.S.
ambassador. Sources in the party said Rocca was more
critical of the way political parties were functioning
rather than pledging any U.S. support to them in their
bid to restore the derailed constitutional and
political process. 'How do you all expect to weather
the political crisis when your parties are suffering
from intra-party squabbling and mismanagement?' Rocca
asked six leaders representing the NC, CPN-UML and
Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP). Saying that the
tryst with Rocca was more an embarrassment than a
prelude to any breakthrough in conflict with the
constitutional monarch, party sources revealed that the
U.S. visitor advised against any confrontation with the
king 'since the common enemy is the CPN-Maoist.'"

-- "Annapurna Post," (Pro-India, V/D, 12/20): "". U.S.
Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Christina
Rocca, during her visit to Nepal, gave assurances to
political party leaders that she would report to the
U.S. Government and Senate about the current human
rights situation and setback in democratic exercises in
Nepal."

-- "Nepal Samacharpatra," (Centrist, V/D, 12/19):
"...U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian
Affairs Christina Rocca today visited several health
programs sponsored by the U.S. Agency for International
Development (USAID) in collaboration with the
government of Nepal."

-- "Nepali Patra," (Rightist, V/W, 12/19): "". Political
parties have always been complaining to the U.S. that
democracy is being eradicated in Nepal. Christina
Rocca's visit will remove all this confusion, as she
clearly understood from the king that he and the
government were fully committed to democracy and human
rights."

-- "The Kathmandu Post," (Centrist, E/D, 12/19) and
"Kantipur," (Centrist, V/D, 12/19): "...On the third day
of her Nepal visit, Christina Rocca, the U.S. Assistant
Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs, has said

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that concerned forces have realized the seriousness of
the threat posed by the Maoist insurgency. She
stressed that the U.S. was for democracy and
preser
vation of human rights in Nepal. 'Democracy is
important and we like to see it thriving,' she said.
She said that the U.S. would continue extending support
to the Royal Nepal Army, which it has been doing for
the past one year. 'There's some optimism within the
RNA,' she said. Rocca also said that she raised the
rights issues very strongly with the government and has
received full assurances of improvement. 'Human rights
abuses are unacceptable. The rights awareness program
initiated within the RNA will continue,' she said"..
However, Rocca was against the idea of using aid-cut as
a political tool to pressurize the king or the
government. 'Our aid is for the poor people of this
country, not in the support of any government,' she
said."

-- "The Himalayan Times," (Pro-India, E/D, 12/19):
"...All democratic forces in Nepal understood the major
threat the country was facing and the need to work
together to deal with the threat, the visiting U.S.
assistant secretary of state for South Asian affairs,
Christina Rocca, said when asked about differences she
saw in the political situation since her last visit a
year ago. Rocca regretted the current 'impasse'
between the monarch and the agitating parties, but
underlined the need for 'some kind of reconciliation.'
She hastened to add this was something for the Nepali
people themselves to decide. 'Democracy is a very
important element in Nepal and we want to see it put
back on track,' she said. She reaffirmed Washington's
continued support to Nepal to overcome the present
period of hardship. She also urged the constitutional
forces to 'come together' and 'find a way out of the
challenges facing the country.' 'The U.S. will
continue to provide military assistance,' she said,
satisfied with the army's campaign against terrorism."

-- "The Rising Nepal," (Government-owned, E/D, 12/19):
"...Rocca said that it is 'critical' for all the
constitutional parties of Nepal to come together to
meet the biggest threat facing the country. 'All sides
should reach some sort of consensus to deal with the
main threat,' she said".. Both Rocca and U.S. Ambassador
Michael E. Malinowski said that the major portion of
the U.S. aid went for 'social causes' in Nepal".."

-- "Spacetime," (Centrist, V/D, 12/19): ""after meeting
Rocca, former foreign minister Ram Saran Mahat said
that America was concerned about the Maoist problem and
believed that the political bickering had to end to
resolve the problem".. According to Mahat, Rocca said
that the situation in Nepal had further deteriorated
since last year and would present a report on this to
her government. Rocca met with Nepali Congress general
secretary Sushil Koirala and Mahat, CPN-UML general

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secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal and foreign department

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chief Jhalnath Khanal..."

-- "Rajdhani," (Centrist, V/D, 12/19): "...Rocca said
that violations of human rights could affect the U.S.
assistance to Nepal, while talking to journalists.".
Citing security reasons, Rocca met with party leaders
at the American ambassador's residence in Kamaladi."

-- "The Kathmandu Post," (Centrist, E/D, 12/18):
"...Christina Rocca, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of
State for South Asian Affairs, has raised the issue of
deployment of the Royal Nepalese Army personnel in
Iraq, U.S. Embassy officials revealed here today. 'The
U.S. government has asked many friendly countries some
months back to send their troops to Iraq and this is
nothing new,' said Constance C. Jones, the Public
Affairs Officer of the U.S. Embassy. Responding to a
question whether Rocca raised the issue with the
government and the RNA, Jones said, 'This could have
been raised though it was not on the formal agenda.'
The government's response was not immediately known."

-- "Kantipur," (Centrist, V/D, 12/18): "... According to
American Embassy's spokesperson Constance C. Jones,
Rocca inquired about the human rights situation with
army officials. To this,
the officials said that the
army was clear on human rights and was investigating
and taking actions against those accused of human
rights violations, said RNA spokesperson Deepak
Gurung."

-- "Rajdhani," (Centrist, V/D, 12/18): "". 'Rocca was
satisfied with the RNA's initiatives to protect human
rights, investigations and actions against the
abusers,' said high-level army sources. 'She is happy
with us,' said officials."

-- "The Himalayan Times," (Pro-India, E/D, 12/18):
"...The Royal Nepalese Army today requested Washington to
provide additional military hardware and other
assistance to target the command and control system of
the Maoists. The request came following a briefing to
the visiting United States Assistant Secretary of State
for South Asian Affairs, Christina Rocca, on the
overall security situation. 'She was briefed on the
current needs of the army in quelling the eight-year-
old Maoist insurgency,' a highly placed source at the
Royal Nepalese Army Headquarter told. According to the
source, the Director General of Military Operation
requested her for expediting the assistance on
providing weapons and equipment."

-- "Annapurna Post," (Pro-India, V/D, 12/18): "...The RNA
has demanded added assistance from the United States
stating that it has not achieved expected success in
the fight against Maoists due to lack of training and
infrastructure."
-- "Nepal Samacharpatra," (Centrist, V/D, 12/18): "".
the Royal Nepal Army (RNA) has drawn a serious
attention from the U.S. by stating that some
international organizations were supporting the
Maoists. 'It is a matter of grave concern for us,'
said army chief Pyar Jung Thapa to the visiting U.S.
Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia, Christina
Rocca, at the army headquarters. During the meeting,
Thapa also read a 15-page analytical report to Rocca,
which included information about the army's requirement
of arms and equipment, the status of the security
forces' current action, and political situation. The
army chief said the army immediately needed arms and
equipment, training on counter-terrorism, and some
helicopters because of the difficult geographical
terrains..."

-- "Hindu," (Rightist, V/W, 12/18): "...Christina Rocca
asked Prime Minister Thapa whether there was a
favorable environment for holding elections here, as
the political setback is quite obvious..."

-- "The Rising Nepal," (Government-owned, E/D, 12/18):
"...The King Wednesday evening granted an audience to
visiting U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christina
Rocca. She also met with the chief of army staff
General Pyar Jung Thapa at the Royal Nepalese Army
headquarters. High-level army officials and U.S.
ambassador Michael E. Malinowski were present at the
meeting. She is expected to meet political leaders and
the press tomorrow."

-- "Radio Nepal," (State-owned, 12/17): "...The U.S.
Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia, Christina
Rocca Tuesday called on Prime Minister Surya Bahadur
Thapa, and said, the 'US will continue assisting Nepal
in the fight against Maoist insurgency.'"

-- "The Kathmandu Post," (Centrist, E/D, 12/17) and
"Kantipur," (V/D, 12/17): "...The visiting Assistant
Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Christina

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Rocca today expressed concerns over increasing
instances of human rights abuses by the security
forces, according to ambassador-at-large Dr. Bhekh
Bahadur Thapa.". 'The issue had to be raised,' said
Constance C Jones, Public Affairs Officer of the
American Embassy. 'The incidents lately are not
ordinary. There will be meetings with the political
leaders on Wednesday to take stock of the situation,'
said Jones. According to Jones, Rocca will discuss on
how to resolve the current situation. 'The visit is a
fact-finding mission.' "...During her meetings on Tuesday,
Rocca also expressed happiness over the progress on
Bhutanese refugee problem".. She had a brief talk with
CPN-UML general secreta
ry Madhav Kumar Nepal at the
airport. Both of them arrived in Kathmandu from
Bangkok on the same flight."

-- "The Himalayan Times," (Pro-India, E/D, 12/17):
""assistant secretary of state for South Asian Affairs,
Christina Rocca, today arrived in Kathmandu for a four-
day official visit. 'I am here to see what is going on
in Nepal,' Rocca said on her arrival at the Tribhuvan
International Airport. She did not talk of anything in
particular regarding the bilateral, economic and
security cooperation. She held discussions with Prime
Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa and Ambassador at Large
Bhekh Bahadur Thapa this afternoon. 'No conclusions
can be drawn yet,' she told reporters at the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs where she met Foreign Secretary
Madhu Raman Acharya and the Ambassador at Large. She
will also make an assessment of the security
cooperation.' Rocca voiced serious concern on the
Human Rights situation in the country. She was further
interested in the government's plan to hold elections,
officials said."

-- "The Kathmandu Post," (Centrist, E/D, 12/16): "...The
United States Assistant Secretary of State for South
Asian Affairs Christina Rocca is arriving tomorrow on
an exclusive four-day Nepal visit that has been termed
a 'routine fact finding mission,' by the U.S. Embassy
in Kathmandu".. On why was Rocca visiting only Nepal
this time, Constance C Jones, Public Affairs Officer of
the U.S. Embassy said, 'There is no big reason behind
the visit. The Assistant Secretary of State is coming
to know the situation here.'". Rocca is coming at a
time when the five stirring political parties have
announced the loth phase of their joint movement
against regressive moves, accusing foreign powers, the
United States among them, for siding with the monarchy
against the parties."

-- "The Himalayan Times," (Pro-India, E/D, 12/16):
"...U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian
Affairs Christina Rocca arrives here tomorrow on a
four-day fact finding mission and is expected to
discuss political and security situation in Nepal with
government leaders and security officials"..Rocca, the
high profile official of the Bush administration, is
also scheduled to be briefed on the security situation
at the Royal Nepal Army headquarters. The visit at the
army headquarters provides Rocca an opportunity to be
briefed on the progress made in combating terrorism
since she visited the army headquarters a year ago.
Rocca is also having meetings with officials of the US
missions based in Nepal to review problems they could
be facing regarding the prevailing security situation."

-- "Taja Khabar," (Leftist, V/W, 12/15): ""according to
sources close to the royal palace, Rocca's visit is
aimed at pressurizing the political parties to abort
the agitation and give warnings to ongoing fight
between the political parties and the King. The palace
invited Rocca for this after the political parties went
against its orders. According to sources, America does
not want to see the fight between democratic forces and
the King. American infiltration has increased in Nepal
since Deuba's rule in the name of protecting democracy.
Deuba has already become American slave. Lately, the
Thapa government has been able to scare Nepalese with
the help of American weapons.". Rocca will also try to
patch up the divided Nepali Congress, if not ask them
to support the King in the current crisis. She will
also try to bring together the fighting Thapa and Rana
camps of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP)....
America is also planning to make Nepal a buyer for its
weapons".. India does not like American movement in
Nepal. Amid all this confusion, Rocca's visit to Nepal
is no less mysterious. Rocca will have a special
discussion with Nepali Congress (Democratic) president
Sher Bahadur Deuba".. Deuba was the only supporter of
American attack on Iraq. He was also the person who
opened up Nepal's strategica
lly important places to the
American military rulers."

-- "Sanghu," (Leftist, V/W, 12/15): ""Jhe five
agitating parties plan to demonstrate on Tuesday,
December 16 with black flags for restoration of
democracy, the day American Assistant Secretary of
State for South Asia Christina Rocca is scheduled to
arrive in Nepal. The American government, which
remained supportive of the monarchy after the royal
move of October 4, 2002, has now become alone. America
has become isolated after other powerful countries,
including the United Kingdom, Germany and India, called
for the formation of an all-party government."

-- "Spacetime," (Centrist, V/D, 12/13): "". U.S.
Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs
Christina Rocca is scheduled to visit Nepal next week.
She will arrive Nepal on Tuesday to talk on bilateral
relations and Nepal's current situation, U.S. Embassy
spokesperson Constance Colding Jones said. Jones said
Rocca would meet with the king, the Prime Minister, top
leaders of political parties, the army chief and high-
level government officials."

-- "The Himalayan Times," (Pro-India, E/D, 12/12):
"...U.S. assistant secretary of state for South Asian
affairs Christina Rocca is tentatively scheduled to
visit Nepal next week on a fact-finding mission,
diplomatic sources said. However, the visit has not
been confirmed yet. 'She will stay in touch with the
political and security situation in Nepal,' the source
said. Rocca visited Nepal for three days in December
last year."

MALINOWSKI