LOCAL POLITICAL PARTIES STAGE ANTI-AMERICAN

UNCLAS KATHMANDU 000309

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR DS/IP/SA AND SA/INS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC NP
SUBJECT: LOCAL POLITICAL PARTIES STAGE ANTI-AMERICAN
PROTEST -- KATHMANDU



1. On Tuesday, 18 February, a group of ten leftist political
parties staged an anti-American protest, culminating with the
delivery of a protest letter to the Embassy. The crowd
numbered around 100. Their slogans decried US war with Iraq
and North Korea, and US Imperialism. The protest was
peaceful and short-lived. It was consistent with past
protests against the USG, such as those that took place in
the aftermath of our bombing campaign in Afghanistan just
over a year ago.


2. As usual, Post received excellent support from the Nepal
Police assigned to control the protest. The police contained
the protesters outside direct line of sight of the Embassy,
allowing only two of the groups' representatives to come
forward and present their protest letter as agreed in advance
by Post. The protest took place without violence or other
incident.
MALINOWSKI