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