NEPAL: MAOISTS ASK TO MEET AMBASSADOR

UNCLAS KATHMANDU 000621 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR SA/INS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER PGOV PREL NP SUBJECT: NEPAL: MAOISTS ASK TO MEET AMBASSADOR REF: A. (A) STATE 74113 ¶B. (B) KATHMANDU 0572 ¶1. (SBU) On April 4 the Embassy received what appeared to be a form letter addressed to "Your Excellency the Ambassador/Consular" and signed by Maoist second-in-command Baburam Bhattarai inviting the Ambassador or his representative to "a goodwill meeting" with the five-man negotiating team. The letter, which was dated April 2, follows two telephone calls received April 3 from go-betweens requesting a meeting with the Ambassador. ¶2. (SBU) The letter listed five of "our more important policy commitments" to enable better understanding of the "context" of the proposed meeting. First, the Maoists committed to observing the ceasefire and to ensuring successful negotiations, the letter claimed, but "the old monarchical state with its known retrogressive intentions" persists in violating the ceasefire. Second, "as the international community very well knows, there are virtually two states, two armies and two thoughts/cultures contending for supremacy in the country." These two forces have entered into a stalemate, as manifested by the ceasefire. Because the conflict will only continue absent a "progressive political solution," the letter urges all parties to focus on finding that solution, "rather than to get bogged down in minor 'rehabilitation' or 'development' issues." Third, the international community should recognize there is "overwhelming support" for the Maoists' proposed constituent assembly and should "help in whatever way it can to materialize this most democratic option right now." Fourth, the Maoists profess to be committed to "a multiparty political system" and "real democracy" for all oppressed peoples and do not seek a one-party dictatorship. Fifth, the Maoists seek "cordial and mutually beneficial relations" based on the principles of peaceful coexistence with all countries, especially India and China. ¶3. (SBU) Comment: The language, syntax and some of the phrasing in the letter track closely with statements Bhattarai made in a March 30 press conference (Ref B), suggesting that Bhattarai might have cut and pasted this letter from a prepared text read at that venue. The dismissal of "minor rehabilitation and development issues"--which, apparently, the Maoists do not see as an important part of "a progressive political solution"--as an appropriate topic may be intended to counter the Government's stated preference to begin talks by addressing socio-economic issues, where areas of agreement may be more numerous. By positing the existence of "two states," the Maoists are justifying their request for a meeting at the Ambassadorial level and their interest in pursuing their own foreign policy. Their willingness to meet with the Ambassador's "representative" may suggest that they realize the request is unlikely to be granted at the level desired. The Embassy is reviewing its response to this letter, based on the guidance provided in Ref A, and in coordination with the British and Indian Embassies, which have received similar overtures. MALINOWSKI