Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03KATHMANDU858
2003-05-09 09:37:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kathmandu
Cable title:  

UPDATE ON NEPAL'S MAOIST INSURGENCY, May 3-9

Tags:  PINS PTER CASC PGOV NP 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 KATHMANDU 000858 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SA/INS AND DS/IP/NEA
STATE ALSO PLEASE PASS USAID/DCHA/OFDA
STATE ALSO PLEASE PASS PEACE CORPS HQ
USAID FOR ANE/AA GORDON WEST AND JIM BEVER
MANILA FOR USAID/DCHA/OFDA
LONDON FOR POL/RIEDEL
TREASURY FOR GENERAL COUNSEL/DAUFHAUSER AND DAS JZARATE
TREASURY ALSO FOR OFAC/RNEWCOMB AND TASK FORCE ON TERRORIST
FINANCING
JUSTICE FOR OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL/DLAUFMAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PINS PTER CASC PGOV NP
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON NEPAL'S MAOIST INSURGENCY, May 3-9

SUMMARY
-------

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 KATHMANDU 000858

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SA/INS AND DS/IP/NEA
STATE ALSO PLEASE PASS USAID/DCHA/OFDA
STATE ALSO PLEASE PASS PEACE CORPS HQ
USAID FOR ANE/AA GORDON WEST AND JIM BEVER
MANILA FOR USAID/DCHA/OFDA
LONDON FOR POL/RIEDEL
TREASURY FOR GENERAL COUNSEL/DAUFHAUSER AND DAS JZARATE
TREASURY ALSO FOR OFAC/RNEWCOMB AND TASK FORCE ON TERRORIST
FINANCING
JUSTICE FOR OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL/DLAUFMAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PINS PTER CASC PGOV NP
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON NEPAL'S MAOIST INSURGENCY, May 3-9

SUMMARY
--------------


1. The second round of peace talks between negotiators for
the Government of Nepal (GON) and Maoists is being held on
May 9. Envoys from China and the United Kingdom expressed
support and assistance for the peace process. Maoist
leaders have sharply criticized USG for listing their party
on a terrorist watch list. The Royal Nepal Army (RNA)
warned the Maoists that they would face severe consequences
if they withdraw from the peace talks. The Home Ministry
reportedly has taken steps to withdraw cases against Maoist
detainees. Maoist insurgents continued to violate the
ceasefire by abducting five civilians, severely beating two
others, attempting to extort money, and disrupting
humanitarian assistance programs. The All Nepal National
Independent Students' Union-Revolutionary (ANNISU-R) has
threatened action against private schools that do not reduce
tuition fees. End summary.

SECOND ROUND OF TALKS SCHEDULED
--------------


2. Negotiators representing the GON and the Maoists meet on
May 9 for the second round of peace talks. Krishna Bahadur
Mahara, Maoist spokesman and team member, said the Maoists
do not have a new agenda, but are hopeful that the GON will
respond to the demands put forth in the first round of
talks. These demands include a round-table conference,
Maoist leadership in a new interim government, constituent
assembly, withdrawal of cases against Maoist cadres, and
demobilization of armed forces. Narayan Singh Pun, Minister
of Physical Planning and Works and government negotiator,
told reporters on May 6 that details of the GON's agenda
would emerge on the day of the talks.

SUPPORT FOR PEACE TALKS
--------------


3. Keith Bloomfield, Ambassador of the United Kingdom (UK)
to Nepal, said the UK is ready to facilitate peace talks and
assist in maintaining security in Nepal. Speaking at a

program on May 6, Bloomfield said the UK favored a
constitutional monarchy and respect for human rights.


4. Wu Congyong, the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, also
voiced support for the peace talks at a May 8 interaction on
China's foreign policy. Congyong said that China would not
interfere with Nepal's "internal affairs," and said he was
confident in the ability of the Nepali people to solve the
current crisis. Congyong said maintaining peace and
stability would be beneficial to Nepal's economy and
development.

MAOIST LEADERS BLAST U.S. FOR TERRORIST LABEL
--------------


5. Maoist leaders have condemned the listing of their party
on a terrorist watch list in the annual "Patterns of Global
Terrorism" report, released on April 30 by the Secretary of
State and the Coordinator for Counter-Terrorism. In a
press release issued on May 7 Prachanda, Maoist supreme
leader, said the U.S. was trying to disrupt the peace talks
and interfering with Nepal's internal affairs. He said the
U.S. was attempting to hatch a conspiracy against the talks,
and lashed out at the "repeated verbal attacks" on the
Maoists by the U.S. Ambassador to Nepal. The Maoist
Chairman also accused the U.S. of trying to further its own
interests in Nepal in order to extend its influence over all
of South Asia.


6. Baburam Bhattarai, chief negotiator of the Maoist
negotiating team, also criticized the Maoists' placement on
the terrorist watch list. On May 7 Bhattarai reportedly
said the action would have serious and far-reaching effects
on Nepal. He surmised that the peace talks were being
"hijacked by foreign capitals," and warned that such actions
would turn Nepal into a battlefield. In a separate
interview on May 8 with a vernacular newspaper, Bhattarai
continued his attacks on the U.S., saying America was "a
dangerous force and hurdle in the talks." The Maoist
ideologue, echoing Prachanda, also accused the U.S.
Ambassador to Nepal of making threats against Nepal.
Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Maoist spokesman and talk team
member, urged the U.S. to revoke the decision.


7. Keith Bloomfield, Ambassador of the United Kingdom (UK)
to Nepal, told the local press that his government has not
labeled the Maoists as terrorists because their activities
do not substantially threaten the UK. (Note: It is
interesting to note that Prachanda's brother reportedly is
studying at the University of Riding in London).

RNA WARNS MAOISTS
--------------


8. The Royal Nepal Army (RNA) reportedly warned the Maoists
on May 6 that they would pay "a big price" if they withdrew
from peace talks. A vernacular publication said the RNA
claimed that it is now equipped with better, more modern
weapons, and had received additional training. Bhattarai
dismissed the boasts and said any weapons the RNA obtained
from the U.S. would soon be stolen by the Maoists.


9. Madhav Nepal, General Secretary of the Communist Party
of Nepal-United Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) accused both the
GON and the Maoists of storing weapons and preparing for
war. Nepal, addressing a CPN-UML convention on May 6, said
both sides were trying to amass military strength while his
party was cooperating with the peace process. CPN-UML is
one of five political parties which launched a "peoples'
movement" against the King, and which Nepal claims is aimed
at strengthening the peace process.

WITHDRAWAL OF MAOIST CASES POSSIBLE
--------------


10. A vernacular publication quoted an anonymous source at
the Home Ministry as saying that efforts were being made to
withdraw cases against Maoist cadres. According to the
source, all District Administration Offices (DAO) have been
instructed to supply data relating to Maoist detainees.
After all of the data is received, the cases will be
reviewed for possible withdrawal of charges. Mahara
criticized the GON for delaying the release of Maoist
cadres, and said he would take the matter up again at
Friday's round of peace talks. The official at the Home
Ministry cautioned that even if the recommendations are made
to withdraw the cases, it is up to the individual courts to
follow through.


11. Thirteen Maoist cadres were released this week from
jails in the districts of Terhathum, Makwanpur, Taplejung
and Lamjung.

MAOIST CRIMES CONTINUE
--------------


12. Maoist insurgents continued to violate the ceasefire,
abducting two Village Development Committee (VDC) members in
the districts of Dailekh and Makwanpur. Three journalists,
including two women, were also abducted in the far western
district of Kalikot on May 7. The journalists, who were on
a reporting assignment, managed to escape. Insurgents in
the eastern Terai district of Rauthat severely beat two
civilians who could not provide monetary donations to the
Maoists, and also beat three people, including a Communist
Party of Nepal-United Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) worker,
after they protested the destruction of a house by the
insurgents. Five civilians who reportedly were abducted
from Taplejung District several weeks ago have allegedly
been severely bludgeoned by their Maoist captors. Relatives
are pleading for their release. Family members of a former
VDC Chief abducted a week ago are also appealing to the
Maoists for his release, and have sought help from local
human rights organizations.


13. Maoists in the mid-western hill district of Dailekh
have forced local villagers to abandon traditional festivals
and celebrations, including song and dance, and ordered them
to mark the February 13 launch date of the "People's War."
The insurgents, who control the majority of the district,
have forced villagers to observe Maoist festivals and
abandon other practices. The Maoists said the new culture
eliminates the practice of "untouchability."


14. The Maoist insurgency has forced the Rautes, an
indigenous ethnic community in the far-western district of
Dadeldhura, to flee to the jungle. The families claim that
Maoists tortured them in the day while security forces
harassed them at night. They remain in the jungle, doubtful
of the success of the peace talks.


15. Villagers in the mid-western Rolpa District, however,
have defied the Maoists in order to attend Government-
sponsored health camps. Insurgents in the district had
ordered the locals not to attend the camps, and asked the
team of medics, consisting of army and police personnel, to
leave, accusing them of violating the ceasefire. The
insurgents, who have a stronghold on the region, said they
wanted the areas to remain "enemy free." Maoist cadres also
tried to disrupt similar health camps in Salyan and Dang
Districts by limiting water supplies to the medics, and
attempting to stop people from seeking treatment.

ANNISU-R THREATENS SCHOOLS
--------------


16. The All Nepal National Independent Students' Union-
Revolutionary (ANNISU-R),the Maoist affiliated student
group, has threatened protests against private schools that
do not reduce their tuition rates. Kabi Gautam, Secretary
of ANNISU-R, said that the action is being taken at the
request of parents, and because the private schools are
cheating students and parents. Lhundub Dorji Lama,
President of National Private and Boarding Schools
Association Nepal (PABSON),warned that the schools would
defy the protests, declaring that it was impossible to
conduct classes with the constant interference by student
organizations.

MALINOWSKI