WEEKLY NEPAL MEDIA REPORT FROM JULY 7 TO 12,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 001304

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC PGOV PREL KMDR NP
SUBJECT: WEEKLY NEPAL MEDIA REPORT FROM JULY 7 TO 12,
2004

STATE FOR NP, AC, PM
STATE FOR IN/R/MR
STATE FOR SA/INS, PM/CBM, PM/PRO
STATE FOR SA/PPD


1. POLITICAL AFFAIRS

-- Govt. ready to talk to Maoists: Prime Minister Sher
Bahadur Deuba has said that the government was ready to
talk with the Maoists on any political agenda with
maximum flexibility except on constitutional monarchy
and multi-party democracy. (Media reports, 7/12)

-- Mohsin's comment draws flak from NC (D),UML:
Information and Communication Minister Dr. Mohammad
Mohsin's expression that the government should not
adopt "maximum flexibility" has drawn flak from
partners in the government. "What does maximum
flexibility mean? To what extent will this flexibility
work," Dr. Mohsin had said. (Major media reports, 7/11)

-- Ministers move to "safe" quarters: Security
officials, fearing security threats, have forced newly
appointed ministers to move to official resident
quarters. 13 of 17 new ministers and 3 state ministers
have already moved in to the Pulchowk Ministers
quarters. (The Kathmandu Post, 7/9)

-- Govt. exercise for talks: The government is doing
its homework to begin talks with the Maoists.
According to sources, human rights activist and
mediator during earlier two rounds of talks Padma Ratna
Tuladhar has gone outside the capital to hold talks
with the Maoists. Deputy Prime Minister Bharat Mohan
Adhikari has already said that the government was ready
to discuss everything, including constituent assembly,
with the Maoists. (Vernacular weeklies, 7/8)


2. MAOIST INSURGENCY

-- Maoists preparing for ceasefire: "Even though the
Maoists are not happy with the new alliance of
political parties in the government, they are positive
about ceasefire and talks". According to sources, the
Maoists are preparing for a ceasefire within a week.
However, the rebel sources say that the talks will not
be held immediately..." (Bimarsha, V/W, 7/9)

-- Maoists link ceasefire to constituent assembly: The
Maoists would be ready for a new ceasefire if the
government meets their key demand of a constituent
assembly to rewrite the constitution, a senior Maoist
leader has said. "We are ready to announce a ceasefire
and hold dialogue with the present government only if
it is ready for constituent assembly elections under
the aegis of the United Nations,"Bam Dev Chhetri, a
senior member of the Maoist Central Committee has said.
(The Himalayan Times, 7/8)
. -- Maoist mindset: The central level leadership of the
CPN-Maoist is divided over the strategy the party
should take in the changed context. While the
political leadership does not want to hold talks, the
military leadership wants to go for ceasefire and hold
talks. They want ceasefire because the party had
benefited during the last two ceasefires in terms of
increasing the militia power, etc. The Maoist
leadership is also scared that America would enter
Nepal when Deuba is in power. The military leadership
believes that they should launch a massive attack
before any negotiations so as to strengthen their
bargaining power". (Yugpatra, V/W, 7/8)

-- Ward chairman, DSP shot dead in capital: Maoists
shot dead two people in Kathmandu Tuesday morning. The
killed are Deputy Superintendent of Police Uttam
Bahadur Karki and nominated ward chairman Mahesh Man
Shrestha of ward-number 12. (Major reports, 7/7)

-- 11 securitymen, 19 rebels killed in clashes: Eleven
security personnel and an equal number of rebels were

killed in clashes at Gangate area of Kalimati Kalche
VDC in Salyan district Monday night. (Major reports,
7/7)


3. OTHERS

-- Rain causes havoc: At least 46 people have died, one
thousand rendered homeless and several are reported
missing in fresh flash floods and landslides in several
districts across the country following the weeklong
incessant rains. (Major reports, 7/9-12)

-- Mukharjee new Indian envoy: Indian government has
appointed Shiva Shankar Mukharjee as the new ambassador
to Nepal. Mukharhjee is serving as the present Indian
High Commissioner for South Africa. (Media reports,
7/9)

-- AI appeals China to stop execution of Nepalese:
Amnesty International (AI) on Wednesday appealed the
Chinese authorities to hold back their decision of
imminent death penalty to two Nepalese who were charged
of drugs smuggling. (Media reports, 7/9)
-- Leaders barred entry into palace: A host of
dignitaries were denied attending the king's 58th
birthday reception inside the Royal Palace for failing
to follow the proper dress code. CPN-UML General
Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal and former speaker Daman

SIPDIS
Nath Dhungana were denied entry for not being attired
in black coat while a minister had to return from the
palace gate as he was not wearing a black cap. (The
Kathmandu Post, 7/8)

-- U.S. Ambassador in Kathmandu: U.S. Ambassador
designate to Nepal James Francis Moriarty arrived in
Kathmandu on Monday to assume his assignment, according
to a statement from the American Center. Moriarty most
recently served as Special Assistant to the President
and Senior Director for Asian Affairs at the National
Security Council. Ambassador Moriarty will commence
his official business after presenting his credentials
to the King. (Major dailies, 7/7)

MORIARTY