NEPAL: AMBASSADOR'S VISIT TO REHABILITATION CENTER

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 000487

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SA/INS
STATE PLEASE PASS TO USAID
LONDON FOR POL/GURNEY
NSC FOR MILLARD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/11/2014
TAGS: MCAP MOPS PHUM PREL NP
SUBJECT: NEPAL: AMBASSADOR'S VISIT TO REHABILITATION CENTER
FOR SURRENDERED MAOISTS

REF: A. A. 03 KATHMANDU 2475

B. B. 03 US DAO KATHMANDU IIR 6 867 002904

C. C. KATHMANDU 301

D. D. US DAO KATHMANDU IIR 6867 0045 04

Classified By: Ambassador Michael E. Malinowski for Reasons 1.5 (B,D)

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SUMMARY
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1. (C) On 2 March, Ambassador Malinowski and Defense Attache
visited by helicopter the Government of Nepal's (GON) newly
opened, pilot Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration
(DDR) facility located in Tanahu District (approximately 125
kms northwest of Kathmandu). The GON announced the creation
of this type of facility in December 2003 as part of its
amnesty offer to the Maoists who surrender to GON security
forces (Ref A). The facility currently holds 47 former
Maoists, but can accommodate approximately 500. Emboffs
spoke to interned Maoists, who claimed to be well treated,
but passed a letter to the Ambassador that requested U.S.
assistance in training and employment opportunities. Despite
visits by representatives from INGOs, like the International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC),international donors have
made no commitments for assistance. The already-strained
Royal Nepal Army (RNA) has been charged with providing
security and care for the internees. USAID is exploring
whether it can legally support the DDR program. A
USAID-Nepal team plans to visit the facility shortly to
assess the facilities' needs. END SUMMARY.

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Disarmament, Demobilization
and Reintegration (DDR) Facility
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2. (C) In December 2003, the Government of Nepal (GON)
announced the establishment of a Disarmament, Demobilization
and Reintegration (DDR) facility as part of its amnesty offer
to Maoists who surrendered to the GON's security forces (Ref
A). On March 2, Ambassador Malinowski and Defense Attache
visited GON's newly opened, pilot DDR facility located in
Tanahu District (approximately 125 kms northwest of
Kathmandu). The facility had been operational for one month
and presently holds 47 former Maoists (population includes
both surrendered and captured),of which 15 are females. Two
of the female internees are pregnant and receive medical care
for their condition. (Note: They are also permitted to live
with their husbands in the camp. End Note.)


3. (C) The facility is located off the main road in Tanahu
District in a 100-room, concrete compound formerly used by a
GON road construction crew, which can accommodate
approximately 500 residents. The facility, supposed to be
administered by GON civil servants, has electricity and
running water. There is a Royal Nepal Army (RNA) company
co-located with the DDR facility, which is charged with
providing security. Unfortunately, the civil service
administration is yet rather minimal, leaving the RNA to
provide military rations, clothing, reading materials and
monthly stipends to the internees. In addition, the RNA
makes arrangements for a meditation specialist and a Hindu
priest to visit the residents on a regular basis. RNA
officials indicate that it costs the Army approximately NRs.
7000 (equivalent to USD 95) a day to operate the DDR
facility. In addition to military rations, residents receive
approximately three dollars every month for sundries, access
to the telephone and a common room with a television. The
RNA has not been reimbursed for its unbudgeted expectations.


4. (C) Despite visits from INGOs, like the International
Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC),to date there has been no
international donor commitment in the form of financial
support or vocational training. On the other hand, the GON
has not made a formal request for donor support and has not
briefed other members of the donor community on its plans and
needs. A USAID team plans to visit the facility shortly to
assess the needs of the DDR facility, perhaps in conjunction
with representatives from UNDP.

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Maoists Internees
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5. (U) During the visit, the residents of the DDR facility
passed a letter to the Ambassador. The English translation
reads:

BEGIN TEXT:

--We have lots of problems, which we would like to pun (sic)
in a point-wise manner.

--We joined the so-called Peoples' War as we became the
victims of Maoists' ultra-leftist provocation. After seeing
their activities against humanity, and surrendering ourselves
to the Government, we have a continuous threat from the
Maoists, and therefore, the Government should guarantee
political, economic, social and physical protection to us.
The Government has not taken any initiatives so far, except
providing security. Therefore, keeping in mind our problems
we request you to arrange safe and reliable employment for us.

--There is no supply of goods of daily necessities in the
Rehabilitation Center.

--For those who want to stay outside the Rehabilitation
Center, we request you provide financial, physical and social
security to go abroad.

--We request your help to make our social and economic base
strong since we are all poor and our economic conditions is
so weak.

Signed Rehabilitated People of the Rehabilitation Center.

END TEXT.


6. (C) Out of 47 residents, the RNA considers twenty "former
hard-core Maoists," who have since their captivity denounced
the Maoist cause. During an interview with the Ambassador
and Defense Attache, one internee (late teens/early 20's),
reportedly from the Maoist Military Wing, claimed that he
fought against security forces during several battles. He
indicated during the interview that he surrendered because he
no longer "wanted to kill or be forced to work." One RNA
official stated he fears that if some type of vocational or
technical training program is not developed soon, the
youthful residents of the facility will become restless and
"cause problems."

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COMMENT
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8. (C) Although in its nascent stage, the Government's DDR
program appears to be a sincere effort to assist former
Maoists' rehabilitation and reintegration into mainstream
society. At the same time, however, the program seems to lack
a clear outline of the type of training program it needs or
any preparation to establish long-term employment
opportunities. Although the Home Ministry is nominally
responsible for rehabilitation centers, in reality a
reluctant RNA has filled the civilian government void--taking
on tasks normally that would and should be handled by its
civilian counterparts. However well-intentioned the program,
the GON has yet to do a broad outreach campaign targeting the
donor community on its longer-term vision. GON interlocutors
have requested USG support for the program.


9. (C) Comment Continued. USAID is consulting with its
legal advisors about the possibility of providing assistance
to the program. The Mission is exploring the possibility of
collaboration with the United Nations on the DDR program. In
addition, if USAID is to support the training aspect of the
DDR program, the GON must take steps to establish a more
pro-active civilian component to the program. A USAID-Nepal
team plans to visit the facility shortly to access its needs.
END COMMENT.
MALINOWSKI