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) -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶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. -------------- Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) Facility -------------- ¶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. -------------- Maoists Internees -------------- ¶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." -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶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