UPDATE ON NEPAL'S MAOIST INSURGENCY, MARCH 13-19,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 KATHMANDU 000496 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/GURNEY 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 NSC FOR MILLARD SECDEF FOR OSD/ISA LILIENFELD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PINS PTER CASC PGOV NP PHUM SUBJECT: UPDATE ON NEPAL'S MAOIST INSURGENCY, MARCH 13-19, 2004 REFERENCE: (A) KATHMANDU 0437 (B) KATHMANDU 0465 SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. The Minister of Foreign Affairs defended the Government of Nepal's (GON) human rights record in Geneva, affirming that "we keep human rights uppermost in our mind." Maoist supremo Prachanda claims to be receptive to UN mediation, while the Prime Minister says it is not necessary. The Home Minister said that security in Nepal must be improved before elections can be held. Political party leaders are considering involving the Maoists in their movement against "regression." Four security personnel and eight Maoists were killed in clashes this week. The Maoist-imposed blockade of major roads has spread to sixteen districts in the western region. UN agencies and donors published statements reiterating their policy not to pay extortion demands. Maoists demanded the resignation of local officials and those involved in organizing the King's upcoming visit to Pokhara. A powerful Maoist-planted landmine in the far west left eleven civilians dead. A six- year-old child was killed and four other civilians seriously injured by Maoist bombs in separate incidents. Maoists reportedly took 56 students and teachers forcibly from schools in the far west, and are setting up training camps in the schools. Maoist surrenders have reached nearly 700 since the announcement of the GON's amnesty program. End Summary. GON COMMITTED TO HUMAN RIGHTS -------------- ¶2. Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Bekh Bahadur Thapa defended the GON's human rights record to the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva, affirming that "we keep human rights uppermost in our mind." Dr. Thapa, addressing the UN session on March 18, blamed Maoist threats and violence for the current instability in Nepal. He said the GON is "aware and committed" to respect human rights, but that violence, kidnapping, executions and the displacement of thousands of civilians have "seriously undermined" the efforts of the government. ¶3. Human rights organizations have consistently voiced concern that human rights abuses are increasing, alleging that violence, torture, abductions and illegal detentions continue to rise since the ceasefire ended in August 2003. Representatives accuse both sides of failing to follow international law, saying "Prachanda and the government do not listen to us." The Chief of the Royal Nepal Army (RNA) Human Rights Cell, however, said the army is committed to protecting individuals' rights, but criticized local organizations for not expressing concern when "our men lose their lives." PRACHANDA CLAIMS TO WELCOME UN MEDIATION -------------- ¶4. Maoist supremo Prachanda issued a statement on March 17 claiming that he was receptive to UN mediation, one day after Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa ruled out foreign intervention on the grounds it would "create further problems." Prachanda accused the Government of Nepal (GON) of not being ready to sit for dialogue, but of continuing "military totalitarianism." Prachanda also claimed that his party is "totally committed to the Geneva Convention and other international conventions on human rights," despite reports of countless atrocities committed by Maoist cadres daily. He did, however, defiantly invite human rights organizations to come to the field to assess human rights violations "by the state." He also reiterated his party's demand for a constituent assembly, although he acknowledged that demand "ruined the talks." ¶5. The European Union (EU) reportedly is trying to bring both sides back to the negotiating table. EU officials reportedly met with government officials, security chiefs, and senior Maoists last week in an effort to resume a peace dialogue. SECURITY FIRST; ELECTIONS LATER -------------- ¶6. Home Minister Kamal Thapa told reporters on March 18 that security in the country needs to be improved before elections can be held. Thapa said the GON would announce a date for elections soon, and that it is "willing to hand over power" as soon as possible. The Home Minister also said that the GON "is always ready" for talks with the Maoists, but the rebels are not "creating a conducive environment" for talks. He dismissed Prachanda's professed acceptance of UN mediation, declaring there was "no need" for a third party for mediation. POLITICAL PARTIES PONDER MAOIST INVOLVEMENT -------------- ¶7. Representatives of Nepal's main political parties (Nepali Congress (NC),Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML),Peoples' Front Nepal (PFN), Nepal Workers and Peasants Party (NWPP),and Nepal Sadbhavana Party) met on March 13 to discuss the next phase of their "movement against regression." PFN leader Lila Mani Pokharel said they discussed the possibility of including the Maoists in their movement, and agreed to "initiate discussion" with the rebels. NC spokesman Arjun Narsingh KC, however, said the Maoists would not be included unless they renounced violence. AMBUSHES KILL FOUR -------------- ¶8. Three policemen and one Royal Nepal Army (RNA) soldier were killed in separate Maoist ambushes: in Banke District a RNA soldier was killed on March 16; a policeman was gunned down in his traffic office in Panchthar District, in the far eastern region, on March 15; and two policemen died from a Maoist-planted landmine in Chitwan. ¶9. Eight Maoists reportedly were killed during security operations: two in the western district of Dang and two in the central district of Dhading on March 19; two in the western district of Bardiya on March 15; and two in the western districts of Achham and Jhapa on March 13. ¶10. On March 16, a powerful Maoist-planted landmine in the far-western district of Kanchanpar tore through a vehicle carrying staff from the Royal Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve and several civilians, leaving eleven dead and four injured. According to security officials parts of the vehicle were scattered up to 500 meters away. On March 18, a ten-year-old child in the western district of Salyan was seriously injured from a bomb left by Maoists. Three other civilians also were seriously injured from Maoist landmines in the far-western district of Achham on March 13. On March 15, a six-year-old girl was killed when her brother mistook a bomb for a toy and it exploded. ¶11. On March 3, a vernacular newspaper reported that the RNA had received a report suggesting that the Maoists were facing difficulties due to cadres quitting and malfunctioning weapons. The report also stated that lack of trained Maoist cadres was contributing to the failure of planned attacks. MAOIST BLOCKADE CONTINUES -------------- ¶12. The Maoist-imposed blockade of major roads has spread to sixteen districts in the western region (Ref A) and continues to wreak economic havoc and endanger health care. On March 14, Maoists bombed the transportation office in Pokhara, and Maoists in the western district of Salyan reportedly seized the only ambulance in that region, denying emergency service to people in the area. The rebels planned to keep it until the blockade ended, but RNA personnel retrieved it. Throughout sixteen districts in the west, main highways also remain closed, some passenger buses have stopped running, and over 250 trucks reportedly are stranded at the India-Nepal border. Supplies of food and commodities have been unable to reach their destinations, and due to the blockade, petroleum dealers said the Kathmandu Valley is experiencing a shortage of petroleum, cooking gas and kerosene. The spokesperson of Nepal Oil Corporation denied any shortages, however, and said "everything is smooth." The Maoist-imposed blockades reportedly are intended to prevent the population in that region from traveling to meet the King during his scheduled visit to Pokhara later this month. Political leaders and civil organizations have appealed to the rebels to end the blockades. ¶13. In an effort to offset the Maoist blockades, the Royal Nepal Army (RNA) is providing escorts for trucks carrying essential commodities and for passenger buses. Speaking at a press meet on March 18, RNA spokesman Colonel Deepak Gurung said the RNA was "trying our best to normalize the situation," and that security forces had escorted hundreds of vehicles. In defiance of the blockade, over 50 buses from Pokhara resumed their services on March 17 to different parts of Nepal. Maoists had torched a passenger bus in Pokhara on the previous day. The GON, in a move to encourage the transportation industry and delivery of goods, had announced compensation for any public service vehicle damaged during the blockade. MAOIST EXTORTION JEOPARDIZING UN PROJECTS -------------- ¶14. On March 17, the local press quoted a UN source as saying "some projects will be closed soon" if Maoist threats do not stop. In a public attempt to pressure the Maoists to stop their extortion demands, the UN agencies and donor groups have placed statements in both vernacular and English language newspapers reiterating their policy not to pay extortion demands, and warning that continued threats could place the future of some programs in jeopardy. A UN official admitted that project offices have received letters "from underground rebels demanding monetary assistance." No official public comment has been given on what programs would be suspended or in which regions of Nepal. ¶15. A weekly vernacular newspaper reported on March 10 that Maoists in the eastern district of Siraha have demanded that Save The Children (US) close its office (Ref B). A notice signed by the Maoist district secretary demands that the NGO and all other American programs leave the district. Declaring it their "last warning," the rebels said they must expel the organizations to "finish off the American spies working in social organizations." AMCIT VEHICLE TORCHED -------------- ¶16. Post received a report that earlier this week two American doctors traveling by road with their Nepalese colleagues in the northeastern district of Dolakha were stopped by armed Maoists who "politely" asked them to step out of the car. The Maoists subsequently torched the vehicle. The individuals are affiliated with an American university which does medical research with tapeworms. ¶16. In a separate incident, a group of French trekkers were approached by Maoists in Syangja District and given permission to proceed after a member of the so-called Maoist District Government reportedly told them "We do not restrict any foreign tourists visiting Nepal except Americans." MAOISTS FORCE RESIGNATIONS -------------- ¶17. According to a statement released on March 12, Maoists in Kaski District have demanded the resignations of all personnel involved in organizing the civic reception for the King's visit to Pokhara on March 28. The rebels warned the people if they fail to comply, they will be expelled from the country and have their property confiscated. ¶18. On March 16, the local press reported that 44 employees in Chitwan District resigned due to Maoist threats. Insurgents in that district reportedly confronted the employees the previous day and demanded their resignations. The staff said they were threatened with "dire consequences" if they did not comply. ROUND UP OF STUDENTS AND TEACHERS CONTINUE -------------- ¶19. Maoists reportedly kidnapped 56 students and teachers from schools in the far-western district of Dadeldhura on March 13. It is believed the rebels are taking them for participation in Maoist programs and indoctrination. In nearby Darchula District, bordering India, 50 percent of the schools have shut down due to forced conscription into Maoist programs, continued extortion demands, and use of students as porters. Locals also said the rebels are converting the schools into Maoist training centers. MAOISTS SURRENDERS STEADY -------------- ¶20. At a March 18 press briefing RNA spokesman Colonel Deepak Gurung said 693 Maoist have surrendered since the announcement of the GON's amnesty program. Several have already been released from the rehabilitation center after completing training. MALINOWSKI