NEPAL: CODEL DREIER MEETS FOREIGN MINISTER THAPA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 000682

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR SA/INS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KWMN NP
SUBJECT: NEPAL: CODEL DREIER MEETS FOREIGN MINISTER THAPA

REF: A. KATHMANDU 397


B. KATHMANDU 516

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SUMMARY
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1. (SBU) In a meeting with Foreign Minister Dr. Bekh
Bahadur Thapa on April 9, Codel Dreier discussed the ongoing
Maoist insurgency, the need for political reconciliation
between the Palace and the political parties, human rights
and efforts to improve the socio-economic status of women.
Thapa noted his government's appreciation for USG
counterinsurgency assistance and emphasized that the
Government of Nepal is keeping its "ears open" to possible
prospects for resumed negotiations with the Maoists.
Chairman Dreier expressed hope that Palace and the political
parties will resolve their differences soon so that elections
could proceed. End summary.

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"EARS OPEN" TO POSSIBILITIES FOR PEACE
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2. (SBU) On April 9 Chairman of the House Rules Committee
David Dreier (R-CA),accompanied by Representative Karen
McCarthy (D-MO) and Representative Grace Napolitano (D-CA),
met with Foreign Minister Dr. Bekh Bahadur Thapa. Chairman
Dreier opened the meeting by asking Thapa to discuss human
rights and the terrorist threat from Maoist insurgents
confronting Nepal. Noting the lead role the U.S. has played
in bringing an end to Communist oppression all over the
world, Chairman Dreier emphasized that the U.S. wants to help
assure peace and stability in Nepal.


3. (SBU) Thapa responded with warm thanks for the
counterinsurgency assistance the U.S. has provided Nepal.
Ambassador's Malinowski's contribution was key in this
regard, Thapa stated, adding he wanted to put on the record
that the Ambassador was "the right man in the right place at
the right time." Several months ago it appeared that the
Government of Nepal (GON) was gaining the edge on the
Maoists; however, large-scale attacks (Refs A and B) against
district headquarters last month have complicated the
picture. The Maoists used previous ceasefires to "re-arm,
re-equip, and refinance," he charged. Despite the Maoists'
insincerity in the past, "we can't abandon the road to peace
and are keeping our ears open for signals" from the
insurgents that they are prepared to re-enter negotiations.
Nepal's friends should realize, however, that issues related
to peace negotiations are "complicated," he cautioned.
Third-party pressure on the GON to hold talks that ignore
these complications might embolden the Maoists. Most
important, he stressed, the GON cannot agree to any formula
describing the GON, a constitutional state with a 250-year
history, as an equal party with Maoist terrorists.


4. (SBU) Nepal's bilateral relationship with India is also
"complicated," Thapa acknowledged. Nepali Maoists have their
roots in like-minded groups in India, and the unregulated,
1700-km border facilitates weapons smuggling. The Indian
government has increased its security assistance to the GON.
While the Indian government has arrested several high-ranking
Nepali Maoists, it ignores other Maoist leaders known to be
in India, he observed.

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HUMAN RIGHTS
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5. (SBU) GON security forces have committed some human
rights violations, Thapa admitted. The GON is looking
carefully at excesses that have been committed and taking
action when justified, he stressed. Where gaps are
identified, the GON is seeking training and assistance. He
criticized negative assessments of the GON by some human
rights groups as "partial" and "premature," charging that
some activists' sympathies align with the Maoists. While
acknowledging that the GON, as a legitimate state upholding
the rule of law, must satisfy higher human rights standards
than the Maoists, he cited the Maoists' use of such brutal
tactics as human shields and the security forces'
inexperience as mitigating factors.

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PROSPECTS FOR RECONCILIATON
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6. (SBU) Chairman Dreier noted that he had discussed the
political impasse with several party leaders the previous
evening and expressed hope that the stalemate between the
parties and the Palace would be resolved soon. He added that
he hoped to be able to speak with King Gyanendra upon his
return to the capital. Chairman Dreier welcomed Thapa's
previous statements on GON commitments to uphold the rule of
law, which is of paramount importance in a democracy.
Describing his recent visit to the EU in Brussels, Thapa said
he told his interlocutors that the GON wants to proceed with
elections, despite the security situation, reasoning that
"bad elections are better than no elections." That said, the
GON must do all that it can to ensure that the elections are
as free and fair as possible.

7. (SBU) Chairman Dreier welcomed the GON's commitment to
hold elections despite obvious difficulties. Democracy is a
work in progress, he said; as a system, it does not always
seem to work perfectly. Holding free and fair elections
should be part of the GON's plan to deal with the Maoists.
The U.S. wants to help the GON proceed with such an agenda,
he concluded.

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STATUS OF WOMEN
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8. (SBU) Representative McCarthy inquired how the GON is
addressing the issue of trafficking in persons. Trafficking
is a widespread problem and has been aggravated by the
insurgency, Thapa answered. The GON, assisted by donors, is
responding by trying to increase education and employment
opportunities for females. Representative Napolitano asked
about micro-finance opportunities, especially for women.
Gender awareness is an important part of GON policy, Thapa
replied, adding that the government has established a Women's
Commission to review the status of women.


9. (U) Codel Dreier has cleared this message.
MALINOWSKI