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 -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶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. -------------- "EARS OPEN" TO POSSIBILITIES FOR PEACE -------------- ¶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. -------------- HUMAN RIGHTS -------------- ¶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. -------------- PROSPECTS FOR RECONCILIATON -------------- ¶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. -------------- STATUS OF WOMEN -------------- ¶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