NEPAL: MAOIST LEADERS URGE PARTIES TO JOIN COMMON

UNCLAS KATHMANDU 000789 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR SA/INS, LONDON FOR POL/GURNEY, NSC FOR MILLARD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER PGOV CASC NP SUBJECT: NEPAL: MAOIST LEADERS URGE PARTIES TO JOIN COMMON CAUSE ¶1. (SBU) As political party protests continue for the third week in Kathmandu, Maoist leaders Baburam Bhattarai and Pushpa Kumar Dahal (alias Prachanda) issued a public statement on April 21 encouraging the parties to persevere and to join in common cause against Nepal's monarchy. They write, "it has become a historical need at this juncture for both the parliamentary and leftist revolutionary powers to carry out joint agitation..." The Maoists also urge Nepalese army and police personnel to "revolt and join the people." The Maoist leaders' only mention of foreign governments was to request international support for a "democratic republic" in Nepal and a political and financial embargo on the monarchy. ¶2. (SBU) Intended perhaps to support the political parties' agitation, the Maoist statement outlines their activities planned for the coming month. Between April 22 to May 1, the insurgents will launch a "Campaign for a Republic," including torch processions and burning effigies of the King. The following week features the "Nationwide People's Action" to protest against the monarchy. From May 10-17, the Maoists intend to impose a blockade of all government vehicles in district headquarters and the Kathmandu Valley, as well as to prevent the Government of Nepal (GON) from collecting taxes across all districts. The statement also declares a three-day nation-wide closure, or bandh, for May 18-20. ¶3. (SBU) Comment. This most recent Maoist statement echoes the last one issued by Prachanda on April 2, which had also supported the political party demonstrations -- then only in their second day. The major political leaders rejected the first Maoist offer and are unlikely to spend undue attention on the new statement since they have nothing to gain from sharing the spotlight now focused on party demonstrators. By publicly supporting the political parties, however, the Maoists may feed fears in the government that daily confrontations with demonstrators might drive the agitating parties into the arms of the Maoists. In fact, however, the parties know that the Maoists have no intention of cohabitating with other parties, except as a short-term tactic. The parties also are aware that Maoist agents provacateurs already are exploiting the street demonstrations by infiltrating them to raise levels of violence. The Maoists themselves likely are content to sit back and allow the political parties to expend their financial and human resources against the government and erode the King's prestige through their calls for a republic. Maoist talk of a "democratic republic" is clearly just that, however. End Comment. BOGGS