NEPAL: DAS CAMP MEETS WITH PRIME MINISTER AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 KATHMANDU 000866 SIPDIS DEPT FOR SA/INS, LONDON FOR POL/GURNEY, NSC FOR MILLARD E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/05/2014 TAGS: PGOV PTER PHUM PREF EINV NP SUBJECT: NEPAL: DAS CAMP MEETS WITH PRIME MINISTER AND FOREIGN MINISTER REF: A. KATHMANDU 591 ¶B. KATHMANDU 845 ¶C. 03 KATHMANDU 2501 Classified By: Charge d'Affairs Janet Bogue for Reasons 1.5 (b,d). ¶1. (C) Summary. In separate meetings with Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa and Foreign Minister (Dr.) Bekh Bahadur Thapa on May 5, Deputy Assistant Secretary for South Asia Donald Camp stressed the importance of human rights and the restoration of a democratic government to continued USG support to the Government of Nepal. DAS Camp was accompanied by CDA Bogue. Both ministers thanked DAS Camp for the USG's past support, especially during the 61st session of the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva, and reiterated their government's commitment to human rights and democracy. Agreeing with the need for a more representative government, FM Thapa asserted that the Cabinet is trying to facilitate dialogue between the King and political parties. PM Thapa emphasized several times that political pressure from India is critical to persuading the Maoists to return to negotiations. DAS Camp and the Foreign Minister also discussed the Bhutanese refugees, as well as the contractual dispute between Panda Energy and the Nepal Electricity Authority over the Bhote Koshi hydropower plant. End Summary. -------------- Human Rights: GON Committed, But Donor Pressure Too Public -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa opened the meeting by thanking Deputy Assistant Secretary for South Asia Donald Camp for participating in the Nepal Development Forum May 5-6. He expressed appreciation for USG development and security assistance, which he described as critical to his government's efforts to combat Maoist insurgents and improve the lives of its citizens. DAS Camp emphasized that the USG is committed to assisting the Government of Nepal (GON) in its struggle against the insurgency. That said, reports of human rights abuses by GON security forces and the ongoing conflict between the Palace and democratic political parties could undermine continued support for the GON in Congress, in the U.S. Government and among the American public, he warned. Citing the Prime Minister's March 26 statement on human rights (Ref A),he urged its timely implementation. The PM assured DAS Camp that the GON "is making all efforts to observe human rights at every level." ¶3. (SBU) Both the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister thanked the USG for its recent support of the GON during the 61st Session of the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva. Although the U.S., unlike other donors, had not made a public statement during the Nepal Development Forum on Nepal's human rights record, the U.S. and other donor countries' intentions are aligned, Camp explained to both the PM and FM. FM Thapa agreed that the message from all sides has been the same, whether conveyed privately or publicly. He complained, however, that recent pronouncements made by a group of donor countries (not including the U.S., India or China) sought to intervene inappropriately into Nepal's domestic affairs. ¶4. (C) FM Thapa admitted that the GON is faced with challenges on human rights. He characterized the institutional relationship between the civilian authorities and the Royal Nepal Army (RNA) as " inadequate and difficult." When the Ministry of Defense sends an inquiry to the army, the RNA usually responds with "we're too busy fighting the insurgency," he said. Second, Thapa opined that the "radical left" in Nepal is very well organized and is using human rights issues to embarrass the GON without offering constructive suggestions. Thapa noted that the GON had negotiated with the UN Commission on Human Rights a technical assistance package to bridge the legal and institutional gaps, but worried that UNCHR lacks the resources to provide the assistance without relying on bilateral sources, who bring their own biases to the table -- something the GON would prefer to avoid. -------------- Political Stalemate and Elections -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Since the tenure of the most recent Parliament has already expired, fresh national and local elections are the "only political solution" to the current impasse, the PM asserted. King Gyanendra has committed to holding elections within one year, and pre-poll planning and preparation are moving ahead. In an effort to resolve the stalemate, the King has met with the leaders of all major political parties except the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal - United Marxist Leninist (UML),Thapa reported, adding that he is confident that even these two hold-outs will agree to meet the King "soon." (King's comments to Camp and Charge provided septel.) ¶6. (C) FM Thapa, on the other hand, believed that a broad-based government must first be established, followed by return to dialogue with the Maoists and then elections. In order to facilitate a solution to the current political impasse, the Cabinet has decided to maintain a constructive dialogue with the political parties. FM Thapa explained that the May 3 arrest of party leaders (Ref B) was due to credible evidence that the Maoists were trying to infiltrate the protests in order to discredit the government and incite public opinion against the King. All party leaders were informed privately prior to the arrests, he claimed. FM Thapa pointed out that the GON has agreed to lift the ban on public gatherings in order to facilitate discussions between the King and political parties. However, the Cabinet would not agree to the parties' other demand that the ministers resign since this would "put the King in a difficult position." -------------- -------------- GON Open to Dialogue with Maoists, But Must Maintain Pressure -------------- -------------- ¶7. (C) The security forces have made significant advances against the Maoists, PM Thapa asserted, adding that he feels the Maoists are getting weaker. After the GON announced it would hold elections in the coming year, the Maoists attacked district headquarters in Bhojpur and Myagdi in an effort to pressure the GON, Thapa stated. The GON has kept the door open for negotiations, he said, but greater political and military pressure is likely needed before the Maoists agree to resume dialogue. He requested that the USG, along with other friendly nations, urge the Maoists "to move forward toward peace." Because many high-ranking Maoist leaders enjoy safe haven on Indian soil, Thapa said, Indian pressure is crucial to persuading the Maoists to negotiate. The GON has raised this with the Indian Government, which, he reported, has indicated "a positive mood" toward greater cooperation in this area. ¶8. (C) The Foreign Minister believed that, compared with one year ago, there is now broad recognition that the Maoists cannot win the war militarily. In case the insurgents are looking for an exit route, he said, the government is "keeping the door open." If requested by the Maoists, the Cabinet is willing to amend the constitution, but not without reserving the principles of multiparty democracy and constitutional monarchy. FM Thapa hinted that individuals in contact with the Maoists believe resumption of dialogue is possible, but do not know when. DAS Camp emphasized the importance of having a more representative government before negotiating with the Maoists. Thapa agreed, but blamed the insurgents for trying to exacerbate differences between the democratic forces. -------------- Bhutanese Refugees -------------- ¶9. (C) FM Thapa was discouraged that the Royal Government of Bhutan (RGOB) has refused to move forward on repatriation. In the agreement signed by the two governments at the last Joint Ministerial, he recalled, the RGOB agreed to repatriate all Category I and II refugees. Thapa complained of UNHCR Lubber's "stubbornness" on phasing-out assistance to the camps, adding that Nepal should not be penalized because of Bhutan's intransigence. Moreover, he continued, the refugees do not deserve such treatment. Thapa sent the GON report on the December incident (Ref C) to the RGOB on May 3. However, he indicated that Bhutan's Foreign Minister replied informally that the RGOB would continue to seek punishment for individual refugees involved in the violence. Thapa was not optimistic this could be accomplished due to the mob-like nature of the incident. He continued to express disappointment over the conditions of return offered by Bhutan since "it was much less than had been described earlier to me." ¶10. (C) In order to restart the process, Thapa said, the GON has agreed to further investigate the incident and has guaranteed full security to the RGOB. In the meantime, the GON has requested that the RGOB move forward with plans for repatriation. Thapa claimed that the RGOB has declined an offer by U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan to send a high-level mission to both Bhutan and the refugee camps to facilitate a solution. DAS Camp commented that the U.S. will continue to encourage the RGOB to seek resolution as soon as possible. Thapa was hopeful the Indian Government would increase its involvement since it now recognizes the security threat posed by a large, disaffected refugee population. -------------- Bhote Koshi Hydropower Plant -------------- ¶11. (SBU) DAS Camp noted ongoing difficulties in resolving Panda Energy's contractual dispute with the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) over compensation owed to the U.S. company for the Bhote Koshi hydropower plant. Camp noted that Panda is owed roughly USD 2.5 million in arrears (an amount increasing by USD 500,000 annually) and was concerned that this dispute would negatively impact Nepal's image with American investors. FM Thapa admitted he knew little about the dispute, but was willing to look into it. (Post subsequently gave FM Thapa a written summary of the issue.) ¶12. (U) DAS Camp cleared on this cable. BOGUE