VICE CHAIRMAN GIRI REPORTEDLY CRITICIZES PRESIDENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 002377

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SA/INS
NSC FOR RICHELSOPH

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/30/2015
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINS NP
SUBJECT: VICE CHAIRMAN GIRI REPORTEDLY CRITICIZES PRESIDENT
BUSH

Classified By: AMBASSADOR JAMES F. MORIARTY, REASONS 1.5 (B/D)


1. (U) Major English-language daily, the Himalayan Times,
on October 31 reported that Vice Chairman Giri, addressing a
"rally for peace" in Rautahat (Terai) said, "I am very
surprised why no one can touch the U.S. president while he is
the biggest human rights violator. This government will
never kneel before the U.S. president who is threatening to
give the tag of "Item Nine" to small countries like Nepal."
Nepal's other major daily, the Kathmandu Post, reported
Giri's speech without reference to any comments about the
U.S. president.


2. (C) The DCM spoke with the acting foreign secretary on
October 31 to request clarification of the reported remarks
about President Bush. She noted that, if correct, the
comments were inconsistent with the standards of relations
between two friendly countries. The acting foreign secretary
undertook to look into the matter, but noted that given the
foreign minister's return the same day and the impending
5-day Tihar holiday, he might not be able to provide a timely
response. He attempted to downplay the issue, stressing that
"the press is all over the place."


3. (C) Comment: Giri is known to be a loose cannon. We are
unlikely to get a definitive Foreign Ministry response given
Giri's clout but we have laid down a marker about
inadmissible rhetoric.
MORIARTY