POLITICAL PARTIES GET MESSAGE ABOUT DANGER OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 002418 SIPDIS DEPT FOR H, SA/INS AND SA/PPD E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/09/2015 TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER OPRC KMDR KPAO NP SUBJECT: POLITICAL PARTIES GET MESSAGE ABOUT DANGER OF ALLIANCE WITH MAOISTS REF: A. KATHMANDU 2400 ¶B. KATHMANDU 2390 Classified By: DCM Elisabeth I. Millard, Reason 1.4 (b/d) Parties Get U.S. Message -------------- ¶1. (C) The parties have clearly received our message warning of the dangers of a Maoist-Parties Alliance and have reiterated that they would not seek an alliance with the Maoists unless they lay down their arms (ref A). CPN-UML Acting General Secretary Bamdev Gautam, who had maintained the need for an alliance to overthrow "the autocratic monarchy," has done a 180 degree turn and recently issued a statement on behalf of CPN-UML that the party would not forge a pact with the Maoists unless they renounced violence. CPN-UML Central Committee member K.P. Oli, who is in New Delhi with General Secretary MK Nepal, told the Nepali press that any talks his party had with the Maoists would focus on bringing the Maoists into the political mainstream and on making sure that they gave up violence. Bhim Rawal, CPN-UML Central Committee Member, told Emboff that the timing and reach of the Ambassador's November 4 statement (ref B) was excellent. He explained that the Central Committee was now forced to thoroughly and openly discuss the issue of a possible understanding with the Maoists. Rawal noted that the public reaction had surprised Gautam, weakening his power within the party, and opening the way for more moderate voices. ¶2. (C) The Embassy estimates that ninety percent of the political party leaders quoted in the media have stressed that there would be no alliance unless the Maoists laid down their weapons and rejoined the political mainstream. RJP Chairman, and former Prime Minister, Surya Bahadur Thapa wrote the Ambassador to convey his appreciation for the Embassy's November 4 statement. He expressed confidence "that the statement will lead the concerned parties towards the right direction." Dr. Narayan Khadka, NC(D) Central Committee Member, also welcomed the Ambassador's statement. Khadka told the Ambassador that the statement had generated intense discussion within his party. He added that, while some of the more radical elements of the Parties viewed the Ambassador's comments negatively, others concerned about the implications of working with a terrorist group welcomed the Ambassador's views. Khadka questioned Maoist intentions, but remarked that unless the King showed a gesture of reconciliation it would be difficult for the parties to completely ignore the Maoists. Other Public Reaction -------------- ¶3. (SBU) While most of the public welcomed the USG message, the Ambassador received a letter from representatives of human rights organizations seeking moral support from the international community for a dialogue between the Parties and the Maoists. They stated that "full disarmament prior to dialogue ... is unrealistic and has not been a prerequisite in peace attempts made by the U.S. in other conflict zones." The November 8 English-language daily Kathmandu Post carried an op-ed by a freelance Nepali journalist currently studying in the U.S. The op-ed quoted Congressman James T. Walsh (R-N.Y.) and said that he had reiterated "the international community's position that the only way to resolve the crisis in Nepal is through a dialogue between the King and the parties. When asked where the Maoists fit into the picture, the Congressman said, 'Until they disavow violence, I am not sure if they fit at all.'" Ambassador's Interviews Underline King Must Act -------------- -- ¶4. (C) In interviews with the dominant English-language daily newspapers and one of the largest Nepali-language newspapers, the Ambassador followed up on the Embassy's November 4 warning about the dangers of a Parties-Maoist agreement with a reiteration of the critical importance of the King's reaching out to the political parties. Underlining the importance of addressing the Maoist insurgency simultaneously with returning to democracy, he stressed USG concern about Nepal's precarious situation. He also drew attention to Bamdev Gautam's contradictory stance, favoring on the one hand an alliance with the Maoists, while on the other noting that the Maoists had threatened to behead anyone running in the municipal elections scheduled for February 8. Comment -------------- ¶5. (C) It is clear that the Embassy's November 4 statement cautioning the Parties and the Ambassador's November 7 newspaper interviews have resonated among the Parties, the media and the public. Our message has spotlighted the need for caution by the Parties in their discussions with the Maoists and reminded all of the dangers of an alliance with insurgents who continue to use violence and terror. MORIARTY