MEA ON NEPAL: HUMAN RIGHTS IMPORTANT, BUT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 002635 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/06/2015 TAGS: PREL PHUM KDEM NP IN SUBJECT: MEA ON NEPAL: HUMAN RIGHTS IMPORTANT, BUT DEMOCRACY CRITICAL REF: A. KATHMANDU 731 ¶B. KATHMANDU 728 Classified By: A/DCM Geoff Pyatt. Reasons 1.4 (B, D) ¶1. (C) Summary: India's highest priority with respect to Nepal remains the full restoration of democracy, not one or two human rights improvements, MEA Joint Secretary (Nepal, Bhutan) Ranjit Rae told PolCouns and Poloff on April 7. Although "very uncomfortable" with a UNCHR Item Nine resolution, the GOI expects Nepal to agree to the basic framework provisions, but is concerned about too much international focus on human rights at the expense of democracy. His current assessment of the situation was that it was "intrinsically unchanged," although he considered the Maoists to have been emboldened psychologically. Following NC President GP Koirala's release, the GOI was waiting to see what steps the political parties take, but has not endorsed any particular formulation for reviving the political process. Rae reiterated New Delhi's eagerness to stay in touch with us on USG plans. End Summary. Stay Focused -------------- ¶2. (C) Rae began by noting that the MEA had recently responded to an EU demarche on the UNCHR by stating that India was concerned about human rights in Nepal, but not willing to let King Gyanendra "off the hook" on restoring democracy. While Rae expected Nepal to agree to the general provisions of a possible Item Nine resolution in Geneva, he was worried that the King would use his accommodation to "get the international community to back off without restoring democracy." The King should not get the impression that by meeting human rights demands he is "off the hook" on democracy issues, Rae argued, criticizing the EU approach as "piecemeal." The international community should be clear on its objectives, Rae asserted. No Signs of Change -------------- ¶3. (C) The J/S observed that the situation in Nepal was "intrinsically unchanged," although there are rumors that some advisers were urging the King to begin a dialogue with the political parties, and New Delhi continues getting messages from royal envoys who insist that the King recognizes the untenability of the current situation. Rae added, however, that this could be simply the result of pressure from the UNCHR meeting, rather than a real shift in thinking. Rae did not believe that the Maoists had gained any ground militarily, but politically they probably had. Although life in the Kathmandu valley seems normal, the blockades have been very successful in the rest of the country and tourism has dried up. The Maoists were thus psychologically emboldened. Rae also expressed concern that the GON was preoccupied with keeping Kathmandu "sanitized," and as a result has ignored the rest of the country. ¶4. (C) Rae described the Indian approach as encouraging meetings of the political parties, especially now that Koirala was free. New Delhi was not, however, suggesting any particular formula, such as the revival of Parliament. Rae told PolCouns that New Delhi has cautioned the parties against joining the Maoists, who are keen to unite, as that would afford the Maoists political importance. The GOI would like to see discussion result in a solution in which the King does not lose face, Rae noted. Curious about the current state of USG military training for the RNA, Rae explained that while the GOI had stopped most shorter courses, India's long-term military training programs, such as that at the Wellington Staff College, continued, as did intelligence cooperation, particularly with respect to border security. Not Worried About the Chinese -------------- ¶5. (C) It was the Indian understanding that the question of arms sales "never came up" during Chinese FM Li's visit to Kathmandu (ref B),Rae continued, adding that the GOI had discussed this issue with the PRC before the trip, but not had any exchange with the Chinese since then. Rae expected Nepal to be one of the topics of discussion during Prime Minister Wen's visit to India April 9-11 (septel). US and India On the Same Page -------------- ¶6. (C) PolCouns explained that the US opposes any UNCHR resolution that could have the effect of legitimizing the Maoists. Rather, we hoped to use the threat of an Item Nine resolution to put pressure on the King. Reinforcing that the US is not wavering from our position that the King must restore democracy, PolCouns highlighted the importance of the US and India remaining engaged on this issue. Rae agreed and emphasized New Delhi's eagerness to stay in touch with Washington regarding our long-term plans, including any contingencies if the King fails to move back towards democracy by the end of his supposed 100-day interregnum. MULFORD