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
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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