SARAN: NEPAL'S KING PROMISES OUTREACH TO PARTIES

C O N F I D E N T I A L NEW DELHI 009484 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/15/2015 TAGS: PREL PTER MASS IN NP SUBJECT: SARAN: NEPAL'S KING PROMISES OUTREACH TO PARTIES REF: KATHMANDU 2793 Classified By: Ambassador David C. Mulford for Reasons 1.4 (B, D) ¶1. (C) Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran told the Ambassador on December 15 that Nepal's King Gyanendra committed to "some initiative with the political parties" during his December 13 audience in Kathmandu. The monarch accepted Saran's argument that he was isolating himself and contributing to the polarization of the political situation, Saran continued, but requested that India "grant him time" to reach out to the parties in his own way and time. Saran told Gyanendra that India could wait, but the time line is now imposed by the progress of events in Nepal, not India's actions. ¶2. (C) The King "hinted" that he would soon appoint a Prime Minister, and "good people" in a cabinet with a mandate to engage in negotiations, conduct the local elections, and take steps to improve the economy. But Saran added "how serious he was, I don't know." In the meantime, the Foreign Secretary continued, the political parties are "fired up" and SIPDIS preparing for a big rally planned soon for Kathmandu. If they manage to sustain momentum from that rally, they could alter the political landscape in Nepal, Saran speculated. Responding to the Ambassador's question of how well the parties were able to act together, Saran said that so far they appear ready to cooperate. In separate interactions with MK Nepal of the CPN(UML) and GP Koirala of the NC, Saran replied, they appeared to be very clear that "we will advance together or hang together." ¶3. (C) Saran also told us that he met with COAS Gen. Pyar Jung Thapa, who remained "very disappointed" by India's continued refusal to transfer weapons to the RNA. However, Saran elaborated, Thapa expressed no sense of desperation. The RNA appears to have sufficient supplies of arms and ammunition, but still would prefer the political support that would come with a resumption of Indian military assistance. ¶4. (U) Visit New Delhi's Classified Website: (http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/sa/newdelhi/) MULFORD