Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KATHMANDU1006
2006-04-19 06:17:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kathmandu
Cable title:
MFA PROTESTS AMBASSADOR'S CNN INTERVIEW
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHKT #1006 1090617 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 190617Z APR 06 FM AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1168 INFO RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON IMMEDIATE 3888 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI IMMEDIATE 9601 RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO IMMEDIATE 4499 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA IMMEDIATE 9594 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING IMMEDIATE 4236 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD IMMEDIATE 2490 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO IMMEDIATE 0775 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 001006
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/INS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/19/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV CVIS NP
SUBJECT: MFA PROTESTS AMBASSADOR'S CNN INTERVIEW
Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty, Reasons, 1.4 (b/d).
Government Objects to Ambassador's mention of "Abdication"
--------------------------------------------- --------------
C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 001006
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/INS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/19/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV CVIS NP
SUBJECT: MFA PROTESTS AMBASSADOR'S CNN INTERVIEW
Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty, Reasons, 1.4 (b/d).
Government Objects to Ambassador's mention of "Abdication"
-------------- --------------
1. (C) On April 18, Acting Foreign Secretary Hari Bahadur
Thapa summoned the Ambassador and said that he had been asked
to "stage a strong protest" regarding the Ambassador's
statement in an April 17 CNN interview that the King might be
forced to abdicate if he did not transfer power quickly.
Thapa noted that the government found the reference to
abdication "objectionable." Thapa at the same time
emphasized the government's appreciation of the USG stand in
support of dialogue and reconciliation.
Ambassador Explains USG Views Situation As Serious
-------------- --------------
2. (C) In response to Thapa's query about what prompted him
to use this language, the Ambassador explained that the USG
feared that Nepal was on the brink of revolution; in such a
situation and absent any positive moves by the King to date,
the Ambassador felt compelled to point out that a Maoist
takeover forcing the King to abdicate was the worst possible
outcome. The Ambassador noted that during the CNN interview
he had called for immediate action by the King with the clear
recognition that the political parties must respond. The
Ambassador reminded Thapa that ultimately the King was in
charge and had to act positively. The Acting Foreign
Secretary expressed the government's wish that friends like
SIPDIS
the U.S. would "be more moderate." Commenting that he had
been moderate for fifteen months, the Ambassador apologized
if any offense had been taken, but stressed that his words
were meant to convey the seriousness of Nepal's situation.
He pointed out that as a result of the current situation, we
had authorized our staff and family members to depart post.
Noting also that we could not issue visas in Kathmandu, the
Ambassador informed the Foreign Secretary of our plans to
have Nepali applicants go to Embassy New Delhi for visa
services.
Comment
--------------
3. (C) Thapa's instructions presumably came from Foreign
Minister Pandey, who was in town but apparently chose not to
present the demarche himself. Thapa bent over backwards to
make it clear that the government of Nepal felt it had to
object, but did not want to offend the U.S.
MORIARTY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/INS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/19/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV CVIS NP
SUBJECT: MFA PROTESTS AMBASSADOR'S CNN INTERVIEW
Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty, Reasons, 1.4 (b/d).
Government Objects to Ambassador's mention of "Abdication"
-------------- --------------
1. (C) On April 18, Acting Foreign Secretary Hari Bahadur
Thapa summoned the Ambassador and said that he had been asked
to "stage a strong protest" regarding the Ambassador's
statement in an April 17 CNN interview that the King might be
forced to abdicate if he did not transfer power quickly.
Thapa noted that the government found the reference to
abdication "objectionable." Thapa at the same time
emphasized the government's appreciation of the USG stand in
support of dialogue and reconciliation.
Ambassador Explains USG Views Situation As Serious
-------------- --------------
2. (C) In response to Thapa's query about what prompted him
to use this language, the Ambassador explained that the USG
feared that Nepal was on the brink of revolution; in such a
situation and absent any positive moves by the King to date,
the Ambassador felt compelled to point out that a Maoist
takeover forcing the King to abdicate was the worst possible
outcome. The Ambassador noted that during the CNN interview
he had called for immediate action by the King with the clear
recognition that the political parties must respond. The
Ambassador reminded Thapa that ultimately the King was in
charge and had to act positively. The Acting Foreign
Secretary expressed the government's wish that friends like
SIPDIS
the U.S. would "be more moderate." Commenting that he had
been moderate for fifteen months, the Ambassador apologized
if any offense had been taken, but stressed that his words
were meant to convey the seriousness of Nepal's situation.
He pointed out that as a result of the current situation, we
had authorized our staff and family members to depart post.
Noting also that we could not issue visas in Kathmandu, the
Ambassador informed the Foreign Secretary of our plans to
have Nepali applicants go to Embassy New Delhi for visa
services.
Comment
--------------
3. (C) Thapa's instructions presumably came from Foreign
Minister Pandey, who was in town but apparently chose not to
present the demarche himself. Thapa bent over backwards to
make it clear that the government of Nepal felt it had to
object, but did not want to offend the U.S.
MORIARTY