CPN-UML LEADER MK NEPAL WAITING FOR KING TO ACT

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 001019 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/INS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/21/2016 TAGS: PGOV PTER NP SUBJECT: CPN-UML LEADER MK NEPAL WAITING FOR KING TO ACT Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty, Reasons, 1.4 (b/d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) In an April 21 meeting with the Ambassador, the sixteenth day of the seven-party alliance's general strike/demonstrations and two days after he was released from detention, CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal seemed to be waiting for the King to act. The Ambassador emphasized the importance of the political parties being able to agree quickly on a way ahead should the King announce he was ready to transfer power. MK Nepal noted his party was considering several ways ahead, including constituent assembly elections and a democratic republic, but was prepared to accept the reinstatement of parliament should other alliance members insist on that path. He agreed with the Ambassador that the first step of a new government should be to call for a cease-fire, explaining that he did not fully trust the Maoists. MK Nepal said he had talked with security force chiefs urging them to use restraint and be flexible during the demonstrations. End Summary. Ambassador Urges Parties to Agree Quickly on Way Forward -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) The Ambassador told just-released UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal, Amrit Bohara (acting General SIPDIS Secretary since January),and UML central committee member SIPDIS Bharat Mohan Adhikari that the U.S., India and some Nepalese interlocutors had all stressed to the King that he had no choice but to turn over power quickly to the political parties. The Ambassador emphasized the hope that the political parties would speedily agree on a way forward if the King announced he was ready to transfer power. He suggested that the political parties develop a plan to return to democracy, restart the economy and address the insurgency. He assured the UML leaders that the international community would want to support a party-based government to the extent possible. He encouraged the leaders to consider how to handle the Maoists and recommended the new government call for talks and a cease-fire. Waiting For The King To Consult The Parties -------------- ¶3. (C) MK Nepal agreed that time was running out. He lamented that the King had not yet approached any of the leaders of the seven-party alliance. He explained that if there were to be a transfer of power, the King first needed to initiate a round of talks and consultations. MK Nepal worried that the King continued to try to manipulate the parties; MK Nepal also expressed concern about Maoist manipulation of the situation. If the King decided to turn over power, the seven party alliance would need time to discuss the way ahead, he said. Would Agree to Reinstatement of Parliament as Way Ahead -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) MK Nepal stated that his party had been thinking about how to move ahead, but knew it had to calculate the situation carefully. He commented that the institution of monarchy would still be accepted by the people of Nepal, but he believed it should be a "limited," or "nominal" monarchy. He added that the King needed the confidence of the political parties, who could give him one last chance. MK Nepal later said that his party still supported a democratic republic, i.e. without a King, but would agree to both the reinstatement of parliament and retention of a ceremonial monarchy if the seven-party alliance insisted. The UML did not want to create any "embarrassment," even though it might prefer to pursue elections to a constitutional assembly, the Maoists' preferred path. UML Urges Security Forces to Be Flexible -------------- ¶5. (C) MK Nepal said that on April 20 he had told Chief of Army Staff Thapa and Police Chief Thapa that the security forces needed to be flexible. He urged them to stop the killings, and have the security forces bend a little. If the security forces stepped back a few steps from the demonstrators, the people would view it as a victory and would not need to march to the King's Palace. Parties "Riding A Tiger" -------------- ¶6. (C) The UML leader insisted that the King should "respect the people's sentiment" and acknowledge the on-going movement. He asserted that the parties remained in control of the on-going demonstrations, but added "We're riding a tiger, we have to respect the people's sentiment and voice, or they'll eat us." UML Has A Plan To Address the Maoists -------------- ¶7. (C) MK Nepal acknowledged some Maoist participation in the protests, but downplayed their role. He stated that the seven parties could not "fully trust" the Maoists. The UML leader said that the first work of a new government would be to announce a joint cease-fire, or, if that were not possible, unilateral cease-fires. The second step would be to remove the terrorist tag from the Maoists. Then, the government should release some Maoists, as a gesture, although he admitted it would not be able to release hard-core Maoists. He feared the Maoists might try to create another attack or insurgency, so there would need to be some international role. The final step would be to call a roundtable conference to discuss the constitution and restructuring of state. MK Nepal noted the international community had an important role to play to monitor the militants and their arms; he also hoped international experts could help with the constitutional questions and restructuring of the state. In response to the Ambassador's question of what would happen if the Maoists did not respond to the call for a cease-fire, MK Nepal stated that the Parties and the Maoists "would break-up." Comment -------------- ¶8. (C) MK Nepal seemed ready to agree to a settlement if the King reached out. Although he acknowledged the Maoists might try to prevent the political parties coming to power, he seemed to think the Parties and the international community acting together could manage the Maoists. MORIARTY