MAOISTS TO JOIN IN PEACEFUL RALLY IN CAPITAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 001064 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/INS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/26/2016 TAGS: PGOV PTER NP SUBJECT: MAOISTS TO JOIN IN PEACEFUL RALLY IN CAPITAL REF: KATHMANDU 1063 Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (b,d). Parties Hold Peaceful Mass Rally in Center of Kathmandu -------------- -------------- ¶1. (C) On April 27, three days after the King announced the reinstatement of the Parliament, over ten thousand people took part in a peaceful "victory rally" organized by seven-party alliance leaders in the capital. Senior leaders of the seven-party alliance addressed the crowd, outlining the alliance's program expected to be endorsed by the reinstated Lower House of Parliament when it meets for the first time on April 28. Emboffs observed a festive mood of flag waving crowds of youths, women, professionals and government employees taking advantage of their day off (it is Nepali Mother's Day and all government and many private offices are closed). "Elections must be held for constituent assembly," crowds of cheering supporters chanted. Following the King's announcement on April 24, the government withdrew the ban on demonstrations within the Ring Road, allowing large demonstrations at the Ratna Park area for the first time in fifteen months. Police had blocked roads off and were diverting traffic around the rally area as people filled the surrounding streets. Parties set up loudspeakers on roads leading to the area, as the central area could not contain the crowds who came to hear the speeches. Emboff observed police sitting in the shade a few blocks from the main rallying area giving the demonstration a wide berth. Police with whom Emboff spoke shared the celebratory mood of the people, expressing the hope that security forces would have a much less confrontational role with citizens now that democracy had been restored. Maoists To Join Peaceful Rally in Capital -------------- ¶2. (C) On April 27, the Maoist aligned All Nepal National Independent Student's Union - Revolutionary (ANNISU-R) announced it would join youth wings of the seven-party alliance and other civil society groups on April 28 near Ratna Park, site of today's mass meeting, to peacefully urge the reinstated Parliament to call for elections to a constituent assembly. Minendra Rijal, NC (D) Spokesperson, told Emboff that anyone who wanted to protest nonviolently would be welcome to join those lobbying the new Parliament. He noted that many groups planned to support the Parties by rallying in the area in advance of the first session of the new Parliament. He said that the new government intended to withdraw the Interpol red notices that targeted top Maoist leaders. Having youth wing Maoist supporters demonstrate peacefully was "nothing to be concerned about." Comment -------------- ¶3. (C) There are high expectations for the reinstated Parliament. The Maoists have their toe in the door and will be seeking all opportunities to push their agenda. MORIARTY