NEPALI PARLIAMENT ENDORSES CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 001085 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/INS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/01/2016 TAGS: PGOV PTER NP SUBJECT: NEPALI PARLIAMENT ENDORSES CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY REF: A. KATHMANDU 1082 ¶B. KATHMANDU 1063 Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (b,d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (U) On April 30, the King swore in a frail G.P. Koirala as Nepal's new Prime Minister. Koirala subsequently addressed the House, calling on the Maoists to come for dialogue, and shun violence as early as possible. The House unanimously passed Koirala's motion (ref A) supporting a constituent assembly election. On May 1, seven-party alliance leaders were still meeting to discuss Cabinet appointments, with the goal of announcing the new Cabinet before the next sitting of Parliament, scheduled for May 2. End Summary. King Administers Oath of Office to New PM -------------- ¶2. (U) On the morning of April 30, King Gyanendra administered the oath of office to Nepali Congress President G.P. Koirala, officially naming him Nepal's Prime Minister in a televised ceremony. Koirala had been scheduled to take the oath on April 28, but had postponed the ceremony due to his ill health. Breaking tradition, after taking the oath from the King, Koirala did not take an oath from the King's Council (Rajparishad). The Parties have stated that they plan to disband the King's Council, because it had encouraged the King's autocratic rule. Prime Minister Urges Maoists to Come for Dialogue -------------- -------------- ¶3. (U) On the afternoon of April 30, a frail looking newly-sworn-in Prime Minister Koirala, after taking time to rest, addressed the Lower House of Representatives, calling on the Maoists to come for dialogue and shun violence as early as possible. "The House shall execute its responsibilities per the wishes of the people expressed during the people's movement, the seven-parties' roadmap, and the 12-point understanding with the Maoists," Koirala told the House. The Prime Minister also stated that his government would present its policy and programs to the House soon. First Motion of Parliament Endorses Constituent Assembly -------------- -------------- ¶4. (U) As the first business of the new government, the Prime Minster presented a motion supporting constituent assembly elections. When the House unanimously passed the motion after four hours of discussion in the chamber, members applauded for minutes. Before the vote, leaders of the seven party alliance addressed the House in support of the motion. MK Nepal, UML General Secretary, told the House that the seven parties were making "new history" by passing the constituent assembly motion. "I think this government is the interim of an interim government," Nepal said. He continued, "the principle job of this government is to go for constituent assembly elections." Surya Bahadur Thapa, former Prime Minister and current President of the Rastriya Janashakti Party, told the House that the constituent assembly was the "last alternative" to pull the country out of crisis. "Going for a constituent assembly is the need of the day and the appropriate political decision," Thapa stated. Pashupati Rana, Chairman of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, also expressed support for the constituent assembly. Party Leaders Discuss Future Role of Parliament -------------- -- ¶5. (U) Political party leaders also described other areas they hoped the Parliament would address in the coming days. MK Nepal commented that the government's other jobs were to bring the Maoists from the path of war to peace, and to restructure Nepali society and the state. He stated that "the Maoists should be included in an interim government after going for a constituent assembly is confirmed." However, he stressed the need for "international monitors" to ensure that the arms of both the Maoists and the government would be "well managed." Thapa noted that the government had to work on the King-Party conflict, the Maoist problem, and rights of minorities. Rana stated that his party would "extend unconditional cooperation in bringing the Maoists to the mainstream." Sher Bahadur Deuba, NC (D) President, commented that the House should change the phrase "His Majesty's Government of Nepal" to "Nepal Government." No Word On Cabinet -------------- ¶6. (C) The Prime Minister has yet to announce a new Cabinet. The delay is rumored to be due to the Nepali Congress (NC) Party using the appointments to pressure the Nepali Congress (Democratic) Party to reunify with the NC. Gopal Man Shrestha, NC (D) Vice President, told Emboff that seven-party alliance leaders were meeting at G.P. Koirala's residence on the morning of May 1 to discuss Cabinet appointments. Shrestha commented that it would probably be "a small Cabinet." He hoped that the Parties could come to agreement in time to announce a Cabinet late on May 1, or before Parliament reconvened on May 2, at 1400 local time. Shrestha remained optimistic that his Party would be well represented in the Cabinet. Comment -------------- ¶7. (C) Some fighting for Cabinet positions is to be expected. That said, such behavior by delaying the formation of a new government will encourage the public to doubt whether the Parties have changed their old ways, and take some of the luster off their victory. We will continue to urge the seven-parties to remain united and focused on addressing key issues. MORIARTY