PM KOIRALA TO U.S.: WE WELCOME SUPPORT AND HELP

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 001190

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/09/2016
TAGS: PGOV EAID NP IN UK
SUBJECT: PM KOIRALA TO U.S.: WE WELCOME SUPPORT AND HELP

REF: KATHMANDU 1090

Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty, reasons 1.4 (b/d).

Summary
--------------


1. (C) PM Koirala thanked A/S Boucher and NSC Senior
Director Millard for U.S. support, and said more help would
be needed as Nepal tries to become peaceful and prosperous.
He agreed that the government needed to find a way to
institute a ceasefire that will hold, and to get the Maoists
to turn in their weapons. He said India could play a key
role here, and asked Boucher to impress this point on the
Indians in Delhi. Koirala said the current parliament
probably would amend the constitution to remove key articles
such as Article 127. A constituent assembly still would be
needed to give the people a constitution that the monarchy
could not overrule. A/S Boucher assured Koirala that the
U.S. would support Nepal, politically and economically. When
Boucher raised the issue of resuming military assistance,
Koirala said he thought it best not to discuss the issue
publicly for now. Boucher said we would wait to hear from
Nepal regarding its needs. End summary.

First Steps and Immediate Needs
--------------


2. (C) Prime Minister G.P. Koirala told visiting A/S Boucher,
NSC Senior Director Millard and the Ambassador that many
things had to be done right away in Nepal, such as beginning
a peace process with the Maoists and dealing with the issues
of Maoist weapons and rehabilitation. He said he would start
now to address these issues. Boucher assured Koirala that he
would have U.S. support as he moved ahead.


3. (C) Koirala said the government soon would reciprocate
the Maoist unilateral ceasefire. The government and Maoists
also would have to agree on a "code of conduct." Ceasefire
monitors, both from local civil society groups and the
international community, would be required. Koirala said he
expected that the government also would remove the "terrorist
tag" from the Maoists in the coming days.


4. (C) The Ambassador said that a code of conduct would be
important. A/S Boucher underscored that the Maoists needed
to give up their weapons first, before they received any
"rewards." Prime Minister Koirala agreed. Management of
Maoist weapons would have to be a key concern. He
anticipated that the first steps in the peace process would
be agreement on a code of conduct, then there would need to
be a dialogue with the Maoists on a ceasefire, next a
monitored ceasefire would have to be implemented.

Parliament and Constitutional Amendments
--------------


5. (C) A/S Boucher asked when constituent assembly elections
might take place. Koirala said it was hard to say. Much
would depend on how the discussions with the Maoists went.
There needed to be a negotiated settlement with the Maoists
first. Boucher asked if the current session of Parliament
planned to change the Constitution. Koirala said, "Yes." He
noted that changes in the Constitution would require a
two-thirds vote. He expected the Parliament would make
changes, such as removing Article 127 (the article under
which the King dismissed four governments) and other
"important provisions," rather than waiting for a constituent
assembly, but said that would be a decision for the new
government once it formed. (Note: The Prime Minister swore
in six ministers right after his meeting with Boucher.
Reftel)


6. (C) Koirala said the new parliament would sit until
elections were held for a Constitutional Assembly. He could
not say how long that would take. Boucher asked why there
needed to be a constituent assembly if the current parliament
could amend the constitution. Suresh Chalise, an advisor to
Koirala, said that the King had violated the current
constitution so amending it was not enough. A completely new
constitution was needed, one that came from the people rather
than the palace. Also, a constituent assembly would bring
all the people into the political process, something that
amending the constitution through parliament would not do.


7. (C) Koirala said that his party, Nepali Congress, was the
only one of the seven parties that was not Republican. They
would like a monarchy like the British, but not one that has
ultimate control over forming or dissolving governments.
Koirala said he was not sure how the ultimate question of the
monarchy would be determined. It might happen as part of the
constituent assembly process. Alternatively, there might be
a referendum. The government would need to decide.

U.S. Ready to Help
--------------


8. (C) A/S Boucher said that U.S. wanted to help the
political transition. We would help the parties, the
election commission, and the corruption commission (CIAA),
for example. On the economic side, we hoped to provide some
aid quickly, perhaps through the Red Cross and World Food
Program. People in Washington already were looking at ways
we could support the economy longer term. The U.S. also was
willing to help on the military side, something Boucher said
he had mentioned to Chief of Army Staff Thapa in an earlier
meeting (septel),but we would await a request from the
government. Boucher noted that Thapa had said that the army
wanted to work well with the new civilian government.


9. (C) Koirala thanked Boucher for the offer of support, but
added that "We should not be seen as talking about military
assistance now." He said training would be useful, as might
some non-lethal assistance. The army does need to know that
it would do well under a democracy, Koirala acknowledged.
Boucher reiterated that we would wait for a request from the
government. We can start slow and assist quietly, Boucher
said.

India's Role
--------------


10. (C) Koirala noted that Nepal also would be getting
assistance from the Indian government. Without Indian
support, Nepal's problems could not be solved. Boucher said
that the U.S. and India had worked closely together. He and
Ms. Millard would be visiting New Delhi May 3 to see Indian
officials again. Koirala asked to be kept informed of
U.S.-India discussions on Nepal. Boucher said Ambassador
Moriarty would be sure to do that.


11. (C) NSC Senior Director Millard told Koirala that
President Bush was very interested in what had happened in
Nepal. He was pleased that the parties had united to bring
about the return to democracy. Nepal had important work
ahead which we wanted to support. Koirala assured Millard
and Boucher that there were no real differences between the
seven parties. They will stay united to bring peace and
stability to Nepal, he said. A/S Boucher underscored that
political party unity was important. Only such unity could
convince the Maoists to give up their guns and join the
political process. "Would the Maoists give up their guns and
join the process," Boucher asked. Koirala suggested Boucher
ask the Indians. The Indian government can "settle the
matter." "The Maoist problem depends on India," Koirala
said. Koirala encouraged Boucher to press the Indians to get
the Maoists to give up their guns and join the political
process. The British could be helpful as well, Koirala said.
The U.S., U.K. and India together could do it, said Koirala.
Boucher assured Koirala he would make that point in New
Delhi.

Economic and Social Needs
--------------


12. (C) Turning to economic issues, Koirala told the group
that the government would come up with economic and social
reform programs, but non-interference by the Maoists was
needed for these to succeed. He anticipated there would be
major reforms. When asked what kind of reforms, Chalise
interjected to say that there needed to be "state
restructuring," and social reform. The "excluded" parts of
society -- women, Dalits (untouchables) and other
disadvantaged groups -- needed to be represented in
Parliament. They needed to feel they were full partners in
democracy, part of the mainstream, not just at the national
level, but also in the districts, Chalise said.


13. (C) A/S Boucher told Koirala that the U.S. would support
Nepal's decisions. Tell us your plans and needs, and the
United States will try to help. Koirala welcomed this offer,
asking that the U.S. send any ideas it had, particularly on
economic planning, to him. He would raise our ideas with the
seven parties. Koirala said Nepal also could use advice and
help from the World Bank and United Nations. A lot of
outside help was needed so that Nepal could experience peace
and democracy.


14. (U) Koirala was also joined by his daughter Sujata
Koirala (an ND Central Committee member). A/DCM Blake and
P/E Chief Shelton also sat in.

Comment
--------------


15. (C) Koirala appeared frail when he first entered the
room, but soon warmed up and participated actively in the
discussion. He knows the government will need much
assistance and advice, and appears willing to accept it, with
the possible exception, for now, of military assistance.
Still, Koirala did understand the need to keep the military
happy. Koirala realizes his government will have a lot to
do. Like us, he worries about the Maoists, and knows he will
have a big challenge bringing them into the mainstream. We
will have to work closely with him and the rest of the
government in the weeks and months ahead to ensure they have
the support they need, remain united, and carry through on
popular wishes. The people of Nepal have high expectations.
We need to help this government deliver.


16. (U) A/S Boucher did not have the opportunity to clear
this cable.
MORIARTY