PRIME MINISTER APPROVES USG PROVIDING TRAINING TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 001284 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/19/2016 TAGS: MASS PREL PTER PHUM NP SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER APPROVES USG PROVIDING TRAINING TO SECURITY FORCES REF: KATHMANDU 1148 Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty, Reasons, 1.4 (b/d). Approval for Security Training and Courses -------------- ¶1. (C) On May 19, Dr. Suresh C. Chalise, the Prime Minister's External Affairs Advisor, told us that the Prime Minister had approved all the courses, seminars, and conferences we had planned as part of our FY 06 security assistance program. He indicated that we should take a quiet approach. He stressed that the government wanted to have good, close relations with the Nepali Army (NA). He explained that the government wanted to be prepared in case the Maoists "ditched" the peace talks. He suggested that nominees for training be "untainted" and, if possible, "should not be anti-democratic." We suggested that the government should have the NA provide the names of the nominees to the Prime Minister's office and the Ministry of Defense. We added that we would welcome the Government of Nepal's (GON) input, as we strenuously vetted nominees for human rights violations. Location of Two Training Exchanges of Concern -------------- ¶2. (C) Chalise requested that the infantry exchange take place in the United States, rather than in Nepal, to avoid any press that could put the peace dialogue at risk. He agreed that we should wait until early July to decide whether the Aviation Subject Matter Expert Exchange, planned for September 11-22, could occur in Nepal, or whether it should take place in Alaska. Again, he wanted to balance the political concerns with the ability to train more Nepali Army personnel. But Wait on Lethal Security Assistance -------------- ¶3. (C) Chalise stressed that the government still did not want the USG to resume lethal security assistance. The GON knows the equipment we have on hand and appreciates our readiness to resume supply. However, at this time, political concerns dictate that the GON hold off on a request. Comment -------------- ¶4. (C) The GON seems eager to continue to receive U.S. training. Chalise told us that it wanted the U.S. as an alternative supplier to prevent overdependence on India, but the GON still wants security assistance to keep a low profile. We infer that while the GON might consider a September JCET, it would not be comfortable giving it a green-light at this time. MORIARTY