DEPUTY PM: IMPOSSIBLE TO BRING MAOISTS INTO

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 001667 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/23/2016 TAGS: PTER PGOV PREL NP SUBJECT: DEPUTY PM: IMPOSSIBLE TO BRING MAOISTS INTO GOVERNMENT BEFORE DECOMMISSIONING OF WEAPONS Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). NO MAOISTS WITH WEAPONS IN GOVERNMENT -------------- ¶1. (C) In a June 23 meeting with the Ambassador, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister K.P. Oli stressed that it would be "quite impossible" to bring the Maoists into the Government of Nepal (GON) before "demobilization and decommissioning" had taken place. During the meeting, Oli excused himself to take a phone call from Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran. Oli told the Ambassador he had given SIPDIS Saran, who had raised New Delhi's concerns about GON concessions to the Maoists, the same clear message that the Maoists would not be allowed to enter the government until the weapons issue was resolved. The Ambassador explained to Oli that the Patriot Act would most likely prevent the USG from providing assistance of any type if the Maoists were allowed to join the GON before they had irrevocably given up violence. Oli noted that once the Maoists had given up their arms and violent ways the GON planned to request that the U.S. remove its terrorist designation of the Maoists. OLI: EIGHT-POINT AGREEMENT MUST BE IMPLEMENTED CAREFULLY -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) Noting that he was in Europe when the June 16 negotiations took place, Oli acknowledged his surprise over how quickly the eight-point agreement was reached. He commented that the GON needed to be careful implementing the eight-point agreement now that the agreement was a reality. Oli assured the Ambassador, however, that the GON was in no hurry to dissolve Parliament and would only do so when there was a "good alternative." The Ambassador urged Oli to stop the GON from making unilateral concessions to Maoists in negotiations. OLI WANTS MAOIST EXTORTION AND INTIMIDATION TO STOP -------------- -------------- ¶3. (C) Oli said that the GON would not accept extremism and only wanted sovereignty for the Nepali people, peace, and democracy. He stressed that Maoist extortion and intimidation should be stopped and conveyed to the Ambassador that he would talk with PM Koirala about the issue upon his return from Bangkok on June 26. COMMENT -------------- ¶4. (C) Oli was categorical in stating that the Maoists would not be allowed in the GON before the weapons issue was resolved. Political leaders seem clear on this point now; the real test, however, will come when and if there are negotiations to decide on terms of reference for weapons monitoring. MORIARTY