CODE OF CONDUCT MONITORING COMMITTEE MOVING AHEAD

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 001785 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2016 TAGS: PGOV PTER PINR EAID NP SUBJECT: CODE OF CONDUCT MONITORING COMMITTEE MOVING AHEAD REF: A. KATHMANDU 1373 ¶B. KATHMANDU 1063 ¶C. KATHMANDU 1129 ¶D. KATHMANDU 1563 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Nicholas Dean. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) On July 7, Charge met with Birendra Mishra, Coordinator of the National Monitoring Committee on Code of Conduct for Ceasefire (NMCC),to discuss the future plans of the NMCC and its role in peace negotiations. Mishra said that the committee, set up in the Peace Secretariat since just July 2, has 24 members endorsed by both the GON and the Maoists. There are seven groups that will travel to various parts of the country to observe the situation on the ground and meet with people from political parties, civil society, and the general public. End Summary. Monitoring Committee Moving Full-Steam Ahead -------------- ¶2. (C) Mishra explained that the NMCC's mandate was to report on violations of the Code of Conduct (ref A) to the Government of Nepal's (GON) negotiating team. According to Mishra, the 25-point Code of Conduct is a bridge that connects the individual ceasefires declared by the Maoists (ref B) and the GON (ref C). The Charge offered USG support to the NMCC and Mishra expressed gratitude for the offer, but did not make any specific requests. People Are Reporting Violations -------------- ¶3. (C) Mishra indicated that Nepalis were reporting violations of the Code of Conduct to the Committee already, through letters, phone calls, faxes, emails, and personal appearances. He stated that people were not afraid to come forward with complaints in Kathmandu and could report anonymously if they wanted. Mishra acknowledged that in the countryside, fear could have a chilling effect on reporting. According to Mishra, the role of the NMCC was to protect the lives and livelihood of the Nepali people by monitoring the Code of Conduct. Mishra categorically stated that the NMCC was not charged with managing or monitoring arms, but that the United nations would take care of this. Another member of the NMCC, Taranath Dahal, said that the NMCC planned to provide support in an advisory capacity to the United Nations on arms management. The United Nations offices could be located near the NMCC in the Babar Mahal complex. Optimistic About The Maoists -------------- ¶4. (C) Mishra told us that he personally believes the Maoists are feeling lots of pressure to abide by the Code of Conduct now that they have entered the political arena. He is optimistic that peace will prevail and the Maoists will become part of the political mainstream, but cautioned that it will take time. Biographical Note: Birendra Mishra -------------- ¶5. (C) Bio Note. Birendra P. Mishra was a professor of philosophy in Nepal for 20 years. He was then appointed to the Election Commission for six years, where he oversaw two parliamentary elections. He spent the last two years writing political commentary, analyzing politics in Nepal from a "philosophical point of view." He is originally from a small town outside of Janakpur in southeastern Nepal. His English is good but faltering. He considers himself a bit of a pessimist, "always seeing the negative side of things," but claims current events in the country have made him an optimist. He stated that he "wanted to do something good for our nation." He was ready and willing to share his personal opinion about things outside of the official position of his office. End Bio Note. Comment -------------- ¶6. (C) The NMCC Coordinator is committed to his role and understands that monitoring the Code of Conduct will be crucial, as will publicizing any violations. Disturbingly, since the Maoists and the GON established the monitoring committee on June 15, it has dwindled from 31 to 24 members (ref D). Even Mishra believes the United Nations should take the lead in looking at the issue of Maoists arms' management and decommissioning, the key determinant of the future of Nepal's peace. DEAN