Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KATHMANDU1785
2006-07-07 12:17:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kathmandu
Cable title:
CODE OF CONDUCT MONITORING COMMITTEE MOVING AHEAD
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHKT #1785/01 1881217 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 071217Z JUL 06 FM AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2236 INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 4561 RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO PRIORITY 4814 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA PRIORITY 9931 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 2802 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 4212 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 9975 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 1217 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 1870 RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
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
-------
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
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