NEPAL ASKS USG SUPPORT FOR UN ASSISTANCE

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 001794 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/10/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER NP SUBJECT: NEPAL ASKS USG SUPPORT FOR UN ASSISTANCE REF: A. KATHMANDU 1744 ¶B. KATHMANDU 1731 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Nick Dean, Reasons, 1.4 (b/d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C/NF) The GON shared with Post a copy of Prime Minister Koirala's letter requesting assistance from the United Nations (full text in para. 5) and asked for our support in getting the UN to give a prompt, positive response. The GON is worried that India is opposing UN action. According to the PM's foreign affairs advisor, the GON is also concerned that India is putting pressure on the GON to consult with the Maoists. End Summary. GON Seeks U.S. Help -------------- ¶2. (C/NF) On July 9, Prime Minister Koirala's Foreign Affairs Advisor, Suresh Chalise, requested USG support for the July 2 request for UN assistance by the Government of Nepal (GON) (ref A). Chalise said he had been in touch with Nepal's Ambassador to the UN, Madhu Raman Acharya (former Foreign Secretary),who had indicated the UN - and India - had issues SIPDIS with the GON letter. Chalise expressed concern that India had been putting pressure on the GON to consult with the Maoists. He explained that Prime Minister Koirala's strongly-held view was that "the unconstitutional status of the rebels does not allow the GON to consult with the Maoists." According to Chalise, the GON made the request for assistance to the UN as a sovereign member-state. UN Assistance to Prepare For Constituent Assembly Elections -------------- -------------- ¶3. (C/NF) Chalise noted that the Government of India had been pressing him for a copy of the letter. He stated that the Foreign Ministry had a copy of the letter, explaining that the Foreign Secretary had received a copy and been present on July 3 when Chalise had handed over the letter to the UN. (Note: Foreign Minister/Deputy Prime Minister KP Oli recently denied having a copy of the final text - an issue on Kathmandu's front-pages. End Note.) As previewed by UN Resident Representative Matthew Kahane (ref B),the PM's letter specifically requested the UN to: -- continue monitoring human rights through the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR); -- assist monitoring the Code of Conduct during the ceasefire; -- assist in the monitoring of Maoist combatants and decommissioning of Maoist arms in order to ensure free and fair constituent assembly elections; -- monitor to ensure the Nepali Army (NA) is inside its barracks and not used by any side in constituent assembly elections; -- observe the election process to the constituent assembly. In his letter, PM Koirala stated that the GON plans to hold the elections by mid-April 2007, and thus requested support at the UN's earliest convenience. Chalise said the Prime Minister was now worried that the UN's response would not be early, and that it might not be positive. Comment -------------- ¶4. (C) The Prime Minister anticipates a very negative reaction to the GON's request that the UN help with decommissioning, not just management, of Maoist arms. However, he also believes that decommissioning is what is needed to have free and fair constituent assembly elections, which has been the long-standing number one Maoist demand. The GON views calls for consultations with the Maoists - whether by Nepali parties, the international community, or the UN - as a tactic to delay UN assistance, which it believes is essential for the peace process to go forward. The GON also recognizes that speed in getting UN monitoring on the ground is essential as Maoists have not really started observing the code of conduct, yet are engaged in a campaign to blame any potential failure of peace talks on the GON or the international community. U.S. support for a robust and prompt response by the UN to the GON's request for assistance is both appropriate and essential in moving this key element of the peace process forward. Text of Prime Minister's Letter -------------- ¶5. (C/NF) Chalise asked that we not share the text of the letter. Begin text of letter as written: H.E. Mr. Kofi Annan Secretary-General of the United Nations SIPDIS New York Date: 2 July 2006 Dear Mr. Secretary General, I have the pleasure of informing you that the Government of Nepal has taken decisive steps to consolidate the achievements of the successful people's movement that restored democracy and made the people of Nepal supreme and sovereign once and for all. This has set in motion Nepal's determined search for real and lasting peace based on the national unity and reconciliation, and move towards stability by strengthening and institutionalizing the democratic process in the country. On June 16, 2006, the Seven Party Alliance and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoists) concluded an eight-point agreement covering steps that are needed to create a conducive environment to elect a Constituent Assembly to ensure permanent peace in society. Earlier on May 26, the Government reached an agreement with the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoists) on a twenty-five point Code of Conduct to be observed during the ceasefire between the two sides. In view of the firm commitment of the United Nations to promote sustainable peace and security, economic and social development and human rights around the world on the basis of fundamental principles of respect for sovereignty of nations, mutual cooperation and peaceful resolution of conflicts, the Government of Nepal decides to request the United Nations for the following: ¶1. Continue monitoring of human rights through the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal (OHCHR-Nepal). ¶2. Assist to monitor the Code of Conduct during the ceasefire. ¶3. Assist in the monitoring of the combatants of the Maoists and decommissioning of their arms in order to ensure a free and fair election to the Constituent Assembly. ¶4. Monitor to assure that the Nepal Army is inside barracks and is not being used for or against any side in order to ensure a free and fair election to the Constituent Assembly. ¶5. Observe the election process to the Constituent Assembly. As we plan to hold the election to the Constituent Assembly by the end of current Nepali Year (mid-April 2007), I would be grateful if you could start extending the necessary support of the United Nations on the above-mentioned issues at your earliest convenience. I would like to take this opportunity to express sincere appreciation and gratitude of the Government of Nepal to the United Nations and to you personally for the consistent support for a democratic process and continued interest in the peace building in Nepal. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration. //S// Girija Prasad Koirala End text of letter. DEAN