Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KATHMANDU1983
2006-07-25 12:17:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kathmandu
Cable title:
HOME MINISTER SITAULA: NO DECISIONS BEFORE UN
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C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 001983
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/25/2016
TAGS: PGOV PTER NP
SUBJECT: HOME MINISTER SITAULA: NO DECISIONS BEFORE UN
ASSESSMENT TEAM ARRIVES
Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).
SUMMARY
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 001983
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/25/2016
TAGS: PGOV PTER NP
SUBJECT: HOME MINISTER SITAULA: NO DECISIONS BEFORE UN
ASSESSMENT TEAM ARRIVES
Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) On July 24, Home Minister and GON negotiation team
leader Krishna Sitaula told DCM that the GON and the Maoists
would agree on an arms management strategy after meeting with
the UN assessment team, scheduled to arrive on July 26. Home
Minister Sitaula assured DCM that the Maoists would not enter
the interim government before they completely disarmed, and
speculated that disarmament and constituent assembly
elections could happen within a year. He promised to provide
details of the UN meeting and insight into the GON plan in a
couple of weeks. End Summary.
FIRST THE UN ASSESSMENT, THEN A TALK WITH MAOISTS
-------------- --------------
2. (C) On July 24, Home Minister and GON negotiation team
leader Krishna Sitaula said that the GON would not make any
decisions regarding the management of Maoist and Nepal Army
weapons until the UN assessment team evaluated the situation.
Sitaula said that after the GON meets with the UN team,
scheduled to arrive in Kathmandu on July 26, the GON will
then talk to the Maoists. Sitaula stressed that the GON and
the Maoists should reach an arms management decision through
consensus.
3. (C) Home Minister Sitaula stated that the issue of arms
management was a very difficult and critical subject on which
the legitimacy of the GON depended. Sitaula said that an
effective solution for the management of arms would ease the
fear of the people of Nepal and increase their confidence in
the government. He expressed hope that the UN team, which he
said would also meet with the Maoists, would provide
suggestions for arms management. He acknowledged DCM's
observation that the UN team would expect guidelines from the
GON, but did not reveal whether he had any in mind.
DISARMAMENT BEFORE ELECTIONS, ALL WITHIN A YEAR
-------------- --
4. (C) Sitaula speculated that the arms issue would be
settled within two or three months, and that constituent
assembly elections would occur within six to eight months
afterwards (the GON target date is April 2007). He confirmed
that arms management must be completed--not merely in
process--before the formation of an interim government. When
DCM pointed out that the Maoists have been making
contradictory statements, Sitaula reiterated that the GON
would talk to the UN team and then to the Maoists.
A PROMISE OF MORE DETAILS LATER
--------------
5. (C) The Home Minister assured DCM that the GON would
discuss details with us after the UN visit. He reminded us
that Nepal needed support from the United States and India.
Sitaula promised to talk again in about two weeks, when the
GON would have a better idea of a plan of action.
COMMENT
--------------
6. (C) Home Minister Sitaula repeatedly deflected DCM's
questions about the political situation and the definition of
arms management. Sitaula's comments on reaching a consensus
with the Maoists on disarmament seem wildly optimistic. To
date, we have seen nothing that would indicate the Maoists
are willing to disarm. Throughout the meeting, Sitaula
appeared shifty and refused to engage in candid dialogue.
The Home Minister appears out of his depth, and anxious to
avoid at almost any cost mistakes that could jeopardize the
peace.
MORIARTY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/25/2016
TAGS: PGOV PTER NP
SUBJECT: HOME MINISTER SITAULA: NO DECISIONS BEFORE UN
ASSESSMENT TEAM ARRIVES
Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) On July 24, Home Minister and GON negotiation team
leader Krishna Sitaula told DCM that the GON and the Maoists
would agree on an arms management strategy after meeting with
the UN assessment team, scheduled to arrive on July 26. Home
Minister Sitaula assured DCM that the Maoists would not enter
the interim government before they completely disarmed, and
speculated that disarmament and constituent assembly
elections could happen within a year. He promised to provide
details of the UN meeting and insight into the GON plan in a
couple of weeks. End Summary.
FIRST THE UN ASSESSMENT, THEN A TALK WITH MAOISTS
-------------- --------------
2. (C) On July 24, Home Minister and GON negotiation team
leader Krishna Sitaula said that the GON would not make any
decisions regarding the management of Maoist and Nepal Army
weapons until the UN assessment team evaluated the situation.
Sitaula said that after the GON meets with the UN team,
scheduled to arrive in Kathmandu on July 26, the GON will
then talk to the Maoists. Sitaula stressed that the GON and
the Maoists should reach an arms management decision through
consensus.
3. (C) Home Minister Sitaula stated that the issue of arms
management was a very difficult and critical subject on which
the legitimacy of the GON depended. Sitaula said that an
effective solution for the management of arms would ease the
fear of the people of Nepal and increase their confidence in
the government. He expressed hope that the UN team, which he
said would also meet with the Maoists, would provide
suggestions for arms management. He acknowledged DCM's
observation that the UN team would expect guidelines from the
GON, but did not reveal whether he had any in mind.
DISARMAMENT BEFORE ELECTIONS, ALL WITHIN A YEAR
-------------- --
4. (C) Sitaula speculated that the arms issue would be
settled within two or three months, and that constituent
assembly elections would occur within six to eight months
afterwards (the GON target date is April 2007). He confirmed
that arms management must be completed--not merely in
process--before the formation of an interim government. When
DCM pointed out that the Maoists have been making
contradictory statements, Sitaula reiterated that the GON
would talk to the UN team and then to the Maoists.
A PROMISE OF MORE DETAILS LATER
--------------
5. (C) The Home Minister assured DCM that the GON would
discuss details with us after the UN visit. He reminded us
that Nepal needed support from the United States and India.
Sitaula promised to talk again in about two weeks, when the
GON would have a better idea of a plan of action.
COMMENT
--------------
6. (C) Home Minister Sitaula repeatedly deflected DCM's
questions about the political situation and the definition of
arms management. Sitaula's comments on reaching a consensus
with the Maoists on disarmament seem wildly optimistic. To
date, we have seen nothing that would indicate the Maoists
are willing to disarm. Throughout the meeting, Sitaula
appeared shifty and refused to engage in candid dialogue.
The Home Minister appears out of his depth, and anxious to
avoid at almost any cost mistakes that could jeopardize the
peace.
MORIARTY