PRIME MINISTER TAKES A STRONG STANCE ON MAOISTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 002188 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/13/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER NP SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER TAKES A STRONG STANCE ON MAOISTS DURING VISIT WITH SENATOR SPECTER Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (b,d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) A spry Prime Minister Koirala thanked Senator Specter for continued support, explaining that United States financial assistance had helped stabilize the government. Koirala stressed his strong support of democracy, and emphasized that unless the Maoists gave up their weapons they could not join the government. Koirala warned he would mobilize the security forces to take Maoists into custody if the Maoists continued to violate terms of the 25-point Code of Conduct. Koirala hoped that the United Nations would monitor the cease-fire as soon as possible, explaining that it was important not to "demoralize" the Nepal Army. Koirala commented that he hoped that India would play a more constructive role in Nepal. End Summary. US and UN Support Welcomed -------------- ¶2. (C) An energetic Prime Minister G.P. Koirala welcomed Senator Arlen Specter to Nepal in a forty-five minute meeting on August 13. Koirala expressed hope that the United States, the United Nations and the international community could help to solve Nepal's problems. He thanked Senator Specter and the United States for its contributions to date, explaining that such assistance helped stabilize the government and show people that, unlike the Maoists, the government was working for them. He hoped that the United States would help support reconstruction and rehabilitation in the future, including continued support to the Peace Secretariat as talks with the Maoists continued. Koirala looked forward to the establishment of a United Nations mission to monitor the cease-fire and verify the cantonment of the Maoists and their weapons. Democracy Life's Goal -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Specter noted that autocratic governments had jailed Koirala for his pro-democratic activities. Koirala responded that his life's goal was to bring all non-democratic elements, including the Maoists, into a constitutional democracy, stating that he would "never surrender a democratic government to anyone." Koirala hoped that he would succeed in order for "terrorists all over the world" to learn from Nepal's example that dialogue was the best way to solve disputes. Koirala said he supported a continuation of a ceremonial monarchy because the monarchy had been a unifying factor in Nepal since 1769. He noted that, unless the Maoists gave up their weapons, the interim constitutional drafting committee could not consider the Maoist's suggestions. He also noted that Maoist proposals for a republic and for ethnic-based politics could "fragment" and destabilize Nepal. Maoists Must Give Up Weapons -------------- ¶4. (C) Koirala worried about Maoist intentions, especially as they continued to have and use weapons. He said that Maoist cadre continued to extort and collect taxes despite signing the 25-point Code of Conduct in which they had agreed to stop these activities. Koirala said he would mobilize the security forces to take Maoists into custody if the Maoists continued unlawful actions, commenting that the first responsibility of a government was to maintain law and order. Koirala hoped that the United Nations would come and monitor the cease-fire as soon as possible, explaining that it was important not to "demoralize" the Nepal Army. Role of India and China -------------- ¶5. (C/NF) On the role of other countries in Nepal, Koirala explained that India, especially the Indian intelligence service, were not as clear on policy or as helpful to Nepal as he would like them to be, especially as the Maoist problem affected India as well as Nepal. In contrast, he said that China had a policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of Nepal and he had no evidence that China had changed that policy. Comment -------------- ¶6. (C) Senator Specter's visit could not have come at a better time. It is good to see that PM Koirala continues to stand strong on the issue of separation of the Maoists from their weapons. He stressed that he was willing to use Nepal's security forces to prevent future violations of the cease-fire, but clearly views the establishment of a UN mission as the best option for curtailing Maoist aggressiveness. Post will continue to reinforce the arms management issue with the PM and his government. MORIARTY