MAOIST INFLUENCE STRONG IN CENTRAL NEPAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 002344 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/INS, H (PLEASE PASS TO STAFFDEL FORSYTH) E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/30/2016 TAGS: PTER PGOV NP SUBJECT: MAOIST INFLUENCE STRONG IN CENTRAL NEPAL Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). ¶1. (C) During an August 24 dinner with House International Relations Committee Staffdel Forsyth, Deputy Inspector General of Police in Pokhara (central Nepal) Ramesh Kumar Shrestha told Emboff that the Maoists could do "more or less whatever they want" in and around the city of Pokhara. Shrestha stated that the Nepal Police had no clear orders from the Home Ministry and were unclear as to how to deal with Maoist extortion and abduction. Shrestha lamented that the police wanted to arrest criminals, but were afraid to take the initiative and be seen as the ones who "destroyed the peace process." Shrestha said that, because of Maoist intimidation, the police had been unable to protect local businesses against extortion. The owner of a large restaurant in the tourist area of Pokhara told Emboff that the Maoists came once a week to collect their "taxes" from her. ¶2. (C) On August 25, Staffdel Forsyth was scheduled to have lunch with political leaders in Pokhara. One of the first arrivals to the lunch was a Maoist leader and his "friend." When Emboff informed them that they were not invited to the lunch, the two Maoists angrily went outside the restaurant to wait. As other political leaders from the Seven-Party Alliance (SPA) arrived, they stayed outside with the Maoists. After everyone had arrived, a representative of the group informed Emboff that the group (Maoists and SPA leaders) would not be attending lunch, but that afterward "we can have a political meeting." Emboff canceled the lunch instead of meeting with the party leaders and the Maoists. Comment -------------- ¶3. (C) This incident underscored the influence of the Maoists over political leaders outside the valley. The Ambassador met with the Chief District Officer in Pokhara in June and found him singularly unwilling to take the Maoists on for the excesses inside the city. MORIARTY