AMBASSADOR URGES FOREIGN MINISTER TO RELEASE

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 000287 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR SA/INS NSC FOR MILLARD AND RICHELSOPH E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/30/2016 TAGS: PGOV PHUM NP SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR URGES FOREIGN MINISTER TO RELEASE POLITICAL PRISONERS REF: KATHMANDU 199 Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). ¶1. (C) On January 30, the Ambassador urged Foreign Minister Pandey to release political leaders in custody, including those in jail and those under house arrest. The Foreign Minister noted ongoing security concerns, but promised to discuss the matter with Home Minister Thapa. The Ambassador stressed that it was inconceivable that political party leaders MK Nepal (United Marxist Leninist Party) and Gopal Man Shrestha (Nepali Congress Democratic NC(D)),with whom visiting PACOM Commander Admiral Fallon hoped to meet on February 1, were currently under house arrest. Pandey countered that, if they were released, then they could meet with anyone. The Ambassador quickly replied that was his hope. The Ambassador underscored that holding politicos who were known more as academics than street activists, such as Prakash Sharan Mahat, NC(D) leader and Pandey's predecessor at the Foreign Ministry, showed that the government was more concerned with politics than security. Comment -------------- ¶2. (C) The Ambassador stressed USG concerns about the holding of political prisoners to His Majesty's Government of Nepal. While hoping FM Pandey follows up, we will continue to press the issue. MORIARTY