Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KATHMANDU3131
2006-11-30 09:01:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Kathmandu
Cable title:
COAS KATAWAL DOWNPLAYS RUMORS OF ROYAL RESURGENCE
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C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 003131
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2016
TAGS: PGOV PTER PREL NP
SUBJECT: COAS KATAWAL DOWNPLAYS RUMORS OF ROYAL RESURGENCE
REF: KATHMANDU 3124
Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).
Resurgence Of The King?
-----------------------
C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 003131
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2016
TAGS: PGOV PTER PREL NP
SUBJECT: COAS KATAWAL DOWNPLAYS RUMORS OF ROYAL RESURGENCE
REF: KATHMANDU 3124
Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).
Resurgence Of The King?
--------------
1. (C/NF) On November 28, Siddharta Rana, a prominent
businessman and son of a close confidante of the King, told
the Ambassador that the King believed he was going to make a
comeback soon, and that he still did not realize he was
responsible for his own downfall. Rana said the King blamed
India and the Nepal Army (NA) for the success of the
pro-democracy movement in April 2006. The King's advisors
had told him that they would be able to mobilize 500,000 Shiv
Sena Hindu radicals from India to participate in favor of the
monarchy in the Constituent Assembly elections in June.
Similarly, the King's advisor's hoped to convince the NA to
intervene on his behalf.
NA Chief: King's Aspirations "Suicidal"
--------------
2. (C/NF) Later on November 28, Chief of Army Staff (COAS)
General Rukmangud Katawal told the Ambassador that he had
heard the rumors of the King's desire to make a comeback as
well. However, Katawal described such a move as "suicidal,"
declaring, "as long as I am COAS, such an alliance (between
the NA and the King) will not happen."
Katawal Not Impressed By Latest Agreement
--------------
3. (C) Katawal complained to the Ambassador that the
Government of Nepal (GON) had been too compliant in
negotiations with the Maoists on the November 28 arms
management agreement (reftel). Katawal was pleased that
references to Maoist People's Liberation Army (PLA)
"divisions" and "brigades" had been dropped from the final
agreement, avoiding the entry of up to seven Maoist
"generals" into the NA. However, Katawal was worried about
the ability of the Maoists to conduct military training in
the camps. Katawal said that he was going to meet with
Indian Foreign Secretary Menon during his visit to Nepal and
would emphasize the need to hold the Maoists to their
commitments. Katawal also intended to stress to Menon the
importance of civilian control over the NA.
Comment
--------------
4. (C/NF) The King's apparent dream of a return to power
seems to be the stuff of fantasy. Even if his advisors want
to create trouble during the elections to a Constituent
Assembly, it seems unlikely that they could mobilize large
numbers of Hindu fundamentalists to take part. Katawal's
view of such a move by the King as "suicidal" and his
commitment to civilian control over the military are welcome.
We will continue to buck up the GON in negotiations and
press it to create mechanisms to hold the Maoists to their
commitments. The international community's role in the
latter is vital.
MORIARTY
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2016
TAGS: PGOV PTER PREL NP
SUBJECT: COAS KATAWAL DOWNPLAYS RUMORS OF ROYAL RESURGENCE
REF: KATHMANDU 3124
Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).
Resurgence Of The King?
--------------
1. (C/NF) On November 28, Siddharta Rana, a prominent
businessman and son of a close confidante of the King, told
the Ambassador that the King believed he was going to make a
comeback soon, and that he still did not realize he was
responsible for his own downfall. Rana said the King blamed
India and the Nepal Army (NA) for the success of the
pro-democracy movement in April 2006. The King's advisors
had told him that they would be able to mobilize 500,000 Shiv
Sena Hindu radicals from India to participate in favor of the
monarchy in the Constituent Assembly elections in June.
Similarly, the King's advisor's hoped to convince the NA to
intervene on his behalf.
NA Chief: King's Aspirations "Suicidal"
--------------
2. (C/NF) Later on November 28, Chief of Army Staff (COAS)
General Rukmangud Katawal told the Ambassador that he had
heard the rumors of the King's desire to make a comeback as
well. However, Katawal described such a move as "suicidal,"
declaring, "as long as I am COAS, such an alliance (between
the NA and the King) will not happen."
Katawal Not Impressed By Latest Agreement
--------------
3. (C) Katawal complained to the Ambassador that the
Government of Nepal (GON) had been too compliant in
negotiations with the Maoists on the November 28 arms
management agreement (reftel). Katawal was pleased that
references to Maoist People's Liberation Army (PLA)
"divisions" and "brigades" had been dropped from the final
agreement, avoiding the entry of up to seven Maoist
"generals" into the NA. However, Katawal was worried about
the ability of the Maoists to conduct military training in
the camps. Katawal said that he was going to meet with
Indian Foreign Secretary Menon during his visit to Nepal and
would emphasize the need to hold the Maoists to their
commitments. Katawal also intended to stress to Menon the
importance of civilian control over the NA.
Comment
--------------
4. (C/NF) The King's apparent dream of a return to power
seems to be the stuff of fantasy. Even if his advisors want
to create trouble during the elections to a Constituent
Assembly, it seems unlikely that they could mobilize large
numbers of Hindu fundamentalists to take part. Katawal's
view of such a move by the King as "suicidal" and his
commitment to civilian control over the military are welcome.
We will continue to buck up the GON in negotiations and
press it to create mechanisms to hold the Maoists to their
commitments. The international community's role in the
latter is vital.
MORIARTY