CHINESE AMBASSADOR SOFTLY PUSHING RECONCILIATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 000404 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR SA/INS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/10/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER CH NP SUBJECT: CHINESE AMBASSADOR SOFTLY PUSHING RECONCILIATION REF: A. KATHMANDU 271 ¶B. 05 KATHMANDU 728 ¶C. KATHMANDU 372 Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty, Reasons, 1.4 (b/d). ¶1. (C) In a February 10 discussion, Chinese Ambassador Sun agreed with the Ambassador about the need for the King to reconcile with the political parties. Sun informed the Ambassador that State Counselor Tang Jiaxuan's visit was postponed until mid-March because of Chinese domestic political meetings (the CPPCC and National People's Congress meeting). (Note: China had requested the Government of Nepal's (GON) assistance in facilitating meetings for Tang with political party leaders, which had concerned the GON. End Note.) The Ambassador cursorily briefed Sun on Admiral Fallon's February 1-2 visit. He explained that the PACOM commander had pressed the message that the legitimate political forces have to work together. The King had played "nice guy," assuring the Admiral that he would act, but adding that he would only act when he thought the time was right. The Ambassador added that the King had indicated he did not have a blueprint, but would follow different avenues to achieve his goals. ¶2. (C) Ambassador Sun stated that the MFA's January 25 statement (ref A) calling for dialogue was not precisely translated in Nepal; the correct translation should have been "All sides should engage in dialogue to resolve the country's problems." He maintained that Foreign Minister Li had said something along the same lines and had pushed for reconciliation during his March 31-April 1 2005 visit (Ref B). Sun said the King had called to inform him the night before Li's departure that Nepali Congress President GP Koirala would be released. Sun noted that although the international community could press for reconciliation, "ultimately no outsider has the power to force reconciliation if Nepal doesn't want it." Comment -------------- ¶3. (C) Ambassador Sun shared our concern about Nepal's downward trajectory. Nepal is starting to feel a little heat from China, despite China's reluctance to become too involved in pressuring the GON - except on issues related to Tibetan refugees. MORIARTY