FOREIGN MINISTRY CRITICIZES FOREIGN REACTION TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 000424 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR SA/INS NSC FOR RICHELSOPH E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/13/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV NP SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTRY CRITICIZES FOREIGN REACTION TO ELECTIONS REF: KATHMANDU 409 Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty, reasons 1.4 (b/d) GOVERNMENT LASHES OUT AT FOREIGN CRITICISM OF MUNICIPAL POLLS -------------- -------------- ¶1. (U) In response to widespread international condemnation of the February 8 municipal polls, the Foreign Ministry issued a press release on February 10, requesting foreign powers to refrain from making "insolent comments" on matters that fall within the domestic jurisdiction of a sovereign country. The statement said that His Majesty's Government of Nepal (HMGN) found statements made by a "few" countries "totally objectionable and unacceptable." Further, the FM noted that demanding democracy and criticizing the polls was "a paradox in itself." The statement called the elections a success and sarcastically requested that the "government would be grateful to be enlightened if there is a substitute for elections in a democracy." COMMENT -------------- ¶2. (C) The press laughed at the Foreign Ministry's reaction to press statements by the U.S., India, Japan, U.K., and the EU. As the King viewed the municipal polls as a necessary step in his plan to restore democracy, the statement from the Foreign Ministry likely reflects a desire to curry favor with the Palace. MORIARTY