Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KATHMANDU454
2006-02-15 10:40:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kathmandu
Cable title:
VICE CHAIRMEN RECEPTIVE AND READY FOR
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C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 000454
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SA/INS
NSC FOR RICHELSOPH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/15/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL NP
SUBJECT: VICE CHAIRMEN RECEPTIVE AND READY FOR
RECONCILIATION, BUT HOW?
REF: KATHMANDU 429
Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty, Reasons 1.4 (b/d)
SUMMARY
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 000454
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SA/INS
NSC FOR RICHELSOPH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/15/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL NP
SUBJECT: VICE CHAIRMEN RECEPTIVE AND READY FOR
RECONCILIATION, BUT HOW?
REF: KATHMANDU 429
Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty, Reasons 1.4 (b/d)
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) In separate February 14 meetings with the Vice
Chairmen of Nepal's Council of Ministers, Tulsi Giri and
Kirti Nidhi Bista, the Ambassador relayed USG satisfaction
with the Supreme Court decision finding the Royal Commission
on Corruption Control (RCCC) unconstitutional and ordering
the release of former Prime Minister Deuba (Reftel). The USG
hoped to see additional steps by His Majesty's Government of
Nepal (HMGN) to reconcile with the political parties. Giri
indicated that later on February 14 he would convey to the
King the USG suggestion that he include a reconciliatory
message in his Democracy Day address. The Ambassador also
informed the Vice Chairmen that he would deliver a speech on
February 15 detailing his concerns about continuing Maoist
violence and the need for reconciliation between the Parties
and the Palace. Vice Chairman Giri also shared that he was
approached by the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce
and Industry's (FNCCI) members to push for reconciliation
between the King and the Parties. End Summary.
RECONCILIATION YES, BUT HOW?
--------------
2. (C) Both Giri and Bista concurred that compromise between
the Parties and the Palace was the way forward, however, they
both agreed that the King would be reluctant to make the
first move. The Ambassador assured the Vice Chairmen that he
had also been meeting with political party leaders and that
he had encouraged the Parties to accept an invitation by the
Palace to come to the negotiating table if a chance at
reconciliation was offered. Giri complained that the King
was "ready to extend his hand" to the political parties, but
the Parties did not appear to be interested in reconciliation
with the King. Giri urged the Ambassador to continue to meet
with political party leaders and encourage them to reconcile
with the King. The Ambassador stated that in his meetings
with political party leaders, the Parties expressed their
desperate desire to reconcile.
WHAT IS THE MESSAGE ON DEMOCRACY DAY?
--------------
3. (C) Giri stated that he was meeting with the King on the
evening of February 14 and would convey the USG message to
consider a message of reconciliation in the King's Democracy
Day address. The Ambassador stressed his hope that the King
would send out a signal of compromise and reconciliation in
his Democracy Day address and commented that he would
highlight the USG position in his speech on February 15.
PAWNS FOR THE MAOISTS
--------------
4. (C) The Ambassador and the Vice Chairmen also discussed
the relationship between the Parties and the Maoists. Giri
expressed dismay that G.P. Koirala could talk to the
"terrorists" but not talk to the King, while Bista stated
that the political parties were being "played" by the
Maoists. Both Vice Chairmen seemed disturbed by Maoist
leader Prachanda's BBC interview. The Ambassador also
highlighted the growing anti-Americanism in Prachanda's
interviews and his concern about calls for the creation of a
parallel government including the political parties. Both
Vice Chairmen shared the Ambassador's concerns and questioned
the Parties' decision to remain partners with the Maoists.
NOT OPEN FOR BUSINESS
--------------
5. (C) Giri stated the leaders from the FNCCI had met with
him to discuss the current security situation and concerns
over the status of business in Nepal. According to Giri, the
FNCCI members had pushed for reconciliation between the King
and the Parties in hopes that it would create a more stable
and safe environment for business. Giri added that the FNCCI
leaders had also tried to meet with Nepali Congress (NC)
leader G.P. Koirala to discuss a possible exploratory meeting
between Koirala and Giri but an unwell Koirala had declined
to meet them.
COMMENT
--------------
6. (C) Both Vice Chairmen appeared to be receptive to the
Ambassador's message of reconciliation. However, they
continue to put the onus on the political parties, who they
claim have been unresponsive to feelers in the past, and
question how the Parties would react if the King decided to
reach out.
MORIARTY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SA/INS
NSC FOR RICHELSOPH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/15/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL NP
SUBJECT: VICE CHAIRMEN RECEPTIVE AND READY FOR
RECONCILIATION, BUT HOW?
REF: KATHMANDU 429
Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty, Reasons 1.4 (b/d)
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) In separate February 14 meetings with the Vice
Chairmen of Nepal's Council of Ministers, Tulsi Giri and
Kirti Nidhi Bista, the Ambassador relayed USG satisfaction
with the Supreme Court decision finding the Royal Commission
on Corruption Control (RCCC) unconstitutional and ordering
the release of former Prime Minister Deuba (Reftel). The USG
hoped to see additional steps by His Majesty's Government of
Nepal (HMGN) to reconcile with the political parties. Giri
indicated that later on February 14 he would convey to the
King the USG suggestion that he include a reconciliatory
message in his Democracy Day address. The Ambassador also
informed the Vice Chairmen that he would deliver a speech on
February 15 detailing his concerns about continuing Maoist
violence and the need for reconciliation between the Parties
and the Palace. Vice Chairman Giri also shared that he was
approached by the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce
and Industry's (FNCCI) members to push for reconciliation
between the King and the Parties. End Summary.
RECONCILIATION YES, BUT HOW?
--------------
2. (C) Both Giri and Bista concurred that compromise between
the Parties and the Palace was the way forward, however, they
both agreed that the King would be reluctant to make the
first move. The Ambassador assured the Vice Chairmen that he
had also been meeting with political party leaders and that
he had encouraged the Parties to accept an invitation by the
Palace to come to the negotiating table if a chance at
reconciliation was offered. Giri complained that the King
was "ready to extend his hand" to the political parties, but
the Parties did not appear to be interested in reconciliation
with the King. Giri urged the Ambassador to continue to meet
with political party leaders and encourage them to reconcile
with the King. The Ambassador stated that in his meetings
with political party leaders, the Parties expressed their
desperate desire to reconcile.
WHAT IS THE MESSAGE ON DEMOCRACY DAY?
--------------
3. (C) Giri stated that he was meeting with the King on the
evening of February 14 and would convey the USG message to
consider a message of reconciliation in the King's Democracy
Day address. The Ambassador stressed his hope that the King
would send out a signal of compromise and reconciliation in
his Democracy Day address and commented that he would
highlight the USG position in his speech on February 15.
PAWNS FOR THE MAOISTS
--------------
4. (C) The Ambassador and the Vice Chairmen also discussed
the relationship between the Parties and the Maoists. Giri
expressed dismay that G.P. Koirala could talk to the
"terrorists" but not talk to the King, while Bista stated
that the political parties were being "played" by the
Maoists. Both Vice Chairmen seemed disturbed by Maoist
leader Prachanda's BBC interview. The Ambassador also
highlighted the growing anti-Americanism in Prachanda's
interviews and his concern about calls for the creation of a
parallel government including the political parties. Both
Vice Chairmen shared the Ambassador's concerns and questioned
the Parties' decision to remain partners with the Maoists.
NOT OPEN FOR BUSINESS
--------------
5. (C) Giri stated the leaders from the FNCCI had met with
him to discuss the current security situation and concerns
over the status of business in Nepal. According to Giri, the
FNCCI members had pushed for reconciliation between the King
and the Parties in hopes that it would create a more stable
and safe environment for business. Giri added that the FNCCI
leaders had also tried to meet with Nepali Congress (NC)
leader G.P. Koirala to discuss a possible exploratory meeting
between Koirala and Giri but an unwell Koirala had declined
to meet them.
COMMENT
--------------
6. (C) Both Vice Chairmen appeared to be receptive to the
Ambassador's message of reconciliation. However, they
continue to put the onus on the political parties, who they
claim have been unresponsive to feelers in the past, and
question how the Parties would react if the King decided to
reach out.
MORIARTY