Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KATHMANDU814
2006-03-27 10:37:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kathmandu
Cable title:
NORWAY CREATING "ARENA" TO GET PEOPLE TOGETHER
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C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 000814
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR D, P, SCA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/27/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER NP
SUBJECT: NORWAY CREATING "ARENA" TO GET PEOPLE TOGETHER
Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty, Reasons, 1.4 (b/d).
Norway Organizes Ongoing "Arena" For Discussions
--------------------------------------------- ----
C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 000814
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR D, P, SCA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/27/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER NP
SUBJECT: NORWAY CREATING "ARENA" TO GET PEOPLE TOGETHER
Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty, Reasons, 1.4 (b/d).
Norway Organizes Ongoing "Arena" For Discussions
-------------- --------------
1. (C) On March 24, Norwegian Ambassador Tore Toreng briefed
the Ambassador on a Norwegian effort to bring a group of
about 40 influential Nepalis from a broad spectrum together
to share "Norwegian Experiences in Conflict Resolution and
Mediation." Toreng, explaining this was not a "Norwegian
initiative," said the discussions focus on how to use
Norway's experiences in the Nepali context. Norway's goal
was to "create an arena to get people together." Two
ministers, Narayan Singh Pun and Home Minister Kamal Thapa,
were participants, as were two retired RNA generals, a number
of journalists, members of civil society and representatives
from the major political parties. Toreng had also invited
USAID contractor Hannes Siebert, Swiss Peace Expert Gunther
Baechler, a UNDP representative, and the Finnish Charge to
participate. Toreng stressed that he wanted to use this
"arena" to show that peace initiatives could be transparent.
He mentioned that on March 23 he had briefed Chief of ARMY
Staff Pyar Jung Thapa on Norway's activities in Nepal and
they had discussed elements of a possible cease-fire/peace
process. Toreng remarked that COAS Thapa had indicated he
was interested in the concept of a cease-fire. Thapa had
also told Toreng that he would mention the Norwegian
activities to the King during the weekly security meeting.
Prospects for a "Friends of Nepal" Group?
--------------
2. (C) The Norwegian Ambassador mentioned that participants
in the Norwegian effort wanted to push the issue of a
"Friends of Nepal" group. Toreng stated he had raised it
with Indian Ambassador Mukherjee, who said he was open to
brainstorming about the idea. Toreng said he did not want to
force the idea, but wanted to keep it floating because the
Indian Ambassador had been receptive to it. The Ambassador
responded that the U.S. would be interested in exploring the
idea. Toreng said he had also raised it with PRC Ambassador
Sun, who had commented that China preferred to "do things
bilaterally." Toreng noted that he had wanted to inform him
because, although he did not see the need for the PRC to
participate, he wanted to double-check that China could
tolerate the concept of having "international guarantors for
a peace process."
Comment
--------------
3. (C) The number of international actors who are interested
in launching or pursuing peace initiatives in Nepal is
growing. To date, neither the King nor the Maoists seem
particularly interested.
MORIARTY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR D, P, SCA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/27/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER NP
SUBJECT: NORWAY CREATING "ARENA" TO GET PEOPLE TOGETHER
Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty, Reasons, 1.4 (b/d).
Norway Organizes Ongoing "Arena" For Discussions
-------------- --------------
1. (C) On March 24, Norwegian Ambassador Tore Toreng briefed
the Ambassador on a Norwegian effort to bring a group of
about 40 influential Nepalis from a broad spectrum together
to share "Norwegian Experiences in Conflict Resolution and
Mediation." Toreng, explaining this was not a "Norwegian
initiative," said the discussions focus on how to use
Norway's experiences in the Nepali context. Norway's goal
was to "create an arena to get people together." Two
ministers, Narayan Singh Pun and Home Minister Kamal Thapa,
were participants, as were two retired RNA generals, a number
of journalists, members of civil society and representatives
from the major political parties. Toreng had also invited
USAID contractor Hannes Siebert, Swiss Peace Expert Gunther
Baechler, a UNDP representative, and the Finnish Charge to
participate. Toreng stressed that he wanted to use this
"arena" to show that peace initiatives could be transparent.
He mentioned that on March 23 he had briefed Chief of ARMY
Staff Pyar Jung Thapa on Norway's activities in Nepal and
they had discussed elements of a possible cease-fire/peace
process. Toreng remarked that COAS Thapa had indicated he
was interested in the concept of a cease-fire. Thapa had
also told Toreng that he would mention the Norwegian
activities to the King during the weekly security meeting.
Prospects for a "Friends of Nepal" Group?
--------------
2. (C) The Norwegian Ambassador mentioned that participants
in the Norwegian effort wanted to push the issue of a
"Friends of Nepal" group. Toreng stated he had raised it
with Indian Ambassador Mukherjee, who said he was open to
brainstorming about the idea. Toreng said he did not want to
force the idea, but wanted to keep it floating because the
Indian Ambassador had been receptive to it. The Ambassador
responded that the U.S. would be interested in exploring the
idea. Toreng said he had also raised it with PRC Ambassador
Sun, who had commented that China preferred to "do things
bilaterally." Toreng noted that he had wanted to inform him
because, although he did not see the need for the PRC to
participate, he wanted to double-check that China could
tolerate the concept of having "international guarantors for
a peace process."
Comment
--------------
3. (C) The number of international actors who are interested
in launching or pursuing peace initiatives in Nepal is
growing. To date, neither the King nor the Maoists seem
particularly interested.
MORIARTY