MAOIST LEADERS' STATEMENT: WE'RE IN CHARGE

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 000944 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/INS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/11/2016 TAGS: PGOV PTER PREL NP SUBJECT: MAOIST LEADERS' STATEMENT: WE'RE IN CHARGE Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty, Reasons 1.4 (b/d). Maoist Leaders Take Ownership of Movement -------------- ¶1. (C) In their April 9 statement (unofficial translation in para. 5),Maoist leaders Prachanda and Dr. Baburam Bhattarai appear as if they are trying to make it clear that the Maoists, not the political parties, have the upper hand in directing the current anti-King, pro-republic movement. Stressing the necessity of establishing a democratic republic through a constituent assembly, the leaders state they "are also committed and will remain committed to continuing our strong alliance and understanding with the parliamentary political parties and civil society." The Maoists emphasize their support of the seven political parties' general political strike "until autocratic monarchy is brought to an end" and declare "a general political strike to be our own program also." They announce six specific actions to support the program, including obtaining control of the highways (similar to, but perhaps more extreme than, a chhakhajam or a transportation strike/closure). Prachanda and Bhattarai state that they will coordinate their activities as much as possible with the seven political parties, but act independently where necessary to make the movement a success. Political Party Leaders Jittery -------------- ¶2. (C) In an April 11 conversation, Nepali Congress (Democratic) (NC-D) President Sher Bahadur Deuba acknowledged to the Ambassador that the Maoists had created a problem for the Parties. Deuba noted that he would try to convince other political party leaders to disassociate the seven-party alliance from the Prachanda/Bhattarai April 9 statement. He hoped that Nepali Congress (NC) President GP Koirala might be persuaded to issue a statement along those lines on behalf of the alliance. Deuba added that it would be good for the alliance to end its general strike, particularly given the Maoist call for a chhakhajam. ¶3. (C) Separately, Indian Ambassador Shiv Mukherjee, who had visited Koirala on April 11, opined to the Ambassador that the political parties were very worried about the Maoists current actions, particularly Prachanda's April 9 statement. Mukherjee noted that GP Koirala had issued a statement on behalf of the NC, and added that the seven-party alliance was discussing a possible statement. Comment -------------- ¶4. (C) The Parties increasingly recognize they do not have control over the anti-King movement sweeping the country. It is not clear, even to the authorities who claim that the violent turn of many demonstrations around the country is the result of Maoist instigation, whether the rock-throwing, tire-burning crowds in the streets are acting spontaneously or according to any concerted plan. While trying to use the wave of popular indignation over royal rule to their advantage and to gain power, the Parties also worry that the Maoists are playing the same game, and are better positioned to win. Maoist Statement -------------- ¶5. (U) Begin text of Maoist statement. (Unofficial Translation) Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) Central Committee Press Release April 9 ¶1. In accord with the second 12-point agreement between the CPN (Maoist) and the seven parliamentary political parties, a general political strike was declared on 24-27 Chaitra 2062 (407 April 2076). Defying the bans, curfews and medieval suppression by the feudal royal autocracy, people of all classes and walks of life throughout the country rose up and took part to make it an historic success. Our party declares as martyrs all those sacrificed in the course of making this general strike a success, whether engaged in peaceful or armed resistance, and we express our heartfelt condolences. We extend our wishes for a speedy return to health for the injured and speedy liberation for the imprisoned. We also extend our deep gratitude to all those political forces and communities inside and outside the country who have aided and participated in making the people's demonstrations a success, defying all manner of suppression and repression by the royal forces. We anticipate the same constant support in the coming days. ¶2. Today all classes, all ethnic groups, men and women, and the people of every region of the country have arisen to free themselves once and for all from feudal autocratic monarchy. The entire country is united in opposition to autocracy and in favor of convening a constituent assembly to fulfill the aspirations of full democracy and peace. At this historic and sensitive moment, together with our commitment and responsibility to the historical necessity of the times - establishment of a democratic republic through a constituent assembly - we are also committed and will remain committed to continuing our strong alliance and understanding with the parliamentary political parties and civil society. In this context, we emphatically support the decision of the seven political parties to continue the general political strike, which is developing into a countrywide uprising, until autocratic monarchy is brought to an end. As a measure of our support, we declare a general political strike to be our own program also. We have determined to carry out the following specific programs to bring about its success. a) in defiance of all types of suppression, bans and curfews by the royal power, to carry out widespread people's demonstrations b) to eliminate from the country all the royal statues that dot the landscape as symbols of autocratic feudal power c) to rid the country of all the signboards carrying the name of "His Majesty's Government" d) to assist and encourage the process begun at the local level by many communities to declare republican zones e) to mobilize the people to withhold all forms of taxes and fees from the royal power, and to take people's actions against agents who assist feudal elements f) the People's Liberation Army will retain the highways under its own control ¶3. Along with the above program, coordinating as much as possible with the seven political parties and civil society and acting independently where necessary, we will mobilize the people for rallies, demonstrations, etc. at the local level. The various People's Fronts will also carry out united and independent programs. ¶4. The end of feudal autocratic monarchy and the establishment of a democratic republic by means of a constituent assembly have drawn near. Our party makes the strongest appeal to all pro-people forces within and outside the country to remain alert during these final days of autocracy for all manner of conspiracies and destructive compromises against the interests of the people, in order to help the movement succeed. Date: 9 April 2006 (27 Chaitra, 2062) Baburam Bhattarai Coordinator National Political Conference Organizing Committee United Revolutionary People's Council Prachanda Chairman CPN (Maoist) Supreme Commander, People's Liberation Army, Nepal MORIARTY