UN SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE ASSURES GOI PEACE TALKS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 007205 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/INS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/18/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV NP UN IN SUBJECT: UN SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE ASSURES GOI PEACE TALKS IN NEPAL HAVE NOT BROKEN DOWN Classified By: PolCouns Ted Osius for Reasons 1.4 (B, D) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: During an October 17 visit to New Delhi, UN representative Ian Martin told GOI interlocutors that, although talks have stalled in Nepal, they have not completely broken down and he is optimistic the GON and Maoists will eventually resume negotiations, although he did not have any indication when this would happen. Martin told the MEA both sides are committed to dialogue and are coming closer to a settlement. He commented that thus far the discussions have moved forward at a surprisingly fast pace, suggesting the recent break is part of the talks, natural course. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) On October 17, in New Delhi, the UN Secretary General,s personal representative to the peace process in Nepal Ian Martin debriefed Indian Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon and the Joint Secretary for North (Nepal and Bhutan) Division Pankaj Saran on the status of recent talks between the Government of Nepal (GON) and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoists),according to a briefing Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Director for North (Nepal and Bhutan) Division Director Sudhakar Dalela provided PolOff. Martin was accompanied by Samuel Tamrat, Special Advisor to the United Nations Undersecretary General for Political Affairs. ¶3. (C) Although the media reported Martin discussed ways neighboring countries could provide assistance in Nepal, Dalela did not recall this topic. However, he pointed out India would like to support and work closely with the UN and reiterated that, for India, stability in the region is paramount and arms management is important in the peace process. The Nepalese daily Kantipur reported that a source from India,s MEA divulged, &There had been talks to accommodate India,s concerns about the modality of arms management in Nepal.8 Dalela revealed at this point, the UN does not have a clear plan on how to proceed. During Martin,s brief meeting, he broached the topic of how the UN would monitor the situation in Nepal. Upon returning to New York, Martin will begin formulating and defining a role for UN monitors, addressing the concerns of both the Seven Party Alliance and the Maoists. In discussions with the MEA, Martin pointed out the UN would need to consider funding and technical issues. Dalela did not elaborate further on India,s role in arms management. ¶4. (C) Dalela noted that Martin,s visit to New Delhi was very brief and to his knowledge Martin did not meet with anyone else outside of the MEA. India,s Ambassador to Nepal Shiv Shanker Muherjee also returned to New Delhi to discuss developments in Nepal with Prime Minister Singh, Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Home Minister Shivraj Patil and National Security Adviser M. K. Narayanan. ¶5. (C) COMMENT: Although brief, Martin,s visit was another reminder that India matters. Perhaps Martin was trying to feel out New Delhi for how much it believes the UN NEW DELHI 00007205 002 OF 002 matters on this. If so, he left reassured. The U.S. and India have been in close coordination on events in Kathmandu. As crunch time approaches, the U.S. needs to remain in close contact with India in order to support a meaningful role for the UN. END COMMENT. PYATT