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