Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06OSLO427
2006-04-04 14:35:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Oslo
Cable title:
NORWAY'S ROLE IN NEPAL
how-toVZCZCXYZ0005 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHNY #0427 0941435 ZNY CCCCC ZUI RUEHSD#0158 H/W ZDS P 041435Z APR 06 FM AMEMBASSY OSLO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3736 INFO RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU PRIORITY 0112 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 0405
C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 000427
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/04/2016
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV PTER IN NP NO
SUBJECT: NORWAY'S ROLE IN NEPAL
REF: KATHMANDU 814
Classified By: Pol/Econ Counselor Mike Hammer, reason 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 000427
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/04/2016
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV PTER IN NP NO
SUBJECT: NORWAY'S ROLE IN NEPAL
REF: KATHMANDU 814
Classified By: Pol/Econ Counselor Mike Hammer, reason 1.4 (b) and (d)
1.(C) Summary. Norway continues to play a visible role in
Nepal by advocating discussions between the Nepali governing
monarchy and rival political factions. Although not wishing
to pursue the course of an interventionist third party,
Norway brings Nepali parties together through
information-sharing opportunities (such as the March 2006
Kathmandu Conference and Roundtable Talks). Norway also
places high value on maintaining strong bilateral ties with
India, which will ultimately determine the extent of its
Nepal involvement. End summary.
Keen to Advance Open Dialogue
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
2.(C) On April 4 we met with Tore Hattrem, Deputy Director
General of the Peace and Reconciliation Section at the MFA.
While outlining Norway's existing (and future) involvement in
Nepal, he emphasized that Norway would not become
"interventionist," similar to its mediation role in Sri Lanka
and the Philippines. He envisioned Norway continuing to
gather together the governing monarchy and rival political
parties of Nepal, while encouraging open dialogue. This
approach would resemble Norway's recent role as host of the
March 5-6 Conference in Kathmandu and the March 27 Kathmandu
Roundtable (reftel).
3.(C) Hattrem, who chaired a break-out session on conflict
resolution during the March 27 Roundtable, felt the recent
meeting was successful. He restated the Norwegian goal was to
"leave our experiences with the audience" so that they could
be "ignited" from their own internal discussions. Hattrem
believed that the Roundtable participants (which mostly
included political group members and not governmental
representatives) reached consensus on a variety of issues.
First, the Nepali participants favored (and believed
possible) a monitored cease-fire with the Marxists.
Additionally, participants concluded that a new interim
government (elected by the "popular will") was needed.
Finally, a constitutional change was favored (e.g. resulting
in a form of national assembly).
What About Forming a "Like-Minded" Group?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
4.(C) Ultimately, Hattrem sees Norway organizing a group
consisting of several countries with a "like-minded" approach
to Nepal. These countries, likely including Switzerland and
Finland, would direct the Nepalis involved in the political
process to "shape-up" and "take responsibility." He
characterized the U.S. and Norwegian foreign policies
concerning Nepal as similar, except that he sees the U.S. as
encouraging Nepal's rival political parties to align
themselves with the ruling monarchy (and against the Maoist
insurgents). He also pointed out that although Norway is not
dealing with the Maoists (noting the illegal status of these
insurgents),he envisioned a point when the insurgents would
eventually need to join any peace talks.
India Must Be On Board
- - - - - - - - - - - -
5.(C) Hattrem spoke at length about Norway's intent to keep
India informed of the Norwegian efforts in Nepal (including
various meetings in Oslo with the Indian Ambassador). He
noted India's certain objection to a direct mediation role of
any third-party country. Citing the importance of
Indian-Norwegian bilateral relations, Hattrem revealed that
Norway would "yield" its involvement in Nepal should India
object.
Comment
- - - -
6.(C) Norway's intensified efforts in Nepal reflect the new
left-of-center government's more activist foreign policy and
keen interest in highlighting Norway's role as an
international mediator. As Norway moves forward with these
and other mediation efforts, we have asked that they consult
closely with us and therefore, we are pleased that they
briefed us fully both in Kathmandu and here. With this in
mind, if we are comfortable with a Norwegian role in Nepal,
we should engage them because they do have mediation
expertise and can bring important monetary resources to the
table.
Visit Oslo's Classified website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/oslo/index.cf m
WHITNEY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/04/2016
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV PTER IN NP NO
SUBJECT: NORWAY'S ROLE IN NEPAL
REF: KATHMANDU 814
Classified By: Pol/Econ Counselor Mike Hammer, reason 1.4 (b) and (d)
1.(C) Summary. Norway continues to play a visible role in
Nepal by advocating discussions between the Nepali governing
monarchy and rival political factions. Although not wishing
to pursue the course of an interventionist third party,
Norway brings Nepali parties together through
information-sharing opportunities (such as the March 2006
Kathmandu Conference and Roundtable Talks). Norway also
places high value on maintaining strong bilateral ties with
India, which will ultimately determine the extent of its
Nepal involvement. End summary.
Keen to Advance Open Dialogue
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
2.(C) On April 4 we met with Tore Hattrem, Deputy Director
General of the Peace and Reconciliation Section at the MFA.
While outlining Norway's existing (and future) involvement in
Nepal, he emphasized that Norway would not become
"interventionist," similar to its mediation role in Sri Lanka
and the Philippines. He envisioned Norway continuing to
gather together the governing monarchy and rival political
parties of Nepal, while encouraging open dialogue. This
approach would resemble Norway's recent role as host of the
March 5-6 Conference in Kathmandu and the March 27 Kathmandu
Roundtable (reftel).
3.(C) Hattrem, who chaired a break-out session on conflict
resolution during the March 27 Roundtable, felt the recent
meeting was successful. He restated the Norwegian goal was to
"leave our experiences with the audience" so that they could
be "ignited" from their own internal discussions. Hattrem
believed that the Roundtable participants (which mostly
included political group members and not governmental
representatives) reached consensus on a variety of issues.
First, the Nepali participants favored (and believed
possible) a monitored cease-fire with the Marxists.
Additionally, participants concluded that a new interim
government (elected by the "popular will") was needed.
Finally, a constitutional change was favored (e.g. resulting
in a form of national assembly).
What About Forming a "Like-Minded" Group?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
4.(C) Ultimately, Hattrem sees Norway organizing a group
consisting of several countries with a "like-minded" approach
to Nepal. These countries, likely including Switzerland and
Finland, would direct the Nepalis involved in the political
process to "shape-up" and "take responsibility." He
characterized the U.S. and Norwegian foreign policies
concerning Nepal as similar, except that he sees the U.S. as
encouraging Nepal's rival political parties to align
themselves with the ruling monarchy (and against the Maoist
insurgents). He also pointed out that although Norway is not
dealing with the Maoists (noting the illegal status of these
insurgents),he envisioned a point when the insurgents would
eventually need to join any peace talks.
India Must Be On Board
- - - - - - - - - - - -
5.(C) Hattrem spoke at length about Norway's intent to keep
India informed of the Norwegian efforts in Nepal (including
various meetings in Oslo with the Indian Ambassador). He
noted India's certain objection to a direct mediation role of
any third-party country. Citing the importance of
Indian-Norwegian bilateral relations, Hattrem revealed that
Norway would "yield" its involvement in Nepal should India
object.
Comment
- - - -
6.(C) Norway's intensified efforts in Nepal reflect the new
left-of-center government's more activist foreign policy and
keen interest in highlighting Norway's role as an
international mediator. As Norway moves forward with these
and other mediation efforts, we have asked that they consult
closely with us and therefore, we are pleased that they
briefed us fully both in Kathmandu and here. With this in
mind, if we are comfortable with a Norwegian role in Nepal,
we should engage them because they do have mediation
expertise and can bring important monetary resources to the
table.
Visit Oslo's Classified website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/oslo/index.cf m
WHITNEY