Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06USUNNEWYORK351
2006-02-24 21:06:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
USUN New York
Cable title:
UN SECRETARIAT AND JAPAN SUGGEST RAISING NEPAL IN
how-toVZCZCXYZ0016 OO RUEHWEB DE RUCNDT #0351 0552106 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 242106Z FEB 06 FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8070 INFO RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU IMMEDIATE 0114 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI IMMEDIATE 1228 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING IMMEDIATE 0793 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD IMMEDIATE 1043 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO IMMEDIATE 8183 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON IMMEDIATE 0959
UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000351
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV NP
SUBJECT: UN SECRETARIAT AND JAPAN SUGGEST RAISING NEPAL IN
THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL
UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000351
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV NP
SUBJECT: UN SECRETARIAT AND JAPAN SUGGEST RAISING NEPAL IN
THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL
1. (SBU) UN Undersecretary for Political Affairs Ibrahim
Gambari will raise possible UN Security Council consideration
of the political crisis in Nepal during his February 27 visit
to Washington, UN Department of Political Affairs (DPA) Asia
Political Officer Tamrat Samuel told Poloff on February 23.
Samuel argued that the recent municipal elections in Nepal,
which most of the world condemned as a sham orchestrated by
the King to perpetuate his own power, demonstrated that the
King had ignored international advice to engage Nepal's
political parties with a view to returning the country to
constitutional rule. Due to the King's intransigence, Samuel
averred, the political parties were growing much closer to
the Maoist rebels. He suggested this could ultimately
threaten the existence of the monarchy. In order to increase
pressure on the King to compromise with the parties, Samuel
argued that the international community should consider
raising Nepal in the UNSC. If an initial discussion of Nepal
in the Council does not get the King's attention, Samuel
opined that the UNSC might consider targeted sanctions
against the Nepalese regime. Asked if such a step might
embolden the Maoist rebels, Samuel averred that the world
unfortunately did not have many other options.
2. (SBU) During a meeting on February 21, Japanese diplomat
Shutaro Omura asked for USG views on UNSC consideration of
Nepal. Echoing many of Samuel's arguments, Omura opined that
the world should send a clear message to the King that he
cannot continue to rule Nepal as an autocrat. He suggested
that the Council could signal its interest in Nepal by
requesting a briefing from the Secretariat on the political
situation in the Himalayan country, an approach similar to
the one taken with regard to Burma several weeks ago. Omura
speculated that India, which has traditionally opposed UNSC
consideration of Nepal due to fears that Pakistan might then
demand Council consideration of Kashmir, might now consider
the option in the wake of the King's decision to hold
municipal elections. He emphasized that Japan is not wedded
to UNSC consideration of Nepal if the USG objects, but does
believe the international community must adopt a firmer line
with the King. Poloff agreed to convey Omura's views to
Washington and seek a response.
3. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: Post requests Department views on
UNSC consideration of Nepal.
BOLTON
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV NP
SUBJECT: UN SECRETARIAT AND JAPAN SUGGEST RAISING NEPAL IN
THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL
1. (SBU) UN Undersecretary for Political Affairs Ibrahim
Gambari will raise possible UN Security Council consideration
of the political crisis in Nepal during his February 27 visit
to Washington, UN Department of Political Affairs (DPA) Asia
Political Officer Tamrat Samuel told Poloff on February 23.
Samuel argued that the recent municipal elections in Nepal,
which most of the world condemned as a sham orchestrated by
the King to perpetuate his own power, demonstrated that the
King had ignored international advice to engage Nepal's
political parties with a view to returning the country to
constitutional rule. Due to the King's intransigence, Samuel
averred, the political parties were growing much closer to
the Maoist rebels. He suggested this could ultimately
threaten the existence of the monarchy. In order to increase
pressure on the King to compromise with the parties, Samuel
argued that the international community should consider
raising Nepal in the UNSC. If an initial discussion of Nepal
in the Council does not get the King's attention, Samuel
opined that the UNSC might consider targeted sanctions
against the Nepalese regime. Asked if such a step might
embolden the Maoist rebels, Samuel averred that the world
unfortunately did not have many other options.
2. (SBU) During a meeting on February 21, Japanese diplomat
Shutaro Omura asked for USG views on UNSC consideration of
Nepal. Echoing many of Samuel's arguments, Omura opined that
the world should send a clear message to the King that he
cannot continue to rule Nepal as an autocrat. He suggested
that the Council could signal its interest in Nepal by
requesting a briefing from the Secretariat on the political
situation in the Himalayan country, an approach similar to
the one taken with regard to Burma several weeks ago. Omura
speculated that India, which has traditionally opposed UNSC
consideration of Nepal due to fears that Pakistan might then
demand Council consideration of Kashmir, might now consider
the option in the wake of the King's decision to hold
municipal elections. He emphasized that Japan is not wedded
to UNSC consideration of Nepal if the USG objects, but does
believe the international community must adopt a firmer line
with the King. Poloff agreed to convey Omura's views to
Washington and seek a response.
3. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: Post requests Department views on
UNSC consideration of Nepal.
BOLTON