NEPAL: MAOIST LEADER CLAIMS ATTACK ON AMBASSADOR'S

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 001133 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/07/2017 TAGS: PGOV PTER KSEC NP SUBJECT: NEPAL: MAOIST LEADER CLAIMS ATTACK ON AMBASSADOR'S VEHICLE UNPLANNED REF: KATHMANDU 1036 Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (b/d) Senior Maoist Claims Attack on Ambassador's Vehicle Unplanned -------------- -------------- ¶1. (C) On June 5, Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, who is the second-most senior Maoist leader, phoned the British Deputy Chief of Mission Paul Bute, to ask that he pass two messages to the U.S. Embassy. According to Bute, Bhattarai said that the May 25 stoning by Maoist Young Communist League (YCL) activists of a UN vehicle in which the Ambassador was riding was "in no way planned" and was wrong. The senior Maoist added that his party was investigating the incident. (Note: The incident took place outside the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees ((UNHCR)) in Damak in Jhapa District. The UNHCR representative, Abraham Abraham and the Embassy's Refugee Coordinator were also present in the UNHCR vehicle. End Note.) (reftel). ... Claims YCL Not Supposed To Obstruct Diplomats' Vehicles -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) Bhattarai also asked that the British DCM inform the U.S. Embassy that the YCL was not supposed to obstruct the movement of diplomats' vehicles during Maoist "bandhs" (strikes). The Maoist indicated he was responding to the statement the Ambassador had issued June 1 as Dean of the Diplomatic Corps demanding security and safe movement for foreign diplomats. That statement (text below) did not refer specifically to Maoist activities. Comment -------------- ¶3. (C) While we have no doubt that the YCL attack on the Ambassador's vehicle was in fact planned, and put little stock in Maoist assurances, the call from Bhattarai to the British Embassy was noteworthy. At the least, it indicates that the Maoists feel compelled to react when the diplomatic corps speaks with one voice. The June 1 statement was widely publicized, so Bhattarai must have felt he had no choice but to say something. The statement also called for the Government of Nepal to ensure security and safety for diplomats. The Foreign Ministry has called in Ambassadors June 8 to address this issue. Text of June 1 Diplomatic Corps Statement -------------- ¶4. (U) Security and Safe Movement of Foreign Diplomats Must Be Assured The Diplomatic Corps of Nepal is deeply concerned by an upsurge in recent weeks of security incidents that have threatened foreign diplomats or otherwise impeded their work in the country. We condemn any and all attempts to harm, threaten, or interfere with foreign diplomats working in Nepal. Targeting or threatening diplomats in Nepal on their countries' official business is unacceptable. The Diplomatic Corps urges all political groups and activists to respect customary norms and reject violence or intimidation. We also remind the Government of Nepal of its role to ensure security and safety for diplomats. Embassy of the United States of America, June 1, 2007. End text. MORIARTY