FORMER FOREIGN MINISTER OPPOSED TO LEFT ALLIANCE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 001247 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/25/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PINR KDEM NP SUBJECT: FORMER FOREIGN MINISTER OPPOSED TO LEFT ALLIANCE WITH MAOISTS Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) In a meeting with the Ambassador on June 22, Communist Party of Nepal - United Marxist Leninist (UML) leader and former Foreign Minister K.P. Oli stressed that the center-left UML would reject any attempt at an alliance with the Maoists. Oli was critical of both Home Minister Sitaula (Nepali Congress) and Foreign Minister Pradhan (UML),but admitted that, due to his own pressing health problems, he would likely have to remain on the sidelines of Nepal's political developments for the next two months. No UML Alliance with Maoists -------------- ¶2. (C) Former Foreign Minister (and Former Deputy Prime Minister) K.P. Oli was scathing in his criticism of continuing Maoist violence during a meeting with the Ambassador on June 22. Oli also repeated previous criticism of the Seven-Party Alliance's decision to allocate the Maoists 83 seats in the Interim Parliament -- on par with his own Communist Party of Nepal - United Marxist Leninist (UML). He thought that 30-40 seats might have been justified. In response to a question from the Ambassador, Oli answered emphatically that the UML would not support a left alliance with the Maoists before the Constituent Assembly election. He stressed that he and his party would stand with the other democratic parties; they would not hand over power to the Maoists. Critical of Other Ministers -------------- ¶3. (C) Oli stated bluntly that he had found Home Minister Sitaula (Nepali Congress) to be "incapable." Rather than mandating that the rule of law be enforced, Sitaula had ignored and seemingly accepted rampant Maoist violations of the peace accord. Oli was also dismissive of Sahana Pradhan, his successor as Foreign Minister -- and UML colleague. Although he had offered her his assistance, she had never called him. Oli said that she had no sway within the UML. He added that she appeared to have done no work since taking office April 1, but Oli agreed with the Ambassador that she might therefore have done no harm. Carter Visit and the Future of the Monarchy -------------- ¶4. (C) The UML leader asked why it had been necessary for former President Carter to meet with Maoist chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal (aka Prachanda) during Mr. Carter's recent visit to Nepal. The Ambassador explained that Mr. Carter had met with many non-democratic leaders over the years. Mr. Carter was of the belief that it was better to talk to all of the parties in a conflict, regardless of their views. With respect to the June 12 amendment of the Interim Constitution, Oli ventured that, given that the Interim Parliament was not a properly elected body, it did not have the right to decide the future of the monarchy. Facing Serious Health Issues -------------- ¶5. (C) The former Foreign Minister told the Ambassador that both of his kidneys were badly damaged. Without a transplant very soon, he would not survive. Oli said he had been making arrangements to go to India, or possibly Bangkok, for the operation. He had been trying to keep his search for a kidney donor within his family and relatively private. After one month of treatment and one month of rest, however, he expected to be able to get back to work. (Note: Oli is a Member of the Interim Parliament and the UML's Central Committee and its core Standing Committee.) KATHMANDU 00001247 002 OF 002 Comment -------------- ¶6. (C) The Ambassador began the meeting by giving Oli a letter of appreciation from Secretary Rice for his service as Foreign Minister. Oli was appreciative and joked that he would show the letter to Maoist chief Pushpa Dahal. Joking aside, the former Foreign Minister has no love for the Maoists. We are confident he will use his influence to help ensure that the UML resists the siren song of the far-left members in its ranks to join forces with the Maoists. The party's Central Committee, of which Oli is a leading member, is holding a several-day session in Kathmandu at present to plan for the upcoming election. Even with his poor health, Oli's voice is one that cannot easily be ignored. MORIARTY