HOME MINISTER TRYING TO MAINTAIN LAW AND ORDER

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 001613

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/27/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PREF EAID KSEC KDEM BT NP
SUBJECT: HOME MINISTER TRYING TO MAINTAIN LAW AND ORDER

KATHMANDU 00001613 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: Classified By: Ambassador Nancy J. Powell. Reasons 1.4
(b/d).

Summary
--------------


1. (C) On August 23 Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula
told the Ambassador that the violent activities of the
Maoists and of Madhesi splinter groups in the Terai were
among many challenges to the Constituent Assembly election.
Sitaula said that the Government of Nepal (GON) was
attempting to re-start a dialogue with the Terai groups but
acknowledged that election security would be difficult in 5
or 6 districts in the Terai if the splinter groups remained
unwilling to enter into a dialogue. The Home Minister
stressed that the peace process had reached a critical stage;
transforming the Maoists into a peaceful political party was
proving difficult. The Ambassador requested the Ministry's
cooperation with a U.S. senior police in Nepal to determine
the best use of U.S. funds to support the GON's election
security efforts and requested the Ministry's cooperation.
The Ambassador told Sitaula that the U.S. wanted to move
forward with the Bhutanese refugee resettlement program and
looked forward to the Home Ministry providing the necessary
additional security in the camps.

Challenges to Election Security
--------------


2. (C) On August 23 during her first meeting with Home
Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula, the Ambassador stressed that
the Home Ministry had a huge role to play in securing a free
and fair Constituent Assembly election and that the U.S.
wanted to support the Ministry's efforts to ensure a secure
election. Sitaula stated that there were many challenges to
law and order; the most significant being the continuing
violent behavior and threats of the Maoist and of the Madhesi
splinter groups in the Terai. The Home Minister explained
that the Government of Nepal (GON) was trying to restart a
dialogue with the Terai groups, but commented that he was not
sure they were willing to participate in talks. Sitaula
noted that the violent Madhesi groups all shared a Maoist
background, making it more difficult to bring them into a
dialogue. Sitaula noted that it would be very difficult to
hold the elections in five or six districts in the Terai if
these groups refused to negotiate.

Peace Process at Critical Point
--------------


3. (C) The Home Minister stressed that the peace process had
reached a critical point. He stated that the Maoists were
trying to "disturb" the situation and that a
"misunderstanding" had arisen between the Maoists and the
parties. However, Sitaula also acknowledged that there was
discord among the Seven-Party Alliance. The Home Minister
stated that he believed the situation was changing and that
there was a "new scenario." When questioned, the Home
Minister stated that it was very difficult to transform a
"left force," i.e. the Maoists, into a peaceful group capable
of cooperating in a democratic government. In response to
the Ambassador's concerns about the Maoist threats to derail
the peace process and the election, the Home Minister
responded that the Maoists did not have the support of the
people.

U.S. Offers Election Security Support
--------------


4. (C) The Ambassador informed the Home Minister a U.S.
senior police advisor was now here in Nepal assessing how
U.S. funds (International Narcotics and Law Enforcement
funds) could best support the GON's election security
efforts. She also emphasized the need for the Home
Ministry's cooperation in executing of Letter of Agreement
outlining the use of the funds.

Resettlement Program Must Move Forward
--------------


KATHMANDU 00001613 002.2 OF 002



5. (C) The Ambassador reaffirmed that the U.S. was very
interested in moving forward with the Bhutanese refugee
resettlement program. She stressed that security in the
refugee camps was a major concern and thanked the Home
Minister for his commitment to provide additional security
forces in the camps. The police posts needed to be
established as quickly as possible.

Concern Regarding Forceful Return of Tibetan Refugee
-------------- --------------


6. (C) The Ambassador told Sitaula that Washington had shown
concern regarding the recent refoulement of a Tibetan
refugee. The Home Minister assured the Ambassador that
Nepal's policy regarding Tibetan refugees had not changed and
would remain consistent in the future.

Comment
--------------


7. (C) The Home Minister's vague talk about a "new" scenario
with the Maoists seemed to imply that even he is having
concerns about the Maoists' willingness to deliver on their
promises. Although Sitaula is no longer formally the
Seven-Party Alliance's chief peace negotiator, in practice he
still fulfills that role at times with respect to the
Maoists. He probably also recognizes that his own political
fate is closely tied to theirs. The Maoists continuing use
of violence undermines his own already tenuous political
position. Rumors abound that Sitaula may be relieved of duty
in the next cabinet reshuffle.
POWELL