NEPAL: DRAFT GUIDANCE AND ACTION PLAN IF ELECTION

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 001811 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR SCA/PPD AND SCA/INS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/28/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER MARR EAID KDEM KPAO UN NP SUBJECT: NEPAL: DRAFT GUIDANCE AND ACTION PLAN IF ELECTION POSTPONED UNTIL APRIL/MAY 2008 Classified By: Ambassador Nancy J. Powell. Reasons 1.4 (b/d) ¶1. (U) THIS IS AN ACTION REQUEST -- SEE PARA. 3. ¶2. (C) Prime Minister G.P. Koirala, his partners in the Interim Government and the Maoists may agree in the coming days to postpone Nepal's Constituent Assembly election, which is currently scheduled for November 22, 2007, until April or May 2007. Other less drastic alternatives are also under consideration, but the more time passes without a solution, the more likely the spring election scenario appears to be. In post's view, a five or six-month delay requires a strong, immedidate statement by the United States followed by more detailed discussion with party leaders on the way forward. Revisions will also need to be made in U.S. Government election-related programs. ¶3. (SBU) Because of the possibility that an agreement to postpone the election will be reached during the weekend of September 29-30, post requests Washington approval of the following statement: Begin Text The United States regrets today's decision by the Interim Government of Nepal to postpone the Constituent Assembly election that was scheduled for November 22, 2007 until April/May 2008. The people of Nepal have been denied the opportunity to elect representatives to decide the framework for the future Government of Nepal. It is important that all parties firmly commit themselves to meet the newly scheduled election date in the spring. The United States wishes to express its appreciation to the Election Commission which met the legal, technical and logistical challenges that the Constituent Assembly election posed. In the meantime, we would also urge the Government of Nepal, with the full support of all parties, immediately to address the key elements of the Comprehensive Peace Accord which remain unfulfilled and to implement its agreements with various ethnic groups. The months between now and the Constituent Assembly election should be used to show the people of Nepal that the Interim Government is responsive to and can be trusted to meet its commitments to make a better life for the people of this country. End Text ¶4. (C) We have begun a dialogue with key international partners on having a consistent message to all parties and Government of Nepal leaders regarding areas that should be addressed during the next six months. Following is an early draft of those areas: a. Implementation of Comprehensive Peace Accord, Arms Monitoring Agreement and agreements with ethnic minorities (1) Declaration of martyrs and provision of compensation (2) Accounting for the disappeared (3) Ensuring Nepal Army remains in the barracks except when authorized by the Government of Nepal (GON) (4) Maoist combatants paid, vetted, those not qualified discharged, and those remaining provided with improved living conditions (5) land compensation/return; no resumption of seizures by Maoists (6) revision of truth and reconciliation legislation in accordance with international standards b. Address security issues with mixture of dialogue, attention to grievances and law enforcement c. Request by GON to the UN Security Council to extend the UN Mission in Nepal mandate d. GON, with support from all Nepalis, to pay greater attention to the economy, particularly an end to "bandhs" (strikes) e. Call for respect of human rights and recognized democratic principles/practices for the election campaign. ¶5. (C) Post is reviewing U.S. Government election-related programs, including ballot printing, for actions that will need to be taken if there is a postponement. POWELL