Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07KATHMANDU855
2007-04-27 11:01:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kathmandu
Cable title:
NEW CHINESE AMBASSADOR WANTS COOPERATION ON NEPAL
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C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 000855
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/27/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER PINR ELTN CH IN NP
SUBJECT: NEW CHINESE AMBASSADOR WANTS COOPERATION ON NEPAL
Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).
Summary
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 000855
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/27/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER PINR ELTN CH IN NP
SUBJECT: NEW CHINESE AMBASSADOR WANTS COOPERATION ON NEPAL
Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).
Summary
--------------
1. (C) Newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zheng
Xianglin told the Ambassador April 27 that he wanted to see
more cooperation among China, India, and the U.S. to help
Nepal's peace process succeed. The People's Republic of
China (PRC) and the U.S. had a common interest in Nepal
achieving peace, unity among the eight political parties, and
economic development. Ambassador Zheng also raised the
importance of increased transportation links between Nepal
and the PRC. The Ambassador explained U.S. policy on Nepal
and encouraged the PRC to support an immediate declaration of
the date for a Constituent Assembly election, a Maoist
renunciation of violence, and the inclusion of marginalized
groups in Nepal's political system.
Common Interests in Nepal
--------------
2. (C) Newly appointed People's Republic of China Ambassador
to Nepal Zheng Xianglin told the Ambassador April 27 that the
U.S., India, and the People's Republic of China (PRC) had
common interests in Nepal. First, all the countries wished
to see Nepal's peace process succeed and the eight parties
working together in a successful political system. Second,
all three countries had an interest in Nepal's economic
development. Zheng mentioned that the railway running
through the Tibetan Autonomous Region may be extended to
Shigatse, closer to the China-Nepal border, making trade
between the two countries easier.
U.S. Position on Nepal
--------------
3. (C) The Ambassador stressed to Zheng the importance of
international cooperation on three main issues in Nepal.
First, the Government of Nepal (GON) needed to declare a firm
date for the Constituent Assembly election. Many people
suspected that it would be held in late November, but no date
had yet been decided. Second, the international community
needed to hold the Maoists accountable for their actions and
press them to give up violence and intimidation in the run-up
to the election. Finally, the GON needed to seriously engage
the marginalized groups that threatened to fracture Nepal
along regional or ethnic lines. Zheng recognized the
importance of all of these issues, and added that all were a
potential source of instability in Nepal. Zheng wondered
about the future of the King and predicted a hasty demise for
the monarchy; the Ambassador concurred.
Future Cooperation
--------------
4. (C) Ambassador Zheng expressed a desire to work closely
with the U.S. and India on maintaining stability in Nepal and
the region. The Ambassador explained that nothing happened
in Nepal without India's approval, and Zheng agreed.
Comment
--------------
5. (C) Zheng Xianglin is a smooth, professional diplomat (his
previous posting was as Deputy Chief of Mission in Tokyo).
We welcome his desire to continue the PRC's existing
cooperation with the U.S. and other international actors in
Nepal. The more unified the international community can be,
the more likely it becomes that the groundwork can be laid
for a successful Constituent Assembly. The United States and
the PRC do have many similar interests in Nepal, and we
intend to take full advantage of those to advance the goal of
a peaceful, prosperous, and democratic Nepal.
MORIARTY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/27/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER PINR ELTN CH IN NP
SUBJECT: NEW CHINESE AMBASSADOR WANTS COOPERATION ON NEPAL
Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).
Summary
--------------
1. (C) Newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zheng
Xianglin told the Ambassador April 27 that he wanted to see
more cooperation among China, India, and the U.S. to help
Nepal's peace process succeed. The People's Republic of
China (PRC) and the U.S. had a common interest in Nepal
achieving peace, unity among the eight political parties, and
economic development. Ambassador Zheng also raised the
importance of increased transportation links between Nepal
and the PRC. The Ambassador explained U.S. policy on Nepal
and encouraged the PRC to support an immediate declaration of
the date for a Constituent Assembly election, a Maoist
renunciation of violence, and the inclusion of marginalized
groups in Nepal's political system.
Common Interests in Nepal
--------------
2. (C) Newly appointed People's Republic of China Ambassador
to Nepal Zheng Xianglin told the Ambassador April 27 that the
U.S., India, and the People's Republic of China (PRC) had
common interests in Nepal. First, all the countries wished
to see Nepal's peace process succeed and the eight parties
working together in a successful political system. Second,
all three countries had an interest in Nepal's economic
development. Zheng mentioned that the railway running
through the Tibetan Autonomous Region may be extended to
Shigatse, closer to the China-Nepal border, making trade
between the two countries easier.
U.S. Position on Nepal
--------------
3. (C) The Ambassador stressed to Zheng the importance of
international cooperation on three main issues in Nepal.
First, the Government of Nepal (GON) needed to declare a firm
date for the Constituent Assembly election. Many people
suspected that it would be held in late November, but no date
had yet been decided. Second, the international community
needed to hold the Maoists accountable for their actions and
press them to give up violence and intimidation in the run-up
to the election. Finally, the GON needed to seriously engage
the marginalized groups that threatened to fracture Nepal
along regional or ethnic lines. Zheng recognized the
importance of all of these issues, and added that all were a
potential source of instability in Nepal. Zheng wondered
about the future of the King and predicted a hasty demise for
the monarchy; the Ambassador concurred.
Future Cooperation
--------------
4. (C) Ambassador Zheng expressed a desire to work closely
with the U.S. and India on maintaining stability in Nepal and
the region. The Ambassador explained that nothing happened
in Nepal without India's approval, and Zheng agreed.
Comment
--------------
5. (C) Zheng Xianglin is a smooth, professional diplomat (his
previous posting was as Deputy Chief of Mission in Tokyo).
We welcome his desire to continue the PRC's existing
cooperation with the U.S. and other international actors in
Nepal. The more unified the international community can be,
the more likely it becomes that the groundwork can be laid
for a successful Constituent Assembly. The United States and
the PRC do have many similar interests in Nepal, and we
intend to take full advantage of those to advance the goal of
a peaceful, prosperous, and democratic Nepal.
MORIARTY