IAN MARTIN BRIEFS SECURITY COUNCIL ON NEPAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000924

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/24/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC NP
SUBJECT: IAN MARTIN BRIEFS SECURITY COUNCIL ON NEPAL


Classified By: AMBASSADOR ALEX WOLFF, FOR REASONS 1.4 B/D


1. (C) Summary: During an October 25 update for the Security
Council, Ian Martin, Special Representative of the
Secretary-General and head of the UN Mission in Nepal

SIPDIS
(UNMIN),told Council members that the recent postponement of
Constitutional Assembly elections had thrust Nepal into "the
most critical and dangerous" moment of its peace process. In
response to questions, Martin stated that UNMIN,s limited
mandate did not allow the UN to engage on the root causes of
Nepal,s political turmoil. Member states were unanimous in
expressing their disappointment regarding the postponement of
elections. There were varying degrees of willingness by
members to consider expanding UNMIN,s mandate, but all
accepted the need for renewal when its mandate expires in
January. Separately, the Indian mission told USUN that India
accepts that the elections delay means that UNMIN,s mandate
will need to be renewed, but firmly rejects the prospect of
any expansion before the holding of elections. The Indian
PermRep also expressed concern over what he deemed was a soft
line by Martin towards the Maoists. End summary.

BRIEFING THE SECURITY COUNCIL


2. (SBU) Martin presented the Council with a political update
focusing on the second postponement of Constituent Assembly
elections. He opined that a realistic new date would be in
the early spring, attributing the delay in part to weather.
Although there have been many breaches of the agreements
signed between the government and Maoists, Martin said there
have not been any incidents between the two armies. However,
he warned that the cantonment of Maoists was a temporary
measure, and the longer their situation remained unsettled,
the greater the chance of a breakdown in the Comprehensive
Peace Agreement. Martin highlighted the major challenges
facing Nepal: a general failure by both parties to implement
commitments, a growing climate of distrust among the
political parties, a demoralized and weak police force, and
the demands of traditionally marginalized groups, including
in the Terai region.


3. (SBU) In the face of these pressing issues, Martin said
that the Nepalese have high expectations for the UN,s role,
despite its limited mandate. He said PM Koirala and other
political leaders support a renewal of UNMIN,s mandate.
Martin added that civil society groups, some political
leaders and some Council members support an expansion of
UNMIN,s mandate as follows: 1) a greater role in encouraging
the implementation of commitments made by all sides; 2) a
greater focus on security sector reform; and 3) advising
Nepal on security for the elections period.


4. (SBU) In response to Martin's presentation, all Council
members expressed disappointment with the postponement of
elections, and called on Nepalese political leaders to make
the difficult decisions necessary to proceed to elections.
The UK, Belgium, France and Italy all expressed explicit
support for an expansion of UNMIN,s mandate. China and
Russia noted Martin,s call to expand the mandate, and said
they would carefully consider what had been said. Both
emphasized that they would look to the Nepalese government to
officially request an extension of the UNMIN mandate and to
request an expansion, if so desired. The Council "must
respect Nepal,s will," concluded the Chinese PermRep.
Ambassador Khalilzad expressed U.S. concern regarding
postponement of the elections, and urged members to consider
contributing to democracy promotion efforts within Nepal.

INDIANS CONCERNED ABOUT UNMIN, SRSG MARTIN


5. (C) Separately, in advance of the Council discussion of
the situation in Nepal, Ambassadors Khalilzad and Wolff were
approached by the Indian PermRep. The Indian PermRep
emphasized that India did not support an expansion of the UN
mandate, and expressed concern about India's view that Martin
is not being sufficiently forceful in insisting to the
Nepalese that the elections be held on schedule. He alleged
that India believes Martin is "too soft" with the Maoists.
Indian Political Counselor Vikram Doraiswami told POLOFF
that India might be amenable to an expanded or refocused
UNMIN mandate, but is only prepared to consider such a change
after elections take place. They fear that an expansion of
the UNMIN mandate at this juncture would decrease the
pressure on the Nepalese political parties to hold elections.
The Nepalese PermRep also told Ambassador Wolff that Nepal
would support a renewal but was not seeking an expansion of
the UNMIN mandate. The Indian mission is also conveying this
message to other Council delegations.
Khalilzad