NEPAL: PEACE AND RECONSTRUCTION MINISTER POSITIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 001063 C O R R E C T E D C O P Y -- ADDED SENSITIVE CAPTION SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KSEC EAID NP SUBJECT: NEPAL: PEACE AND RECONSTRUCTION MINISTER POSITIVE ABOUT CONTINUED COOPERATION KATHMANDU 00001063 001.3 OF 002 Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Newly appointed (Maoist) Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Janardan Sharma was positive towards continued cooperation with the United States regarding the peace process during Ambassador Powell's courtesy call on September ¶5. Sharma also supported campaigns and activities to keep the public, and especially youth, engaged. Within the ministry discussions are under way regarding a Commission on Disappeared. Security concerns were acknowledged, although deflected. Cooperation on Peace Process Assistance -------------- ¶2. (SBU) During the courtesy call Minister Sharma responded positively to the Ambassador's description of U.S. assistance to Nepal's peace process and her hope that such assistance would continue. The Ambassador informed Sharma that the assistance the U.S. Agency for International Development had been providing via the Academy for Educational Development's Nepal Transition to Peace Project would end in February 2009 and we would need to talk about future programs. Sharma again expressed his appreciation for U.S. programs and a willingness to discuss future efforts. He informed the Ambassador that he had resigned his position as a People's Liberation Army Deputy Commander. And Support for Public Engagement -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Sharma announced that his ministry expected to launch a peace campaign shortly and would be encouraging debate on the constitution. Constituent Assembly members from all 25 parties represented would be encouraged to return to their constituencies, educate people about the constitution, and return with feedback. Sharma hoped a peace campaign would keep youth motivated and welcomed the Office of Transition Initiative's sponsorship of football matches with a national-level team as another way to keep youth constructively engaged. Commissions Under Discussion -------------- ¶4. (U) Sharma informed the Ambassador that discussions on a Commission on Disappearances were under way. He acknowledged the Ambassador's, and broader diplomatic community's, interest in forming the Commission on Disappeared as a prelude to a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and indicated his thoughts were along the same lines. Security Concerns Deflected -------------- ¶5. (SBU) When asked about the security situation in the country, particularly in the Terai, Sharma responded that security was the responsibility of the Home Affairs Minister. (Note: Bam Dev Gautam, of the Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist Leninist, is the Home Minister.) Nevertheless, the Ambassador mentioned her concerns about Nepali staff working on U.S.-sponsored flood recovery programs in areas flooded in 2007 who were being threatened and she urged the Government of Nepal to take steps to ensure security. Comment -------------- ¶6. (SBU) According to Sharma the new government, and the Maoists in particular, are looking to maintain a peaceful environment and benefit from a peace dividend. By seeking consensus on key issues he hopes the government will be well positioned to move forward. Sharma's positive attitude towards U.S. assistance is a good sign, and post hopes it KATHMANDU 00001063 002.2 OF 002 will be matched by his deeds. BERRY