Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08KATHMANDU1063
2008-09-22 09:36:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kathmandu
Cable title:
NEPAL: PEACE AND RECONSTRUCTION MINISTER POSITIVE
how-toVZCZCXRO0076 OO RUEHCI DE RUEHKT #1063/01 2660936 ZNR UUUUU ZZH ZDS O 220936Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9242 INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 6669 RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO PRIORITY 6964 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA PRIORITY 2272 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 5010 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 6205 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 2660 RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA PRIORITY 0209 RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA PRIORITY 4328 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 2176 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 3333 RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHMFIUU/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
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
-------
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
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