Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08KATHMANDU1273
2008-12-11 07:42:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kathmandu
Cable title:
MAOIST SPOKESMAN SAYS INFORMATION ON U.S. EMBASSY
how-toO 110742Z DEC 08 FM AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9533 INFO AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY AMEMBASSY COLOMBO PRIORITY AMEMBASSY DHAKA PRIORITY AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY CIA WASHDC PRIORITY NSC WASHDC PRIORITY DIA WASHDC PRIORITY CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 001273
DEPT FOR SCA/FO, SCA/INS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/28/2018
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PREL NP
SUBJECT: MAOIST SPOKESMAN SAYS INFORMATION ON U.S. EMBASSY
STAFF KILLINGS FORTHCOMING
Classified By: AMBASSADOR NANCY J. POWELL FOR REASONS 1.4 (B/D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 001273
DEPT FOR SCA/FO, SCA/INS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/28/2018
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PREL NP
SUBJECT: MAOIST SPOKESMAN SAYS INFORMATION ON U.S. EMBASSY
STAFF KILLINGS FORTHCOMING
Classified By: AMBASSADOR NANCY J. POWELL FOR REASONS 1.4 (B/D)
1. (C) Summary: Maoist leadership will soon disclose
details and information regarding the 2001 and 2002 killings
of two Nepali security employees of the U.S. Mission,
according to former PLA Deputy Commander Barshaman Pun (aka
"Ananta"). Pun has been given the responsibility to make the
disclosure by Prime Minister Dahal. In an initial meeting
Dec. 10, Pun provided little direct information except to
note that the Maoists, throughout the conflict, had a strict
policy not to harm foreigners, tourists, or diplomatic
mission employees in Nepal -- including local employees. He
indicated that he would meet with the Prime Minister and with
individuals leading Maoist activities in the Kathmandu Valley
in 2001-2002 in the coming days to glean the facts. A
meeting to convey that information is now set for Monday,
December 15. End Summary.
Initial Meeting
--------------
2. (U) Deputy Chief of Mission Berry met with Barshaman Pun
(aka "Ananta") on Wednesday, December 10 to pursue greater
disclosure of information surrounding the fatal attacks on
the two employees. Deputy Consular Chief Mike Mussi
attended as translator. Pun was designated by PM Dahal
during last week's meeting with Ambassador to collect and
convey the information to the Embassy. Pun is a former
Deputy Commander in the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and is
now a sitting member of Nepal's Constituent Assembly.
Few Details, But More To Come
--------------
3. (C) Pun conveyed very little regarding the details of the
two incidents, which occurred nearly a year apart. He
acknowledged that he had yet to discuss the issue in detail
with the Prime Minister or those who had direct knowledge of
the events, but pledged to conduct those meetings and convey
the information within a few days. A second meeting has been
set for Monday, December 15. Pun noted that although he did
not presently have the details on the events or the
decision-making process behind them, he did point out that
throughout the ten-year conflict the Maoists had provided
direct guidance to all cadres that foreigners, tourists, and
employees of diplomatic missions, including Nepali employees,
were not to be harmed or targeted. He did note, however,
that there had been incidents of local Maoist commands
ignoring such guidance. He asked how in-depth the Embassy
desired the disclosure to be.
Importance of Full Disclosure
--------------
4. (C) DCM Berry underscored the importance of full
disclosure of the details surrounding the murders and what,
if any, decision-making process led to them -- as well as
reminding Pun that the Prime Minister had vowed greater
disclosure to the Ambassador on several occasions. Berry
additionally told Pun that disclosure of the information was
the first, not final, step regarding the murders -- and that
there would be a clear USG expectation that the Maoists take
responsibility and action to address the issue.
Comment
--------------
5. (C) It was disappointing that despite knowing the
importance and reason for today's meeting, Pun essentially
showed up empty-handed. However, he did spell out a plan,
including a meeting with the Prime Minister, and when asked
about his timeline for the disclosure, indicated it would
take a matter of days. He agreed to meet again on Monday,
December 15 to provide the initial information. Post will
report and consult with the Department on next steps
following that disclosure.
POWELL
DEPT FOR SCA/FO, SCA/INS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/28/2018
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PREL NP
SUBJECT: MAOIST SPOKESMAN SAYS INFORMATION ON U.S. EMBASSY
STAFF KILLINGS FORTHCOMING
Classified By: AMBASSADOR NANCY J. POWELL FOR REASONS 1.4 (B/D)
1. (C) Summary: Maoist leadership will soon disclose
details and information regarding the 2001 and 2002 killings
of two Nepali security employees of the U.S. Mission,
according to former PLA Deputy Commander Barshaman Pun (aka
"Ananta"). Pun has been given the responsibility to make the
disclosure by Prime Minister Dahal. In an initial meeting
Dec. 10, Pun provided little direct information except to
note that the Maoists, throughout the conflict, had a strict
policy not to harm foreigners, tourists, or diplomatic
mission employees in Nepal -- including local employees. He
indicated that he would meet with the Prime Minister and with
individuals leading Maoist activities in the Kathmandu Valley
in 2001-2002 in the coming days to glean the facts. A
meeting to convey that information is now set for Monday,
December 15. End Summary.
Initial Meeting
--------------
2. (U) Deputy Chief of Mission Berry met with Barshaman Pun
(aka "Ananta") on Wednesday, December 10 to pursue greater
disclosure of information surrounding the fatal attacks on
the two employees. Deputy Consular Chief Mike Mussi
attended as translator. Pun was designated by PM Dahal
during last week's meeting with Ambassador to collect and
convey the information to the Embassy. Pun is a former
Deputy Commander in the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and is
now a sitting member of Nepal's Constituent Assembly.
Few Details, But More To Come
--------------
3. (C) Pun conveyed very little regarding the details of the
two incidents, which occurred nearly a year apart. He
acknowledged that he had yet to discuss the issue in detail
with the Prime Minister or those who had direct knowledge of
the events, but pledged to conduct those meetings and convey
the information within a few days. A second meeting has been
set for Monday, December 15. Pun noted that although he did
not presently have the details on the events or the
decision-making process behind them, he did point out that
throughout the ten-year conflict the Maoists had provided
direct guidance to all cadres that foreigners, tourists, and
employees of diplomatic missions, including Nepali employees,
were not to be harmed or targeted. He did note, however,
that there had been incidents of local Maoist commands
ignoring such guidance. He asked how in-depth the Embassy
desired the disclosure to be.
Importance of Full Disclosure
--------------
4. (C) DCM Berry underscored the importance of full
disclosure of the details surrounding the murders and what,
if any, decision-making process led to them -- as well as
reminding Pun that the Prime Minister had vowed greater
disclosure to the Ambassador on several occasions. Berry
additionally told Pun that disclosure of the information was
the first, not final, step regarding the murders -- and that
there would be a clear USG expectation that the Maoists take
responsibility and action to address the issue.
Comment
--------------
5. (C) It was disappointing that despite knowing the
importance and reason for today's meeting, Pun essentially
showed up empty-handed. However, he did spell out a plan,
including a meeting with the Prime Minister, and when asked
about his timeline for the disclosure, indicated it would
take a matter of days. He agreed to meet again on Monday,
December 15 to provide the initial information. Post will
report and consult with the Department on next steps
following that disclosure.
POWELL