NEPAL: U.S. MISSION VISIT TO MORANG AND

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 000342 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV EAID KWMN KHIV KDEM NP SUBJECT: NEPAL: U.S. MISSION VISIT TO MORANG AND SUNSARI DISTRICT FOCUSES ON ELECTIONS AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS Summary -------------- ¶1. (U) During a recent two-day visit to Biratnagar and neighboring Sunsari District in the eastern Terai region of Nepal, the Ambassador and USAID Mission Director discussed electoral preparations and the security context with local government officials and domestic election observers. They also visited USAID field sites for community-based neo-natal care, a womenQs micro-credit group receiving leadership training, and a community- outreach radio program. Accompanied by the country representative for UNICEF, the delegation visited two UNICEF-funded projects benefiting women and children in the two districts. Election Preparations Under Way -------------- ¶2. (U) In the course of a March 16-18 trip to Biratnagar, the capital of Morang District, and to neighboring Sunsari District, the Ambassador and USAID Mission Director met with local government officials, representatives of a domestic election monitoring alliance and ordinary citizens to get a personal impression of the poll preparations and security environment in the volatile Eastern Terai region. The local authorities, including the District Election Officers in both districts, claimed that the preparations for the upcoming Constituent Assembly elections are on track. The Chief District Officers and representatives of the police and armed police in both districts claimed to be making progress in improving the law-and-order situation by arresting criminal elements. However, all expressed some concern about the threats by armed groups from the Indian border areas to disrupt the polls if the government does not bring them to the negotiating table. ¶3. (U) There were visible indications of campaigning by all the major parties, including the newly registered Madhesi regional parties. Each of the four villages visited by the Ambassador and the USAID Mission Director had heard about the election date and expressed enthusiasm to participate in the poll. However, most people had a poor understanding of the voting process and the new, mixed election system. In addition, most people expected a quick announcement of election results. Even the local officials and domestic election observers anticipated election results in two or three days, whereas the Election Commission has indicated to post that it is expecting to require a minimum of three weeks to finalize the election results. Improving the Health of Disadvantaged Communities -------------- -------------- ¶4. (U) The Ambassador and USAID Mission Director also visited a number of USAID and UNICEF-funded community programs, most of which focused on the health and welfare of women and children in the poorest and most disadvantaged social groups. In two separate Dalit, or QuntouchableQ villages, USAID and UNICEF are supporting, respectively, a community- based intervention to treat bacterial infections in newborns and a womenQs group to develop local strategies to improve nutrition, hygiene, and access to education for their children. In close collaboration with the local health and development offices, both projects are showing impressive results in improving social indicators, such as maternal and child mortality and child malnutrition. The Ambassador also accompanied the Country Director of UNICEF to a Working ChildrenQs Club in Biratnagar, which receives UNICEF assistance to promote child rights. Reaching Out Through Radio KATHMANDU 00000342 002 OF 002 -------------- ¶5. (U) The delegation visited the site of a community-radio outreach program, supported by USAIDQs Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI). The radio program, named QPeace Traveler,Q visits three villages a week to record community discussions on topics related to the peace process and Constituent Assembly elections. The questions and comments of local people, representing all castes and ethnic groups, are recorded and transformed into a radio program. A local expert, often a representative of the local administration, answers the questions posed by the community and the program is translated and broadcast in two languages: Maithili, one of the dominant languages of the Eastern Terai, and Nepali. In this way, both Maithili and Nepali-speaking communities can learn what issues and questions the other linguistic community is posing. The radio program has been wildly popular for giving a voice to local communities and providing a critical link between communities and local government. Comment -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Since the agreement between the Government and Madhesi parties at the end of February, the climate for election preparations has improved dramatically in the Eastern Terai. However, the hurdles to a peaceful election process are still high. The potential impact of the armed groups is a factor that could disrupt campaigning and keep fearful voters away from the polls on election day. The short timeframe to put all the election machinery in place is likely to have a negative impact on the efficacy and reach of voter education. Misconceptions about the time required to finalize election results could also increase tensions in the immediate post-election period. Despite the uncertain political environment, it is encouraging to see that development programs are under way which are having visible impacts in the most disadvantaged communities. In the post-election environment, the challenge will be to step up these development efforts so the people of the Terai see the benefits of peaceful participation in mainstream politics, rather than choosing more radical political solutions. POWELL