NEPAL WOULD PARTICIPATE IN UNAMID-RELATED TRAINING

UNCLAS KATHMANDU 000500 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR PM/PPA - JENNIFER L. HANLEY, INL AND SCA/INS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MARR MASS KTIA IT NP SUBJECT: NEPAL WOULD PARTICIPATE IN UNAMID-RELATED TRAINING ONLY IF FULLY FUNDED REF: STATE 42003 Foreign Ministry Pessimistic About Participation -------------- --- ¶1. (SBU) The Government of Nepal (GON) is unlikely to accept the reftel invitation for trainers of formed police units (FPU) assigned to the United Nations - African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) to participate in a course sponsored by the Center of Excellence for Stability Police Units (COESPU) in Vicenza, Italy, in July. The GON is unable to cover travel expenses. On April 25, Rudra Nepal, Under Secretary for UN and International Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responded favorably to the offered course but told Emboff that lack of funds would prevent his country's participation. Police Decline Invitation -------------- ¶2. (SBU) On April 28, post's Senior Law Enforcement Adviser extended the invitation to Ramesh Chand Thakuri, Deputy Inspector General of the Nepal Police (NP),and Amber Newbang, Additional Inspector General of Police in the Armed Police Force (APF). Thakuri and Nembang declined the invitation and said the GON would approve participation in COESPU training only if it did not have to bear any travel costs or other expenses. The NP and APF do not have any funds available to send delegates to the course, but they are hopeful that the U.S.-funded civilian police training initiative through INL would provide sufficient training of trainers as well as continued pre-deployment training for FPUs. Thakuri and Nembang added that they would be happy to send people to Vicenza if the U.S. were to cover all expenses, including travel. BERRY