DEMARCHE ON INTEROPERABILITY CONCERNS IN OSLO

UNCLAS KATHMANDU 000534 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MOPS PARM PREL NATO UN NP SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON INTEROPERABILITY CONCERNS IN OSLO PROCESS DELIVERED REF: SECSTATE 47101 U.S. Concerns Shared with Defense Ministry -------------- ¶1. (U) On May 8, Emboff and Defense Liaison Officer presented reftel concerns about the potentially negative impact that the proposed Oslo process treaty language regarding a ban on cluster munitions would have. They noted the possible harm to cooperation between states that join the new convention and states that do not. Ministry of Defense Secretary Barad Prasad Neupane admitted he was not very familiar with the Oslo Process, but stated he would discuss the matter with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Foreign Ministry Awaiting New Government -------------- ¶2. (U) Emboff presented the same concerns later the same day to Ministry of Foreign Affairs Under Secretary for the United Nations, International Organizations and International Law Mani Bhattarai. Bhattarai was noncommittal regarding any Government of Nepal (GON) action, noting that until a new government was formed and a new Foreign Minister took office, the GON was unlikely to take any significant decisions. (Note: Foreign Minister Sahana Pradhan resigned on April 16 along with all other ministers from the Communist Party of Nepal - United Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) after the party did poorly in the April 10 Constituent Assembly election. Prime Minister Koirala has not yet accepted the resignations, but Pradhan has not been going to the office or attending meetings. A new government may be named within the next month. End note.) BERRY