Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KATHMANDU1152
2009-12-21 09:31:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kathmandu
Cable title:
NEPAL: STRIKE CONTINUES, MAOISTS MAY BACK DOWN
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 001152
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/20/2019
TAGS: PGOV KDEM NP
SUBJECT: NEPAL: STRIKE CONTINUES, MAOISTS MAY BACK DOWN
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i., Randy W. Berry. Reasons 1.4 (b/
d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 001152
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/20/2019
TAGS: PGOV KDEM NP
SUBJECT: NEPAL: STRIKE CONTINUES, MAOISTS MAY BACK DOWN
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i., Randy W. Berry. Reasons 1.4 (b/
d).
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The Maoist-led strike continued for a
second day, stopping virtually all vehicular traffic in the
country. The December 21 demonstrations have been largely
peaceful, although yesterday's protests turned violent in
several areas, with one policeman seriously injured. A
senior Maoist source told EmbOff that the party would likely
cancel tomorrow's planned strike, while another publicly
stated that the protests would continue. END SUMMARY.
Today's Protests Generally Peaceful
--------------
2. (SBU) The United Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist general
strike ("bandh") continued for a second day on December 21.
The Embassy is closed for normal business, although a few
employees walked to work and emergency services were
available. As of 1500 local time, the protests have been
largely peaceful and even "festive." Maoist protesters at
the intersection near the Embassy played cricket.
Damage at USAID Contractor Office
--------------
3. (SBU) A USAID-funded partner, Winrock International,
reported on December 21 that vandals damaged one computer and
destroyed files at their office in Surkhet, in the Mid-West
region. The vandals -- whom we suspect to be Maoists --
reportedly questioned why the office was open during the
strike.
Police Hurt in Incident on First Day of Strike
-------------- -
4. (SBU) During the first day of the strike (December 20),
police and Maoist protesters clashed in several places around
the country, most severely at New Baneshwor in Kathmandu. PM
Nepal passed through New Baneshwor following his return from
the Copenhagen climate change summit. Maoist protesters
seriously injured one policeman, Deputy Superintendent Dilip
Chaudhary. According to press reports, Chaudhary may have
been targeted because of his role suppressing previous Maoist
demonstrations. (Note: Post has not confirmed this report.)
Maoist protesters reportedly vandalized one ambulance,
private vehicles, and the office of the chief of Mahendra
Bindeshwori Campus.
UN, NHRC Call for Restraint
--------------
5. The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in
Nepal (OHCHR) issued a press release on December 20
expressing "serious concern" about the violence and the use
of "excessive force" by the police at New Baneshwor following
the attack on its officer (statement emailed to SCA/INS).
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) urged the Maoists
to call off the strike and restrain its activities.
Final Day of Strike Canceled?
--------------
6. (C) According to Maoist Central Committee member Krishna
Bahardu Mahara, the Maoists are considering canceling the
third day of protests, scheduled for December 22, as a
"goodwill gesture." Mahara told EmbOff on the phone that the
Maoist Central Committee would meet in the afternoon of
December 21 to make a final decision on ending the strike.
Mahara also strongly hinted that the party may allow
Parliament to resume operations later this week. (Note:
except for allowing the budget the pass, the Maoists have
essentially blocked Parliament from functioning since May.)
If the Maoists reopen Parliament, Mahara said it would be a
"unilateral" decision to demonstrate their commitment to
democracy. Despite Mahara's private comments, fellow Maoist
leader Baburum Bhattarai said publicly December 21 that the
protests would continue for the third day unless the other
political parties addressed Maoist demands. (Comment: these
conflicting statements may reflect divisions within the
Maoist leadership on strategy. End Comment.)
No Talks for the Moment
KATHMANDU 00001152 002 OF 002
--------------
7. (SBU) Senior Nepali Congress and Communist Party of
Nepal-United Marxist-Leninist (UML) leaders told EmbOffs that
the political talks between the Maoists and government
remained bogged down, and that the three-party political
"task force" was not scheduled to meet until December 26.
Comment
--------------
8. (C) Yesterday's violent clashes between the police and
Maoists are disturbing, and demonstrate how quickly events
can spiral out of control. Both sides appear of have stepped
back for now, and reports that the Maoists will cancel the
final day of the protests -- and perhaps reopen parliament --
are encouraging if true. The current round of protests
underscores the importance of pressing the parties to resume
serious dialogue and bringing Nepal's peace process to its
conclusion.
BERRY
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/20/2019
TAGS: PGOV KDEM NP
SUBJECT: NEPAL: STRIKE CONTINUES, MAOISTS MAY BACK DOWN
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i., Randy W. Berry. Reasons 1.4 (b/
d).
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The Maoist-led strike continued for a
second day, stopping virtually all vehicular traffic in the
country. The December 21 demonstrations have been largely
peaceful, although yesterday's protests turned violent in
several areas, with one policeman seriously injured. A
senior Maoist source told EmbOff that the party would likely
cancel tomorrow's planned strike, while another publicly
stated that the protests would continue. END SUMMARY.
Today's Protests Generally Peaceful
--------------
2. (SBU) The United Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist general
strike ("bandh") continued for a second day on December 21.
The Embassy is closed for normal business, although a few
employees walked to work and emergency services were
available. As of 1500 local time, the protests have been
largely peaceful and even "festive." Maoist protesters at
the intersection near the Embassy played cricket.
Damage at USAID Contractor Office
--------------
3. (SBU) A USAID-funded partner, Winrock International,
reported on December 21 that vandals damaged one computer and
destroyed files at their office in Surkhet, in the Mid-West
region. The vandals -- whom we suspect to be Maoists --
reportedly questioned why the office was open during the
strike.
Police Hurt in Incident on First Day of Strike
-------------- -
4. (SBU) During the first day of the strike (December 20),
police and Maoist protesters clashed in several places around
the country, most severely at New Baneshwor in Kathmandu. PM
Nepal passed through New Baneshwor following his return from
the Copenhagen climate change summit. Maoist protesters
seriously injured one policeman, Deputy Superintendent Dilip
Chaudhary. According to press reports, Chaudhary may have
been targeted because of his role suppressing previous Maoist
demonstrations. (Note: Post has not confirmed this report.)
Maoist protesters reportedly vandalized one ambulance,
private vehicles, and the office of the chief of Mahendra
Bindeshwori Campus.
UN, NHRC Call for Restraint
--------------
5. The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in
Nepal (OHCHR) issued a press release on December 20
expressing "serious concern" about the violence and the use
of "excessive force" by the police at New Baneshwor following
the attack on its officer (statement emailed to SCA/INS).
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) urged the Maoists
to call off the strike and restrain its activities.
Final Day of Strike Canceled?
--------------
6. (C) According to Maoist Central Committee member Krishna
Bahardu Mahara, the Maoists are considering canceling the
third day of protests, scheduled for December 22, as a
"goodwill gesture." Mahara told EmbOff on the phone that the
Maoist Central Committee would meet in the afternoon of
December 21 to make a final decision on ending the strike.
Mahara also strongly hinted that the party may allow
Parliament to resume operations later this week. (Note:
except for allowing the budget the pass, the Maoists have
essentially blocked Parliament from functioning since May.)
If the Maoists reopen Parliament, Mahara said it would be a
"unilateral" decision to demonstrate their commitment to
democracy. Despite Mahara's private comments, fellow Maoist
leader Baburum Bhattarai said publicly December 21 that the
protests would continue for the third day unless the other
political parties addressed Maoist demands. (Comment: these
conflicting statements may reflect divisions within the
Maoist leadership on strategy. End Comment.)
No Talks for the Moment
KATHMANDU 00001152 002 OF 002
--------------
7. (SBU) Senior Nepali Congress and Communist Party of
Nepal-United Marxist-Leninist (UML) leaders told EmbOffs that
the political talks between the Maoists and government
remained bogged down, and that the three-party political
"task force" was not scheduled to meet until December 26.
Comment
--------------
8. (C) Yesterday's violent clashes between the police and
Maoists are disturbing, and demonstrate how quickly events
can spiral out of control. Both sides appear of have stepped
back for now, and reports that the Maoists will cancel the
final day of the protests -- and perhaps reopen parliament --
are encouraging if true. The current round of protests
underscores the importance of pressing the parties to resume
serious dialogue and bringing Nepal's peace process to its
conclusion.
BERRY