UNMIN/P-5 CONCERN OVER NEPALI LACK OF PROGRESS ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 000243 DEPT FOR SCA/FO, SCA/INS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/24/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR PTER UN NP SUBJECT: UNMIN/P-5 CONCERN OVER NEPALI LACK OF PROGRESS ON KEY PEACE ISSUES REF: KATHMANDU 239 Classified By: AMBASSADOR NANCY J. POWELL FOR REASONS 1.4 (B/D) ¶1. (C) Summary. French, Chinese, and American Ambassadors along with the UK and Russian Deputy Chiefs of Mission met March 23 for a briefing by UNMIN chief Karin Landgren on her recent consultations and to discuss the lack of progress on key peace issues. UNMIN's mid-term report will be published in New York on April 20, with a mid-term Security Council review to be scheduled after April 27. She remains optimistic that there can be some progress in the next three weeks before the mid-term report is due. In response to a suggestion from the UK charge that the P-5 make a joint demarche to the GON to encourage action on the peace process, the Chinese and Russian representatives demurred. It was decided that each nation would make its own representation to the GON. End Summary. ¶2. (C) French, Chinese, and American Ambassadors along with the UK and Russian Deputy Chiefs of Mission met March 23 for a briefing by UNMIN chief Karin Landgren on her recent consultations in New York and to discuss the lack of progress on key peace issues. Landgren reported that in addition to gaining approval of UNMIN's budget, she had also briefed UN principals. A "note of concern" is being prepared for the Secretary General which will highlight the lack of progress on discharge of the minors and non-combatants, the recent controversies over both Nepal Army (NA) and People's Liberation Army (PLA) recruitment campaigns, and the poor state of political discourse in Nepal. ¶3. (C) UNMIN's mid-term report will be published in New York on April 20, with a mid-term Security Council review to be scheduled after April 27. In addition, the annual report on children and conflict will be released on April 15 and will list the Maoist party as a violator. The Security Council briefing by the special representative will be held on April 30. Each of these reports and meetings is expected to highlight the lack of progress on discharge of minors and integration/rehabilitation of Maoist combatants. ¶4. (C) Prior to her departure for New York on March 3, Landgren met with both Prime Minister Dahal and Defence Minister Thapa. Both assured her of the GON commitment to discharge the minors and non-combatants and to stop recruitment by the PLA. Landgren indicated that recruitment has now halted although it continued for some time after her meeting with the PM. The PLA received thousands of applications, which were accompanied by a five rupee fee and which have raised expectations, particularly among the non-combatants that they will be inducted into the PLA. ¶5. (C) Landgren reported that PLA commanders have flip flopped several times in their attitude toward discharge of the minors and non-combatants. They are currently in favor of an immediate discharge. Efforts to engage with the Peace Ministry, which has been tasked with implementing the Special Committee's decision to go forward with the discharge, have been stymied. Landgren hoped to meet with ministry officials March 24 to establish a framework for cooperation with UNDP and UNICEF which would permit visits to the cantonments and ensure a viable process that would guarantee independent and informed choices. She remains optimistic that there can be some progress in the next three weeks before the mid-term report is due. ¶6. (C) Citing more regular meetings as evidence, Landgren indicated progress is being made by the Army Integration Special Committee (AISC). She hoped that the Technical Committee could be formed shortly and that it would visit the cantonments. She expressed concern that the Peace Ministry, which has been assigned to provide secretariat support for the AISC, does not have sufficient personnel and resources to carry out its task. She encouraged P-5 members to explore methods of providing discrete assistance. ¶7. (C) In response to a question on the impact of a controversy concerning the non-extension of eight NA brigadier generals, Landgren indicated her sources believe the issue will "blow over in a couple days". She has encouraged the NA and MOD to develop better communications channels. (Comment: post does not share this view. Even if the immediate controversy is contained, the fallout is likely to haunt the peace process.) Landgren intends to refer any request from the PLA for funding and permission to undertake development programming to the Special Committee. ¶8. (C) In response to a suggestion from the UK charge that the P-5 make a joint demarche to the GON to encourage action on the peace process, the Chinese and Russian representatives demurred, citing lack of permission from their capitals. French and US rejected a Russian suggestion that Landgren be authorized to speak on behalf of the P-5. It was decided that each nation would make its own representation to the GON, citing a commonality of concerns that little progress had been made at the end of one-third of the current extension. ¶9. (C) Comment. See KATHMANDU 239 for report on the Ambassador's discussion with PM Dahal on the need to move on key peace process issues. POWELL