Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KATHMANDU464
2009-06-04 05:22:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kathmandu
Cable title:
NEPAL: SUJATA KOIRALA POSSIBLE NEW FOREIGN MINISTER
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C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 000464
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/04/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM NP
SUBJECT: NEPAL: SUJATA KOIRALA POSSIBLE NEW FOREIGN MINISTER
Classified By: Ambassador Nancy J. Powell. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).
Congress to Join Cabinet, under Sujata's Leadership
--------------------------------------------- ------
C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 000464
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/04/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM NP
SUBJECT: NEPAL: SUJATA KOIRALA POSSIBLE NEW FOREIGN MINISTER
Classified By: Ambassador Nancy J. Powell. Reasons 1.4 (b/d).
Congress to Join Cabinet, under Sujata's Leadership
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¶1. (C) On June 3 Sujata Koirala confirmed to Emboff press
reports that her father, former Prime Minister and Nepali
Congress (NC) party president Girija Prasad Koirala has
proposed she head the NC team in the new UML-led coalition
government. Sujata said she was designated to become the
Foreign Minister and might also serve as a Deputy Prime
Minister. Sujata added that none of the other possible NC
ministerial candidates had been assigned a portfolio yet.
Despite having lobbied internally for this position, Sujata
stated she was a bit surprised when her father called her
with the news in the early evening of June 2. She was
clearly looking forward to returning to the cabinet, and in
such a prominent position. (Note: Sujata served in her
father's cabinet from January 2008 until August 2008 as
Minister without Portfolio. She was defeated for a directly
elected seat in the April 2008 Constituent Assembly election,
but has served as Head of NC's Foreign Department since
October 2005.)
Comment
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¶2. (C) While NC Acting Party President Sushil Koirala (a
cousin of Girija) and Ram Chandra Poudel have been most vocal
in their opposition, they are by no means the only party
members disappointed by Girija's decision. Nevertheless the
decision may well stand. The party central committee
recently authorized the party president to decide the NC's
government team. Chakra Bastola, NC Central Committee
member, told Emboffs June 3 that many of those in party who
advocated most strongly to join the government in the
expectation that they would be named ministers, and possibly
leader of the NC delegation, now regret their actions.
Cabinet expansion could take place as early as June 4 with
Sujata and two or three others being named, and a further
expansion within seven to ten days.
POWELL