Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KATHMANDU884
2009-09-24 03:45:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kathmandu
Cable title:
NEPAL: DASD SCHER, COAS ON PEACE PROCESS ISSUES
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 000884
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/INSB
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER KDEM MARR MASS MCAP IN NP
SUBJECT: NEPAL: DASD SCHER, COAS ON PEACE PROCESS ISSUES
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i., Jeffrey A. Moon. Reasons 1.4 (
b/d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 000884
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/INSB
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER KDEM MARR MASS MCAP IN NP
SUBJECT: NEPAL: DASD SCHER, COAS ON PEACE PROCESS ISSUES
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i., Jeffrey A. Moon. Reasons 1.4 (
b/d).
1. (C) Summary: Chief of Army Staff Chhatraman Singh Gurung
asked Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Scher for the
United States to resume the supply of lethal assistance to
the Nepal Army (NA). Gurung supports the peace process and
civilian supremacy but is willing to step in should the
Government of Nepal invite the NA to stabilize the country.
He would like to see more military cooperation between Nepal
and India. DASD Scher urged the COAS to help Nepal's
political leadership make concrete progress toward the
integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants, address
human rights abuses, and resolve other peace process issues.
End summary.
Peace Process and Integration
--------------
2. (C) Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gurung told Deputy
Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) Scher in a meeting on
September 16 that Nepal has an unstable security situation,
but change could happen soon. The COAS suggested the
Government of Nepal (GON) may ask the Nepal Army "to do
something" if the GON is unable to stabilize the country, but
did not elaborate further. The COAS emphasized that he
supports the peace process and civilian control of the NA.
He said the NA would obey the final decision of the GON and
special and technical committees for the supervision of
integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants. Gurung
said his main concern is integration should not
"disintegrate" the NA. DASD encouraged the COAS to show
concrete progress toward peace process goals. DASD said he
realized these are mostly political issues that will require
decisions by the political leadership, but the COAS could
persuade the parties to push the process.
U.S. Assistance
--------------
3. (C) COAS Gurung lobbied for the United States to resume
supply of lethal assistance. Gurung asserted that the NA is
filled with expert, disciplined personnel -- many well
trained at U.S. military institutions -- but they lack the
equipment to effectively counter a national disaster. DASD
acknowledged the United States recognizes the NA's need for
equipment, and there may be future U.S. funds available for
non-lethal peacekeeping and disaster management purposes.
DASD explained he could do a better job convincing Washington
to support the NA if the COAS and political leaders could
show concrete progress toward integration and rehabilitation
of Maoist combatants, address of past human rights abuses,
and commitment to civilian oversight of the military.
Cooperation with India
--------------
4. (C) The NA should work closely with India to join systems
to suppress criminal and extremist activities and stabilize
regional security. The COAS said a weak NA is not good for
India. He noted the Indian Foreign Secretary announced at a
press conference during her visit to Kathmandu that the
Government of India is willing to fulfill the GON's request
for military assistance. Current military cooperation
between Nepal and India is limited to training; India
previously provided equipment. Gurung suggested the NA could
organize joint operations with the Indian Army to eliminate
safehavens for cross-border elements. The COAS claimed
criminals based in India commit cross-border crimes; these
elements affect eastern Nepal along its border with the
Indian states of West Bengal and Darjeeling. Gurung said
although India is strengthening its border security forces,
Nepal has no real equivalent beyond "some armed police."
Comment
--------------
5. (C) The timing of DASD's visit was fortuitous: Only a
week into his tenure as COAS, Gurung had the opportunity to
share his interests and concerns directly with a high-level
U.S. official. Likewise, DASD Scher demonstrated
Washington's high-level interest in Nepal and was able to
KATHMANDU 00000884 002 OF 002
press the new COAS on human rights, civilian control, and
peace process issues.
MOON
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/INSB
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER KDEM MARR MASS MCAP IN NP
SUBJECT: NEPAL: DASD SCHER, COAS ON PEACE PROCESS ISSUES
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i., Jeffrey A. Moon. Reasons 1.4 (
b/d).
1. (C) Summary: Chief of Army Staff Chhatraman Singh Gurung
asked Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Scher for the
United States to resume the supply of lethal assistance to
the Nepal Army (NA). Gurung supports the peace process and
civilian supremacy but is willing to step in should the
Government of Nepal invite the NA to stabilize the country.
He would like to see more military cooperation between Nepal
and India. DASD Scher urged the COAS to help Nepal's
political leadership make concrete progress toward the
integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants, address
human rights abuses, and resolve other peace process issues.
End summary.
Peace Process and Integration
--------------
2. (C) Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gurung told Deputy
Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) Scher in a meeting on
September 16 that Nepal has an unstable security situation,
but change could happen soon. The COAS suggested the
Government of Nepal (GON) may ask the Nepal Army "to do
something" if the GON is unable to stabilize the country, but
did not elaborate further. The COAS emphasized that he
supports the peace process and civilian control of the NA.
He said the NA would obey the final decision of the GON and
special and technical committees for the supervision of
integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants. Gurung
said his main concern is integration should not
"disintegrate" the NA. DASD encouraged the COAS to show
concrete progress toward peace process goals. DASD said he
realized these are mostly political issues that will require
decisions by the political leadership, but the COAS could
persuade the parties to push the process.
U.S. Assistance
--------------
3. (C) COAS Gurung lobbied for the United States to resume
supply of lethal assistance. Gurung asserted that the NA is
filled with expert, disciplined personnel -- many well
trained at U.S. military institutions -- but they lack the
equipment to effectively counter a national disaster. DASD
acknowledged the United States recognizes the NA's need for
equipment, and there may be future U.S. funds available for
non-lethal peacekeeping and disaster management purposes.
DASD explained he could do a better job convincing Washington
to support the NA if the COAS and political leaders could
show concrete progress toward integration and rehabilitation
of Maoist combatants, address of past human rights abuses,
and commitment to civilian oversight of the military.
Cooperation with India
--------------
4. (C) The NA should work closely with India to join systems
to suppress criminal and extremist activities and stabilize
regional security. The COAS said a weak NA is not good for
India. He noted the Indian Foreign Secretary announced at a
press conference during her visit to Kathmandu that the
Government of India is willing to fulfill the GON's request
for military assistance. Current military cooperation
between Nepal and India is limited to training; India
previously provided equipment. Gurung suggested the NA could
organize joint operations with the Indian Army to eliminate
safehavens for cross-border elements. The COAS claimed
criminals based in India commit cross-border crimes; these
elements affect eastern Nepal along its border with the
Indian states of West Bengal and Darjeeling. Gurung said
although India is strengthening its border security forces,
Nepal has no real equivalent beyond "some armed police."
Comment
--------------
5. (C) The timing of DASD's visit was fortuitous: Only a
week into his tenure as COAS, Gurung had the opportunity to
share his interests and concerns directly with a high-level
U.S. official. Likewise, DASD Scher demonstrated
Washington's high-level interest in Nepal and was able to
KATHMANDU 00000884 002 OF 002
press the new COAS on human rights, civilian control, and
peace process issues.
MOON