Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KATHMANDU917
2009-10-07 11:41:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kathmandu
Cable title:  

MEDIA REACTION: NEPAL-U.S. RELATIONS; U.S.- MAOIST RELATIONS

Tags:  KMDR KPAO PGOV OPRC NP 
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OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKT #0917/01 2801141
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 071141Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0865
INFO RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 3268
RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 7480
RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 2816
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 5521
UNCLAS KATHMANDU 000917 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/INS, PM/CBM, PM/PRO

STATE FOR SCA/PPD, PA/RRU

E.O. 12958 N/A
TAGS: KMDR, KPAO, PGOV, OPRC, NP
SUBJ: MEDIA REACTION: Nepal-U.S. relations; U.S.-
Maoist relations

--------------------
NEPAL-U.S. RELATIONS
--------------------

UNCLAS KATHMANDU 000917

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/INS, PM/CBM, PM/PRO

STATE FOR SCA/PPD, PA/RRU

E.O. 12958 N/A
TAGS: KMDR, KPAO, PGOV, OPRC, NP
SUBJ: MEDIA REACTION: Nepal-U.S. relations; U.S.-
Maoist relations

--------------
NEPAL-U.S. RELATIONS
--------------

1. Nepali journalist Rishi Dhamala wrote an OP-ED in
pro-India vernacular daily Annapurna Post (with
circulation of 70,000) on October 7, titled "Nepal-
America: Incomparable Comparison." The writer built
the piece on his recent visit to the U.S. It praised
the development and prosperity of America, and
called upon the people and leaders of Nepal to learn
from the American experience. Translated excerpts:

2. "The United States of America is a 'dreamland'
for the people around the world. It is a country
which is prosperous and where political and economic
freedom have flourished. It has a free but
disciplined society. Everything runs systematically.
People are civilized. Human Rights and Rule of Law
is fully ensured. A 'beautiful museum' of people
around the world, America has enough prospects for
every individual's progress. Labor is highly valued.
Capital is highly valued. People have dignity and
time is important."

3. "...To be like America, Nepal has to do many
things. The cultural aspect (in Nepal) is more
important than political, economic, and social
stability. Nepalis have to eliminate their faults to
cultivate the system and culture of American
society. To develop a social culture like that of
America, Nepal has to change its entire social
literature, not only the mathematics. It has to
learn the entire school by heart, not a few
lessons."

4. "...Civil life is easy due to clear policies of
the American Government. Law is not arbitrary like
in Nepal. Rulers do not have the leverage to take
undue advantage of power. Besides being rich and
free, the society is also disciplined and defined.
Everybody has recognition and dignity based on their
work. The law not only provides facilities, but also
security for citizens. Nobody can bypass the law.
Every individual is aware of his or her dignity that
builds on honesty. If you have a small stain on your
dignity, it would be difficult to face society. But
somebody who errs can easily apologize for their
mistakes and gets reestablished in the society, as
exemplified by former President Bill Clinton."

5."I was amazed at the skyscrapers and wide streets
/>of Chicago. Chicago is the state of American
President Barack Obama. His supporters said, "Obama
is America's new leader. He is the new hope."

6. "... There were no security hassles around the
White House, despite of a very strong security
arrangement. Anybody with bad intentions cannot
enter the vicinity. There was no frisking or
interrogation. Technology takes care of the
security and it cannot fail. It would be wrong to
compare America's security with that of Nepal."

7. "... Seeing America, I wondered when Nepal would
attain the same level of prosperity and development.
Our leaders have travelled the world. But why
cannot they bring that culture into Nepal? Why don't
we have a leader like in America? We have rich
natural resources and culture. Nepal might not be as
big as America in geography, but it is beautiful. If
the Nepali leaders unite for nation building, then
Nepali youths don't have to fill the DV Lottery
forms. They can make their own land a dreamland..."

--------------
U.S. - MAOIST RELATIONS
--------------

8. An opinion piece by the same journalist titled
"US viewpoint yet to be assured about Maoists" was
also published in pro-India English daily The
Himalayan Times (with circulation of 40,000) the
same day, October 7. The piece began with the recent
visit of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal to the

United States and his meeting with President Barack
Obama, and stated that the U.S. is waiting to see
the Maoist party in Nepal fully transformed into a
democratic force before it could be removed from the
"terror watch" list. It also said America has sub-
contracted its Nepal policy to India.
Excerpts:

9. "... The meetings between President Obama and PM
Nepal were so much so happening for those Nepal and
the UCPN-Maoist watchers that they started on what
the Maoist leadership was up to, with the underlying
meaning being that it would be unfortunate for Nepal
and the rebel outfit if it decides not to live up to
its public commitment of a hallmark democratic
party. ... That President Obama time and again
wanted to know whether the ruling parties were in a
position to work together with the UCPN-Maoist
emphatically suggests that the US is in favor of the
parties taking the UCPN-Maoist along without any
exception."

10. "... the US administration does not want to see
political parties in Nepal, and that of course
includes the UCPN-Maoist, to smack of Mao and all
that which is identified with him and his political
ideology.

11. "It was interesting to note that the Maoist
outfit figured in talks in the US capital and the
White House. Equally interesting was the series of
meetings between Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala and
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. They met as
often as PM Nepal and President Obama met."

12. "... one thing which should not go missing on
Nepal-US relationship analysis is that the US should
be expected to take the Indian word on events in
Nepal. Said conversely, the Obama administration
will be taking cue from the Indian policy towards
Nepal whenever it comes to forge any policy in the
future. ... the U.S. has in a way sub-contracted the
task of forging policy for countries like Nepal and
Bhutan to India. This is likely to continue in the
decades ahead ..."

13. "That is to say the UCPN-Maoist will need to
review its policy vis--vis India ... So, the key
for the UCPN-Maoist to the US heart passes through
New Delhi."

14. "Yet, another reason why the US is concerned
about Nepal, the UCPN-Maoist and the peace process
is its geographical proximity to China through times
when the western world is doing all it can to foster
unrest in Tibet, and thus weaken China as part of
the longstanding strategy to score over that
country."

15. "In a way, Nepal is a pawn which must be kept
clean and within reach. Another reason why the US
is worried over Nepal and its peace process is the
involvement of the UN which is another face of the
US."

MOON