Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10KATHMANDU63
2010-01-24 15:15:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kathmandu
Cable title:
NEPAL: MAOIST RESPONSE TO BENCHMARKS PROMISED
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 KATHMANDU 000063
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/18/2019
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM NP
SUBJECT: NEPAL: MAOIST RESPONSE TO BENCHMARKS PROMISED
REF: KATHMANDU 01174
Classified By: Charge d' Affaires, a.i., John M. Ordway. Reasons 1.4 (b
/d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 KATHMANDU 000063
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/18/2019
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM NP
SUBJECT: NEPAL: MAOIST RESPONSE TO BENCHMARKS PROMISED
REF: KATHMANDU 01174
Classified By: Charge d' Affaires, a.i., John M. Ordway. Reasons 1.4 (b
/d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: The Maoist party wants to deepen its
engagement with the United States, and is preparing to
address the benchmarks for removal from the U.S. terrorism
lists, according to United Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist
Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda". Prachanda told PDAS
Moon that the party is having problems with India, which is
making it difficult to negotiate with the other political
parties. Prachanda said his challenge is to transform the
Maoists from an insurgent group to one supportive of
multi-party democracy. PDAS Moon urged the Maoist leader to
work with the other political parties and be flexible in
negotiating agreements on the peace process and the
constitution.
PROBLEMS WITH INDIA RELATIONSHIP
--------------
2. (C) In a January 19 meeting, SCA PDAS Patrick Moon told
Prachanda, who was accompanied by Maoist foreign affairs
director Krishna Bahadur Mahara, that the United States wants
to see a peaceful, stable and democratic Nepal, and urged
Prachanda to work with the other political parties on
finalizing the peace process. Moon recognized that progress
had been made, especially on the discharge of the
disqualified Maoist combatants. Prachanda said they were
working well with the other parties and progress was
possible. The peace process is "very delicate and sensitive,
with lots of ups and downs." He reported that the other
political parties are uncomfortable with the current
situation -- the Maoists holding the largest number of seat
in the Constituent Assembly. If the Constitution is
completed, it will likely include many fundamental changes
the Maoists promised their supporters. For this reason, many
politicians in the other parties are not eager to see the
completion of the Constitution or the peace process.
3. (C) Prachanda expressed concern that India, in
particular, was working against progress on the peace process
and constitution drafting, also out of concern that Maoist
policies would not be good for India. Prachanda said the
Maoists want positive relations with India but that Nepal
must revise the unequal treaties that were negotiated during
the monarchy. "The two countries must be on equal footing,"
he said "and the big brother, little brother relationship
must end." Prachanda said the United States has the ability
to help shape India's policy, and requested the United States
talk to New Delhi about India's engagement with the Maoist
party.
MAOISTS WILL ADDRESS BENCHMARKS
--------------
3. (C) PDAS Moon informed Prachanda, now that peace has come
to Nepal, the United States wants to increase interaction and
engagement with the Maoist party. Before that can happen,
however the Maoists need to address the terrorist benchmarks.
Prachanda responded that it is "time to have good relations
between the United States and the Maoists." He said there is
consensus that the party needs to get off the U.S. terrorist
list. Prachanda said he was discussing the U.S. benchmarks
non-paper, which Charge Berry presented December 29 (reftel),
with a group of high-level Maoists leaders and will present a
written response soon, possibly within a week. He also said
he was speaking with the Young Communist League (YCL) about
the U.S. benchmarks.
HIGH LEVEL POLITICAL MECHANISM
--------------
4. (C) Prachanda said the High Level Political Mechanism
(HLPM) represents the best opportunity to break the political
impasse. He plans to include Madhesi party leaders as well,
and wants the HLPM to focus on integration and rehabilitation
and constitution drafting. PDAS Moon agreed that the HLPM
showed promise, and urged the Maoist leader to be flexible
KATHMANDU 00000063 002 OF 003
during negotiations. If the party feels like the HLPM is
effective, then the Maoists will call off the nationwide
general strikes planned for January 24. The Maoists have
tried to limit the impact of their strikes on the general
public, according to Prachanda.
CHALLENGE FOR PARTY TO COME FROM INSURGENCY
--------------
6. (C) According to Prachanda, the biggest challenge for the
Maoist leadership is to transform an insurgency into a
political party. There is consensus that the party needs to
"support multi-party democracy for the sake of a vibrant
society. The Soviet Union and China all showed that this was
necessary." But, he said the party had to remember its goals
to "end the marginalization of minorities." The party
leadership values the importance of human rights and rule of
law as an essential part of multi-party democracy.
HUMAN RIGHTS
--------------
7. (C) PDAS Moon encouraged the Maoists to provide a full
accounting of past human rights abuses, saying it was
necessary for the peace process. He suggested that a truth
and reconciliation commission could help significantly with
the healing process, and encouraged the Maoists to support
it. Prachanda agreed the commission could be useful, and
said the HLPM will attempt to "sort it out." He said he was
disappointed the government has not been able to get the
commission established. (Note: The government is set to
bring a Truth and Reconciliation Commission bill to
Parliament within the coming weeks.)
NEGOTIATIONS ON 19,000 COMBATANTS CONTINUE
--------------
8. (C) Moon commended the Maoists for discharging the
disqualified Maoist combatants, and acknowledged it was an
important step in the peace process. Prachanda said that the
current negotiations regarding the integration and
rehabilitation of the 19,000 verified Maoist combatants were
progressing. During the original peace agreements Prachanda
said that G.P. Koirala agreed a certain percentage of the
Maoist combatants would be integrated into the Nepal Army,
Nepal Police and other security forces, and that the rest
would be allowed to reenter society. He said G.P. Koirala
agreed to integrate 5,000 - 10,000 combatants into the Army.
Now, Prachanda suggested that approximately 5,000 will go
into the Nepal Army, although he admitted the actual number
was subject to negotiations. He emphasized that before any
deal was finalized, the Maoist party wanted to ask the
combatants what they wanted to do.
YOUNG COMMUNIST LEAGUE
--------------
9. (C) PDAS Moon asked Prachanda about reports that the
Young Communist League (YCL) is involved in criminal
activities. Prachanda called the reports "baseless" and said
YCL military activity has decreased significantly and has
shifted to peaceful activities. He said media stories about
the YCL have gone down considerably. There are still
isolated cases of ex-militants, and these people need to be
"remolded," but more than 90 percent of the YCL members are
conducting peaceful work. Prachanda blamed the UML's Youth
Force for current youth violence, claiming Youth Force
members recently killed four YCL members. He said the
UML-led government is not prosecuting the individuals
responsible.
CONSTITUTION DEADLINE UNLIKELY TO BE MET
--------------
10. (C) The Maoist leader reported the final stages of
drafting the constitution will be a "very challenging job"
and time is limited. It is possible to complete the
constitution on time, but only if all parties come together.
Even if the Constituent Assembly cannot finish by the May 28
deadline, Prachanda claimed the deadline could be extended by
six months if there is something to present to the people.
KATHMANDU 00000063 003 OF 003
COMMENT
--------------
11. (C) Prachanda was positive and upbeat, and clearly wants
a deeper relationship with the United States, possibly to
enhance his party's credibility or as a counterweight to
India. We need to resist being entangled in the Maoists'
complex and problematical relationship with India.
Nonetheless, there is still scope for an improvement in our
relationship with the Maoists, particularly in the policy
context of seeking a neutral position among all of Nepal's
political parties. The Maoists appear to be taking the U.S.
terrorist benchmark non-paper seriously. Since we presented
the nonpaper on December 29, there has been progress on the
peace process benchmarks, but no evidence of behavior change
on the YCL or human rights cases. The Maoists have made
frequent verbal promises in the past, but frequently failed
to deliver on them.
ORDWAY
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/18/2019
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM NP
SUBJECT: NEPAL: MAOIST RESPONSE TO BENCHMARKS PROMISED
REF: KATHMANDU 01174
Classified By: Charge d' Affaires, a.i., John M. Ordway. Reasons 1.4 (b
/d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: The Maoist party wants to deepen its
engagement with the United States, and is preparing to
address the benchmarks for removal from the U.S. terrorism
lists, according to United Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist
Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda". Prachanda told PDAS
Moon that the party is having problems with India, which is
making it difficult to negotiate with the other political
parties. Prachanda said his challenge is to transform the
Maoists from an insurgent group to one supportive of
multi-party democracy. PDAS Moon urged the Maoist leader to
work with the other political parties and be flexible in
negotiating agreements on the peace process and the
constitution.
PROBLEMS WITH INDIA RELATIONSHIP
--------------
2. (C) In a January 19 meeting, SCA PDAS Patrick Moon told
Prachanda, who was accompanied by Maoist foreign affairs
director Krishna Bahadur Mahara, that the United States wants
to see a peaceful, stable and democratic Nepal, and urged
Prachanda to work with the other political parties on
finalizing the peace process. Moon recognized that progress
had been made, especially on the discharge of the
disqualified Maoist combatants. Prachanda said they were
working well with the other parties and progress was
possible. The peace process is "very delicate and sensitive,
with lots of ups and downs." He reported that the other
political parties are uncomfortable with the current
situation -- the Maoists holding the largest number of seat
in the Constituent Assembly. If the Constitution is
completed, it will likely include many fundamental changes
the Maoists promised their supporters. For this reason, many
politicians in the other parties are not eager to see the
completion of the Constitution or the peace process.
3. (C) Prachanda expressed concern that India, in
particular, was working against progress on the peace process
and constitution drafting, also out of concern that Maoist
policies would not be good for India. Prachanda said the
Maoists want positive relations with India but that Nepal
must revise the unequal treaties that were negotiated during
the monarchy. "The two countries must be on equal footing,"
he said "and the big brother, little brother relationship
must end." Prachanda said the United States has the ability
to help shape India's policy, and requested the United States
talk to New Delhi about India's engagement with the Maoist
party.
MAOISTS WILL ADDRESS BENCHMARKS
--------------
3. (C) PDAS Moon informed Prachanda, now that peace has come
to Nepal, the United States wants to increase interaction and
engagement with the Maoist party. Before that can happen,
however the Maoists need to address the terrorist benchmarks.
Prachanda responded that it is "time to have good relations
between the United States and the Maoists." He said there is
consensus that the party needs to get off the U.S. terrorist
list. Prachanda said he was discussing the U.S. benchmarks
non-paper, which Charge Berry presented December 29 (reftel),
with a group of high-level Maoists leaders and will present a
written response soon, possibly within a week. He also said
he was speaking with the Young Communist League (YCL) about
the U.S. benchmarks.
HIGH LEVEL POLITICAL MECHANISM
--------------
4. (C) Prachanda said the High Level Political Mechanism
(HLPM) represents the best opportunity to break the political
impasse. He plans to include Madhesi party leaders as well,
and wants the HLPM to focus on integration and rehabilitation
and constitution drafting. PDAS Moon agreed that the HLPM
showed promise, and urged the Maoist leader to be flexible
KATHMANDU 00000063 002 OF 003
during negotiations. If the party feels like the HLPM is
effective, then the Maoists will call off the nationwide
general strikes planned for January 24. The Maoists have
tried to limit the impact of their strikes on the general
public, according to Prachanda.
CHALLENGE FOR PARTY TO COME FROM INSURGENCY
--------------
6. (C) According to Prachanda, the biggest challenge for the
Maoist leadership is to transform an insurgency into a
political party. There is consensus that the party needs to
"support multi-party democracy for the sake of a vibrant
society. The Soviet Union and China all showed that this was
necessary." But, he said the party had to remember its goals
to "end the marginalization of minorities." The party
leadership values the importance of human rights and rule of
law as an essential part of multi-party democracy.
HUMAN RIGHTS
--------------
7. (C) PDAS Moon encouraged the Maoists to provide a full
accounting of past human rights abuses, saying it was
necessary for the peace process. He suggested that a truth
and reconciliation commission could help significantly with
the healing process, and encouraged the Maoists to support
it. Prachanda agreed the commission could be useful, and
said the HLPM will attempt to "sort it out." He said he was
disappointed the government has not been able to get the
commission established. (Note: The government is set to
bring a Truth and Reconciliation Commission bill to
Parliament within the coming weeks.)
NEGOTIATIONS ON 19,000 COMBATANTS CONTINUE
--------------
8. (C) Moon commended the Maoists for discharging the
disqualified Maoist combatants, and acknowledged it was an
important step in the peace process. Prachanda said that the
current negotiations regarding the integration and
rehabilitation of the 19,000 verified Maoist combatants were
progressing. During the original peace agreements Prachanda
said that G.P. Koirala agreed a certain percentage of the
Maoist combatants would be integrated into the Nepal Army,
Nepal Police and other security forces, and that the rest
would be allowed to reenter society. He said G.P. Koirala
agreed to integrate 5,000 - 10,000 combatants into the Army.
Now, Prachanda suggested that approximately 5,000 will go
into the Nepal Army, although he admitted the actual number
was subject to negotiations. He emphasized that before any
deal was finalized, the Maoist party wanted to ask the
combatants what they wanted to do.
YOUNG COMMUNIST LEAGUE
--------------
9. (C) PDAS Moon asked Prachanda about reports that the
Young Communist League (YCL) is involved in criminal
activities. Prachanda called the reports "baseless" and said
YCL military activity has decreased significantly and has
shifted to peaceful activities. He said media stories about
the YCL have gone down considerably. There are still
isolated cases of ex-militants, and these people need to be
"remolded," but more than 90 percent of the YCL members are
conducting peaceful work. Prachanda blamed the UML's Youth
Force for current youth violence, claiming Youth Force
members recently killed four YCL members. He said the
UML-led government is not prosecuting the individuals
responsible.
CONSTITUTION DEADLINE UNLIKELY TO BE MET
--------------
10. (C) The Maoist leader reported the final stages of
drafting the constitution will be a "very challenging job"
and time is limited. It is possible to complete the
constitution on time, but only if all parties come together.
Even if the Constituent Assembly cannot finish by the May 28
deadline, Prachanda claimed the deadline could be extended by
six months if there is something to present to the people.
KATHMANDU 00000063 003 OF 003
COMMENT
--------------
11. (C) Prachanda was positive and upbeat, and clearly wants
a deeper relationship with the United States, possibly to
enhance his party's credibility or as a counterweight to
India. We need to resist being entangled in the Maoists'
complex and problematical relationship with India.
Nonetheless, there is still scope for an improvement in our
relationship with the Maoists, particularly in the policy
context of seeking a neutral position among all of Nepal's
political parties. The Maoists appear to be taking the U.S.
terrorist benchmark non-paper seriously. Since we presented
the nonpaper on December 29, there has been progress on the
peace process benchmarks, but no evidence of behavior change
on the YCL or human rights cases. The Maoists have made
frequent verbal promises in the past, but frequently failed
to deliver on them.
ORDWAY