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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 000066 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2019 
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM NP
SUBJECT: NEPAL: PDAS RAISES HUMAN RIGHTS WITH DEFMIN, CHIEF 
 
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i., John M. Ordway. Reasons 1.4 (b/ 
d). 
 
¶1. (C) SUMMARY:  During meetings with Defense Minister 
Bhandari and Chief of the Army Staff Gurung, PDAS Moon 
encouraged the Nepal Army to deal with conflict-era human 
rights abuses openly and transparently.  Until that time, 
U.S.-Nepal military cooperation will remain "limited."  The 
DefMin sharply criticized the Maoists for maintaining a 
"separate army" and called for the "rehabilitation" of 
combatants into society.  General Gurung said the Army will 
implement whatever integration and rehabilitation plan the 
political leaders approve.  END SUMMARY. 
 
Defense Minister's Hard Line on Maoists, Human Rights 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
¶2. (C) In a January 18 meeting, DefMin Bidhya Bhandari told 
PDAS Patrick Moon that the continued existence of a "Maoist 
army" is Nepal's main problem.  "How can a party claim to 
respect the democratic process, while maintaining an army of 
its own?" Bhandari asked rhetorically.  The Maoist combatants 
must be "rehabilitated," the DefMin added.  (Note: Bhandari 
specifically avoided any reference to the "integration" of 
Maoist combatants into the Nepal security forces, as agreed 
in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.  End note.)  PDAS Moon 
agreed that the integration and rehabilitation of Maoist 
combatants was a "major challenge" that requires flexibility 
by all parties.  He noted that the discharge of the 
disqualified Maoist combatants represented a positive step in 
Nepal's peace process. 
 
¶3. (C) On human rights, PDAS Moon urged the DefMin to 
investigate allegations of past Nepal Army abuses publicly 
and transparently.  He frankly cautioned the DefMin that 
future military engagement will be "limited" until the Nepal 
Army deals with its human rights allegations openly and 
transparently; once it does so, the United States stands 
ready to deepen our military cooperation.  PDAS Moon noted 
that the United States has a long history of friendship with 
the Nepal Army, and expressed thanks to the DefMin for 
Nepal's important contributions to UN peacekeeping missions. 
 
¶4. (C) In response, the DefMin said she "respected" PDAS 
Moon's suggestion on human rights, but noted that during 
"transitional periods" many false allegations are made, 
particularly by the media.  She urged the international 
community to hold the Maoists to the same human rights 
standards.  The DefMin stressed that the Nepal Army "fully 
believes in international human rights norms and standards," 
and would always remain "non-political and professional." 
She agreed that the Truth and Reconciliation and 
Disappearances Commissions could be useful and said the Army 
would cooperate with these institutions when formed. 
 
Army Will Follow Political Decisions, COAS Says 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
¶5. (C) In a separate December 19 courtesy call, Chief of the 
Army Staff Chhatra Man Singh Gurung told PDAS Moon that the 
Nepal Army remained committed to peace, stability, democracy, 
and human rights.  Gurung noted that he trained at the U.S. 
Command and General Staff College, so understands the 
importance the United States attaches to democratic values. 
Because of Nepal's active participation in UN peacekeeping 
missions (4,400 troops in 13 missions) and extensive 
international training (principally in the U.S., U.K., and 
India), the Nepal Army is not "narrow-minded;" it is a 
well-trained, professional army committed to civilian 
supremacy.  Gurung repeated the commitment he made to PACOM 
Commander Willard that the Nepal Army, despite its 
limitations, stood ready to support U.S. "global interests," 
including international peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, and 
disaster operations. 
 
¶6. (C) PDAS Moon thanked Gurung for the Nepal Army's 
important contributions to UN peacekeeping missions, 
including its role in the Haiti relief operations (Nepal has 
1,100 troops serving in MINUSTAH).  The integration and 
rehabilitation of Maoist combatants and the "democratization" 
 
KATHMANDU 00000066  002 OF 002 
 
 
of the military will be major challenges for the Army.  PDAS 
Moon urged the Army to "be flexible," "demonstrate 
leadership," and "do what's best for the Nepali people," 
noting the positive role the U.S. military played in 
integrating American society.  On human rights, PDAS Moon 
urged the Nepal Army to address allegations openly and 
transparently.  Gurung thanked PDAS Moon for his support. 
According to Gurung, the Nepal Army is "not a major player" 
in the present context.  The Army supports the process and 
will follow the "political decisions" of Nepali leaders. 
 
Comment 
------- 
¶7. (C) DefMin Bhandari has emerged as one of the hardline 
opponents of the Maoists.  Not a strong political force 
herself -- she occupies the position only because of her 
deceased husband, UML leader Madan Bhandari -- analysts 
question whose interests she represents:  party ally K.P. 
Oli, conservative Indian interests, or anti-Maoist army 
officers?  Bhandari's refusal to even mention the word 
"integration" in the meeting with PDAS Moon -- which nearly 
everyone, including the army, accepts will be necessary -- is 
disturbing and illustrates the complexity of forging an 
acceptable consensus on the integration and rehabilitation of 
Maoists combatants. 
ORDWAY