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C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 000321 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR SA/INS 
NSC FOR RICHELSOPH AND MILLARD 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/01/2016 
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER ASEC NP
SUBJECT: ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF KING'S TAKEOVER 
 
REF: KATHMANDU 284 
 
Classified By: ADCM Grace Shelton. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). 
 
Summary 
------- 
 
¶1. (U) On February 1, in a content-free speech marking the 
one-year anniversary of his takeover, the King announced no 
new initiatives, but highlighted the success of his plan to 
restore democracy to Nepal.  He reconfirmed his intention to 
go ahead with municipal elections on February 8 and with 
Parliamentary elections by April 2007.  Although the King 
claimed that acts of terrorism were "limited to petty crimes" 
in his speech, on January 31 the Maoists launched what 
appears to be a major assault on the mid-western hill town of 
Tansen, Palpa District.  The government continued to arrest 
political party leaders and activists, and continued to deny 
phone service to others.  End Summary. 
 
King: Visible Progress In All Social Sectors 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
¶2. (U) Marking the one-year anniversary of taking direct 
control of the government, King Gyanendra gave a taped 
address to the nation at 0900 local time on February 1, 
claiming success during the past year.  He stated, "the 
self-respect of the Nepalese people" had been restored 
"within a short span of one year."  He highlighted visible 
progress in his goals of restoring democracy and reducing 
corruption.  Reiterating his February 1, 2005 goal of "peace, 
stability and prosperity" and "meaningful democracy," the 
King urged all to participate in the upcoming "free and fair" 
municipal elections, scheduled for February 8, and promised 
that elections would take place "in all popularly elected 
bodies" by mid-April 2007.  The King made no reference to 
political parties, but noted that those candidates who win in 
the election "will be given the security and opportunity 
necessary to shoulder the responsibilities of governance." 
He highlighted that Maoist "terrorists" were now confined to 
limited areas, and that in his visits throughout the country 
the people told him they wanted peace.  He underscored that 
Nepal had an "unflinching faith" in the principles of human 
rights.  He stated that Nepal's foreign policy was "clear and 
stable," guided by "how to best serve and protect our 
interests in a rapidly changing world."  He also stressed the 
importance of economic development, including Nepal's role as 
a transit corridor between China and India. 
 
Maoists Attack Tansen District Headquarters 
------------------------------------------- 
 
¶3. (C) Despite the King's claim to have limited Maoist 
activity, in what appears to be a major assault, Maoists 
attacked Tansen, District headquarters of Palpa District late 
on January 31.  Maoists reportedly first targeted the army 
headquarters, and then set fire to the historic District 
headquarters building.  Details were scarce as Maoists had 
cut off communication with the city; phone lines were down 
and Maoists blocked roads and blew up bridges leading into 
the town.  Police sources told Emboff that 17 police and 3 
Royal Nepalese Army personnel had been killed in the 
fighting, and the press reported that Maoists killed 60 
security personnel.  Large numbers of security forces were 
out of contact with their commanders.  Police also noted that 
they had lost contact with the Palpa Chief District Officer, 
and suspected that Maoists had kidnapped him.  (Note: 
Consular officers confirmed that all Americans registered in 
Tansen were safe.  End note.) 
 
OHCHR Again Seeks Maoist Clarification 
-------------------------------------- 
 
¶4. (U) Ian Martin, Representative of the United Nations 
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, released a 
statement on January 31, restating his January 28 call 
(reftel) for the Maoists to state publicly and to their cadre 
that it was against Maoist policy to harm unarmed candidates. 
 
 
More Government Arrests of Activists In Districts... 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
 
¶5. (U) On January 31, throughout the country, police arrested 
many seven-party alliance activists and leaders, many from 
their homes in the early morning.  In Makawanpur District, 
south of Kathmandu, telephone lines in the city of Hetauda 
were cut from 0600 to 0900 as police arrested eight 
politicos.  In the far-west Terai city of Dang, police 
arrested eleven party activists.  In Syangja, police 
intervened in a peaceful rally and arrested about two dozen 
participants.  The government arrested most of the people 
under the Public Security Act, which allows detention for 
three months without having to appear in court. 
 
... and in Kathmandu 
-------------------- 
 
¶6. (U) The government intensified its crack-down on 
pro-democracy protesters in Kathmandu on January 31, 
arresting over 100 political leaders for rallying in areas in 
Kathamandu that had not previously been designated as 
restricted.  A press release by the Nepal Women's 
Association, an arm of the Nepali Congress Party, stated that 
police had arrested 72 of its members.  A representative told 
Emboff on February 1 that all 72 were still in government 
custody.  Newspapers reported that as of February 1, the 
government continued to deny post-paid cell phone service to 
150 people and land line phone service to 100 people, which 
had been cut since January 19.  Those denied service were 
political leaders, human rights defenders and journalists. 
 
 
Black Flag Day 
-------------- 
 
¶7. (U) The seven-party alliance planned a "black flag" march 
in Kathmandu on February 1 to protest the anniversary of the 
Royal takeover.  Each political party had a separate starting 
point, but planned to converge at Kathmandu Durbar Square at 
¶1300. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶8. (C) The King's address was content-free.  It clarified the 
King's intention to move forward with his plan for municipal 
elections, but by not mentioning the Parties directly, he 
still left room for reconciliation should he decide to change 
direction in the future.  The Parties did not view the King's 
speech as offering any olive branch, and plan to continue 
peaceful demonstrations to try to topple the monarchy. 
MORIARTY