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O 081129Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1378
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C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 001183 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR SCA/INS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/08/2016 
TAGS: PGOV OFDP NP
SUBJECT: CABINET REVOKES OVER 100 POLITICAL APPOINTMENTS 
 
Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty.  Reasons 1.4 (b,d). 
 
Summary 
------- 
 
¶1. (U) The Cabinet on May 7 recalled twelve Ambassadors and 
revoked over 100 political appointments made since October 4, 
2002 when the King took over executive power for the first 
time.  The Cabinet has not yet published a list of all those 
affected by the decision.  However, the Ministry of Foreign 
Affairs confirmed that the Cabinet had recalled Nepali 
Ambassador to the U.S., Keda Bhakta Shrestha.  On May 5, the 
Cabinet announced that former Supreme Court Chief Justice 
Krishna Jung Rayamajhi would head a judicial Commission to 
probe atrocities committed by security forces and other 
officials during the April 6-24 people's movement.  End 
Summary. 
 
Cabinet Recalls 12 Ambassadors 
------------------------------ 
 
¶2. (SBU) The Cabinet on May 7 decided to revoke all political 
appointments made since October 4, 2002, when the King ousted 
the government of Prime Minster Sher Bahadur Deuba and took 
over executive power for the first time.  The Cabinet also 
recalled twelve ambassadors.  Home Minister Krishna Prasad 
Sitaula stated that the Cabinet decision was effective 
immediately.  He noted that the envoys were appointed by the 
"regressive" governments of the past and could not "portray 
an exact picture of the country in the changed context."  The 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the Cabinet had 
recalled Nepali Ambassador to the U.S., Keda Bhakta Shrestha. 
The Ministry's Administrative Office was preparing a formal 
recall letter. 
 
Uncertainty Over Other Annulled Posts 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶3. (U) The government was in the process of writing to all of 
the political appointees informing them of the Cabinet's 
decision.  The decision affected over 100 political 
appointees working in various corporations and 
semi-governmental agencies, though the Cabinet had yet to 
publish a list of all appointments affected by the decision. 
Several Members of Parliament also were publicly demanding 
the resignation of heads of constitutional bodies for failure 
to protect the independence of autonomous constitutional 
bodies under their control, including Chief Justice of the 
Supreme Court, Chief Election Commissioner, and Chief of the 
Commission for the Investigation of Abuse and Authority 
(CIAA), and the chiefs of all security agencies. 
 
Retribution in the Forefront 
---------------------------- 
 
¶4. (U) The Cabinet on May 5 announced that former Supreme 
Court Chief Justice Krishna Jung Rayamajhi would head a five 
member judicial Commission to probe atrocities committed by 
security forces and other officials during the April 6-24 
people's movement.  Home Minister Sitaula announced that the 
Commission would be powerful enough to interrogate "anyone." 
Rayamajhi told the press on May 7 that "anyone" could include 
the King.  Sitaula noted that the government was still 
considering whom to appoint as the other Commission members, 
and what would be the time frame of the Commission.  The 
Commission was tasked with making recommendations to the 
government on the limits and types of action against all 
those involved in "committing excesses against the people." 
 
¶5. (C) Narendra Pathak, Deputy Attorney General, told Emboff 
that Rayamajhi was well respected, but added that those named 
as human rights abusers by the Commission would undoubtedly 
call his work biased.  Pathak said that the courts would be 
available to those labeled culpable by the Commission if they 
chose to refute the charges.  Supreme Court Spokesperson Ram 
Krishna Timilsina commented to us that the Commission "should 
reflect the expectations of the people."  He wanted to 
withhold judgment on the process to see whether the 
Commission's report was impartial. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶6. (C) Revoking past political appointments will create a lot 
of vacancies to portion out to loyal political cadre. 
However, painting with such a wide brush could also weaken 
vital institutions.  As the balance of power between the 
judiciary and the legislative branches is important in a 
democracy, it would be particularly ill-advised for the 
Parliament to interfere in the workings of the courts and 
threaten judicial independence.  The first shoe has dropped 
with the recall of the twelve Ambassadors.  Some of the 
remaining 100 political appointees could be from important 
national institutions such as the National Human Rights 
Commission or the CIAA, both of which should play key roles 
during the transition. 
MORIARTY