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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 001089 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2017 
TAGS: PREL PREF PHUM PTER PGOV BT NP
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER HOPES FOR MORE PROGRESS ON MAOIST 
BEHAVIOR, ELECTIONS 
 
REF: A. KATHMANDU 1059 
 
     ¶B. KATHMANDU 1069 
 
Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty for reasons 1.4(b/d). 
 
Summary 
------- 
 
¶1. (C) On May 31, Assistant Secretary of State for Human 
Rights Barry Lowenkron highlighted to Foreign Minister Sahana 
Pradhan U.S. concern regarding continued Maoist abuses; he 
also stressed the need to set a timetable for the Constituent 
Assembly (CA) election and to include marginalized ethnic 
groups in the process.  Foreign Minister Pradhan said that 
the Government of Nepal (GON) was "trying its best" to 
resolve problems with the Maoists, but questioned Maoist 
intentions to join a multiparty democratic system.  She 
acknowledged that the time was ripe to include marginalized 
ethnic groups and suggested that the eight parties would 
reach a consensus soon on the CA election date.  Both agreed 
that the election needed to be fair and free from Maoist 
intimidation.  Lowenkron noted that the USG had set aside 
additional resources to assist Nepal with the peace process 
and the election.  Pradhan said that the absence of law and 
order had perpetuated a climate of impunity with regards to 
human rights abuses.   Lowenkron suggested that the 
appointment of commissioners to the National Human Rights 
Commission would signal that the GON took its responsibility 
to protect human rights seriously. 
 
Maoist Behavior Unimproved 
-------------------------- 
 
¶2. (C) In a May 31 meeting with Foreign Minister Sahana 
Pradan, Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human 
Rights and Labor Barry Lowenkron expressed U.S. interest in 
helping Nepal realize a sustainable peace and a successful 
democracy.  The Foreign Minister acknowledged that human 
rights abuses continued, particularly on the part of the 
Maoists, stalling progress towards a Constituent Assembly 
(CA) election.  She highlighted the May 25 incident in which 
Young Communist League (YCL) cadre attacked the UN vehicle 
carrying the Ambassador and the Representative of the UN High 
Commissioner for Refugees as an example of poor Maoist 
behavior (Refs A,B).  Lowenkron said this incident had caused 
some consternation in Washington; it had demonstrated the 
uncertain political dynamic in Nepal.  He pointed out that 
the Maoist leadership had created the YCL at the same time it 
was signing peace agreements with the GON.  Referring to 
Secretary of State Rice's statements that "progress in 
 
SIPDIS 
democratic development is not often linear, but it is 
important to have the trajectory right," Lowenkron accepted 
that there would be problems along the path to democracy, but 
expressed concern regarding Maoist intentions.  Pradhan 
agreed that the biggest question remained whether the Maoists 
genuinely intended to join a multiparty democratic system. 
 
Minority Inclusion and an Election Timetable Needed Soon 
--------------------------------------------- ----------- 
 
¶3. (C) A/S Lowenkron emphasized the need for the Government 
of Nepal (GON) to set a timetable for the CA election and to 
include ethnic minorities and marginalized groups in the 
process.  The Foreign Minister commented that inclusion was 
an issue the Ambassador regularly raised with Nepali 
political leaders.  Certain groups in Nepal had suffered for 
centuries from not having a voice; these groups now felt the 
time was ripe to have their voices included in the political 
process.  She believed the Nepali people were eager to vote 
in a CA election and frustrated with the delay.  Pradhan 
suggested that the CA election date would be discussed at the 
eight-party meeting May 31, but that the problems facing the 
political leaders were numerous.  The UN Mission in Nepal 
supported this process and understood the constraints posed 
by continued insecurity, she added.  Lowenkron noted that the 
USG had set aside additional resources to assist Nepal with 
the peace process and elections. 
 
KATHMANDU 00001089  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
Election Must Be Free and Fair 
------------------------------ 
 
¶4. (C) A/S Lowenkron commented that holding a free and fair 
election required a secure environment.  Pradhan agreed, 
suggesting that the voters would not come out for the 
election if they felt at risk.  All of the mainstream 
political parties in the GON wanted free elections without 
Maoist intimidation, she added.  Despite joining the interim 
government in April, the Maoists had failed to change their 
behavior.  They continued to take the law into their own 
hands.  The political parties were trying to reach an 
understanding with the Maoists, but the Maoists had so far 
failed to act like a political party.  "They don't understand 
the concept of mainstream," she said.  The Ambassador 
recalled a Maoist leader's repeated remark that the Maoists 
wanted to create a new mainstream and not work within the 
current mainstream. 
 
Human Rights In Nepal 
--------------------- 
 
¶5. (C) The Foreign Minister acknowledged that the absence of 
law and order in the country had perpetuated a climate of 
impunity with regards to human rights abuses.  The latest 
crisis within the Bhutanese refugee camps in Jhapa district 
had demonstrated how easily problems could spiral out of 
control, she stated.  Lowenkron hoped that the GON would soon 
appoint commissioners for the National Human Rights 
Commission; this would send a positive signal that the GON 
took its responsibility to protect human rights seriously. 
Pradhan said that the Government was "trying its best" on 
elections and human rights.  She expected that problems with 
the Maoists would eventually be resolved.  The Nepali people 
used to believe the Maoists had something to offer; now they 
were fed up with continued Maoist abuses.  She believed the 
Maoists realized they would perform poorly in the CA 
election, particularly with the YCL continuing to terrorize 
people throughout the country.  Lowenkron reiterated the U.S. 
commitment to help Nepal in a free and peaceful transition 
that would lead to an inclusive, multiparty democracy. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶6. (C) Although Foreign Minister Pradhan suggested that the 
government was doing what it could to move forward on 
elections, rein in Maoist abuse, and protect human rights, 
she did not seem unduly hopeful that the major political 
parties would resolve their differences with the Maoists.  We 
share her skepticism about Maoist intentions.  The Maoists 
are arguing among themselves these days on the best way 
forward, but we see no indication to date that any of their 
leaders have renounced the use of violence and terror as 
political instruments. 
 
¶7. (U) Assistant Secretary Lowenkron cleared this cable. 
MORIARTY