VZCZCXRO0076
OO RUEHCI
DE RUEHKT #1063/01 2660936
ZNR UUUUU ZZH ZDS
O 220936Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9242
INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 6669
RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO PRIORITY 6964
RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA PRIORITY 2272
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 5010
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 6205
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 2660
RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA PRIORITY 0209
RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA PRIORITY 4328
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 2176
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 3333
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 001063 
 
C O R R E C T E D  C O P Y -- ADDED SENSITIVE CAPTION 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KSEC EAID NP
SUBJECT: NEPAL: PEACE AND RECONSTRUCTION MINISTER POSITIVE 
ABOUT CONTINUED COOPERATION 
 
KATHMANDU 00001063  001.3 OF 002 
 
 
Summary 
------- 
 
¶1. (SBU) Newly appointed (Maoist) Minister for Peace and 
Reconstruction Janardan Sharma was positive towards continued 
cooperation with the United States regarding the peace 
process during Ambassador Powell's courtesy call on September 
¶5.  Sharma also supported campaigns and activities to keep 
the public, and especially youth, engaged.  Within the 
ministry discussions are under way regarding a Commission on 
Disappeared.  Security concerns were acknowledged, although 
deflected. 
 
Cooperation on Peace Process Assistance 
--------------------------------------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) During the courtesy call Minister Sharma responded 
positively to the Ambassador's description of U.S. assistance 
to Nepal's peace process and her hope that such assistance 
would continue.  The Ambassador informed Sharma that the 
assistance the U.S. Agency for International Development had 
been providing via the Academy for Educational Development's 
Nepal Transition to Peace Project would end in February 2009 
and we would need to talk about future programs.  Sharma 
again expressed his appreciation for U.S. programs and a 
willingness to discuss future efforts.  He informed the 
Ambassador that he had resigned his position as a People's 
Liberation Army Deputy Commander. 
 
And Support for Public Engagement 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶3. (SBU) Sharma announced that his ministry expected to 
launch a peace campaign shortly and would be encouraging 
debate on the constitution.  Constituent Assembly members 
from all 25 parties represented would be encouraged to return 
to their constituencies, educate people about the 
constitution, and return with feedback.  Sharma hoped a peace 
campaign would keep youth motivated and welcomed the Office 
of Transition Initiative's sponsorship of football matches 
with a national-level team as another way to keep youth 
constructively engaged. 
 
Commissions Under Discussion 
---------------------------- 
 
¶4. (U) Sharma informed the Ambassador that discussions on a 
Commission on Disappearances were under way.  He acknowledged 
the Ambassador's, and broader diplomatic community's, 
interest in forming the Commission on Disappeared as a 
prelude to a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and 
indicated his thoughts were along the same lines. 
 
Security Concerns Deflected 
--------------------------- 
 
¶5. (SBU) When asked about the security situation in the 
country, particularly in the Terai, Sharma responded that 
security was the responsibility of the Home Affairs Minister. 
 (Note: Bam Dev Gautam, of the Communist Party of 
Nepal-United Marxist Leninist, is the Home Minister.) 
Nevertheless, the Ambassador mentioned her concerns about 
Nepali staff working on U.S.-sponsored flood recovery 
programs in areas flooded in 2007 who were being threatened 
and she urged the Government of Nepal to take steps to ensure 
security. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶6. (SBU) According to Sharma the new government, and the 
Maoists in particular, are looking to maintain a peaceful 
environment and benefit from a peace dividend.  By seeking 
consensus on key issues he hopes the government will be well 
positioned to move forward.  Sharma's positive attitude 
towards U.S. assistance is a good sign, and post hopes it 
 
KATHMANDU 00001063  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
will be matched by his deeds. 
 
BERRY