VZCZCXYZ0006
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKT #0917/01 2801141
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 071141Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0865
INFO RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 3268
RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 7480
RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 2816
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 5521

UNCLAS KATHMANDU 000917 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR SCA/INS, PM/CBM, PM/PRO 
 
STATE FOR SCA/PPD, PA/RRU 
 
E.O. 12958 N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO PGOV OPRC NP
SUBJ: MEDIA REACTION: Nepal-U.S. relations; U.S.- 
Maoist relations 
 
-------------------- 
NEPAL-U.S. RELATIONS 
-------------------- 
 
¶1. Nepali journalist Rishi Dhamala wrote an OP-ED in 
pro-India vernacular daily Annapurna Post (with 
circulation of 70,000) on October 7, titled "Nepal- 
America: Incomparable Comparison." The writer built 
the piece on his recent visit to the U.S. It praised 
the development and prosperity of America, and 
called upon the people and leaders of Nepal to learn 
from the American experience. Translated excerpts: 
 
¶2. "The United States of America is a 'dreamland' 
for the people around the world. It is a country 
which is prosperous and where political and economic 
freedom have flourished. It has a free but 
disciplined society. Everything runs systematically. 
People are civilized.  Human Rights and Rule of Law 
is fully ensured. A 'beautiful museum' of people 
around the world, America has enough prospects for 
every individual's progress. Labor is highly valued. 
Capital is highly valued. People have dignity and 
time is important." 
 
¶3. "...To be like America, Nepal has to do many 
things. The cultural aspect (in Nepal) is more 
important than political, economic, and social 
stability. Nepalis have to eliminate their faults to 
cultivate the system and culture of American 
society. To develop a social culture like that of 
America, Nepal has to change its entire social 
literature, not only the mathematics. It has to 
learn the entire school by heart, not a few 
lessons." 
 
¶4. "...Civil life is easy due to clear policies of 
the American Government. Law is not arbitrary like 
in Nepal. Rulers do not have the leverage to take 
undue advantage of power. Besides being rich and 
free, the society is also disciplined and defined. 
Everybody has recognition and dignity based on their 
work. The law not only provides facilities, but also 
security for citizens. Nobody can bypass the law. 
Every individual is aware of his or her dignity that 
builds on honesty. If you have a small stain on your 
dignity, it would be difficult to face society. But 
somebody who errs can easily apologize for their 
mistakes and gets reestablished in the society, as 
exemplified by former President Bill Clinton." 
 
5."I was amazed at the skyscrapers and wide streets 
of Chicago. Chicago is the state of American 
President Barack Obama. His supporters said, "Obama 
is America's new leader. He is the new hope." 
 
¶6. "... There were no security hassles around the 
White House, despite of a very strong security 
arrangement.  Anybody with bad intentions cannot 
enter the vicinity. There was no frisking or 
interrogation.  Technology takes care of the 
security and it cannot fail. It would be wrong to 
compare America's security with that of Nepal." 
 
¶7. "... Seeing America, I wondered when Nepal would 
attain the same level of prosperity and development. 
Our leaders have travelled the world.  But why 
cannot they bring that culture into Nepal? Why don't 
we have a leader like in America? We have rich 
natural resources and culture. Nepal might not be as 
big as America in geography, but it is beautiful. If 
the Nepali leaders unite for nation building, then 
Nepali youths don't have to fill the DV Lottery 
forms. They can make their own land a dreamland..." 
 
----------------------- 
U.S. - MAOIST RELATIONS 
----------------------- 
 
¶8. An opinion piece by the same journalist titled 
"US viewpoint yet to be assured about Maoists" was 
also published in pro-India English daily The 
Himalayan Times (with circulation of 40,000) the 
same day, October 7. The piece began with the recent 
visit of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal to the 
 
United States and his meeting with President Barack 
Obama, and stated that the U.S. is waiting to see 
the Maoist party in Nepal fully transformed into a 
democratic force before it could be removed from the 
"terror watch" list. It also said America has sub- 
contracted its Nepal policy to India. 
Excerpts: 
 
¶9. "... The meetings between President Obama and PM 
Nepal were so much so happening for those Nepal and 
the UCPN-Maoist watchers that they started on what 
the Maoist leadership was up to, with the underlying 
meaning being that it would be unfortunate for Nepal 
and the rebel outfit if it decides not to live up to 
its public commitment of a hallmark democratic 
party. ... That President Obama time and again 
wanted to know whether the ruling parties were in a 
position to work together with the UCPN-Maoist 
emphatically suggests that the US is in favor of the 
parties taking the UCPN-Maoist along without any 
exception." 
 
¶10. "... the US administration does not want to see 
political parties in Nepal, and that of course 
includes the UCPN-Maoist, to smack of Mao and all 
that which is identified with him and his political 
ideology. 
 
¶11. "It was interesting to note that the Maoist 
outfit figured in talks in the US capital and the 
White House. Equally interesting was the series of 
meetings between Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala and 
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.  They met as 
often as PM Nepal and President Obama met." 
 
¶12. "... one thing which should not go missing on 
Nepal-US relationship analysis is that the US should 
be expected to take the Indian word on events in 
Nepal.  Said conversely, the Obama administration 
will be taking cue from the Indian policy towards 
Nepal whenever it comes to forge any policy in the 
future. ... the U.S. has in a way sub-contracted the 
task of forging policy for countries like Nepal and 
Bhutan to India.  This is likely to continue in the 
decades ahead ..." 
 
¶13. "That is to say the UCPN-Maoist will need to 
review its policy vis--vis India ...  So, the key 
for the UCPN-Maoist to the US heart passes through 
New Delhi." 
 
¶14. "Yet, another reason why the US is concerned 
about Nepal, the UCPN-Maoist and the peace process 
is its geographical proximity to China through times 
when the western world is doing all it can to foster 
unrest in Tibet, and thus weaken China as part of 
the longstanding strategy to score over that 
country." 
 
¶15. "In a way, Nepal is a pawn which must be kept 
clean and within reach.  Another reason why the US 
is worried over Nepal and its peace process is the 
involvement of the UN which is another face of the 
US." 
 
MOON