What Karan Singh told to Nepal King Gyanendra in 2006 uprising?

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 003050 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/03/2016 
SUBJECT: INDIAN SPECIAL ENVOY PROPOSES WAY FORWARD IN NEPAL 
TO A/S BOUCHER 
 
REF: NEW DELHI 2609 
 
Classified By: Ambassador David Mulford for Reasons 1.4 (B, D) 
 
1. (C) SUMMARY:  Indian Special Envoy to Nepal Dr. Karan 
Singh told visiting SCA A/S Richard Boucher and NSC Senior 
Director Elisabeth Millard that he believes that the Nepalese 
political situation remains very fragile, and that it is 
uncertain who will lead the political process forward should 
current PM Koirala's health fail.  Dr. Singh also stated that 
while the disarmament of the Maoists will be a very difficult 
process, it - nor the constituent assembly - can be delayed 
due to the extreme fragility of the Nepalese polity. 
Finally, Dr. Singh thanked the U.S. for supporting India as 
the lead country in resolving the Nepal crisis.  END SUMMARY. 
 
SEVEN PARTY UNITY ALLIANCE STABLE, BUT LEADERSHIP UNCERTAIN 
--------------------------------------------- -------------- 
 
2. (S) Indian Special Envoy to Nepal Dr. Karan Singh met on 
May 3 with Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian 
Affairs Richard Boucher, Ambassador David Mulford, and NSC 
Senior Director Elisabeth Millard.  Dr. Singh commented how 
close the political situation in Nepal came to a populist 
revolution, with the king reinstating Parliament only hours 
before crowds were set to storm the royal palace, in a 
"Ceaucescu-like situation".  Dr. Singh believes that the 
Seven Party Alliance (SPA) will hold together, but he was not 
certain who would ultimately lead it forward, since 
recently-anointed Prime Minister Girja Prasad Koirala's 
health is failing, and Koirala has asked former Prime 
Minister Deuba to take his place if his health fails.  Dr. 
Singh went on to state that the two Congress parties (Nepali 
Congress and Nepali Congress (D)) should merge to form one 
party, with former PM Deuba as the Deputy or Prime Minister. 
UML leader Madan could be another candidate for succession 
should Koirala's health fail. 
 
MAOISTS MUST DISARM 
------------------- 
 
3. (S) Any political settlement must also include the 
disarmament of the Maoists, Dr. Singh asserted.  Yet, how to 
proceed and verify this will be a "ticklish question". 
However, the GOI is clear that the Maoists must disarm. A/S 
Boucher and the Ambassador noted that this will be a 
contentious and lengthy process, citing the IRA experience in 
Ireland.  Dr. Singh responded that the Nepalese situation is 
much too fragile for lengthy delays - and that a new 
constituent assembly will have to be seated by no later than 
one year from now. 
 
KING (AND SON) SHOULD KEEP QUIET OVER COMING MONTHS 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
 
4. (S) Dr. Singh believes that the Constituent Assembly 
elections will not take place before October or November, 
since preparation of electoral rolls and the monsoons will 
cause delays.  Dr. Singh commented that the king is too weak 
to interfere with the processes already underway, and 
therefore there is no urgency to pass a constitutional 
amendment immediately to eliminate any potential royal 
interference with republican processes.  Dr. Singh thought 
that a constitutional monarchy could still be a possibility, 
barring any bad behavior by the palace over the next several 
months.  The king was personally told by Dr. Singh to send 
 
NEW DELHI 00003050  002 OF 002 
 
 
his eldest son abroad for at least six months in order to 
prevent any further incidents which might incite public 
outrage. Dr. Singh noted that the king's son is extremely 
reckless and has killed several citizens in drug and 
alcohol-induced car accidents.  Dr. Singh went on to state 
that if there are no further reprehensible incidents 
involving the king or his son, a constitutional monarchy 
could still be on the table at the constituent assembly - an 
arrangement that India would prefer.  Lastly, Dr. Singh 
concluded the conversation by thanking the U.S. for 
supporting India as the lead country in resolving the crisis. 
 A/S Boucher noted that India performed a function that no 
one else could, and deserves credit for its role in resolving 
the matter. 
 
5. (U) Ambassador Boucher cleared this cable prior to its transmission.

 

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