280. Telegram From the Embassy in India to the Department of State 1
2647. Reference: Embtel 1996, March 3.2 Following is country team (CT) message summarizing recommendations of program described in reftel to counter Communist propaganda defensive [offensive?] in Nepal.
Increasingly evident since October 1958 that Communist bloc spearheaded by Soviet Union has stepped up its propaganda activities in Nepal. Manifestations of this activity include: (1) Increase in visits of Soviet officials to Kathmandu; (2) Greatly expanded exchange program featuring 15 scholarships for study in Soviet universities; (3) Flattery of King and Royal family with lavish gifts including Ilyushin aircraft; (4) Publication of Sovietland in Nepali; (5) Numerous Soviet film programs, including full-length documentary of King’s visit to USSR; (6) Revitalization of Nepal-Soviet friendship association; (7) Efforts to acquire a printing press in Kathmandu to publish Soviet-Nepal output; (8) Establishment of library which expected open shortly; (9) Intensified cultural effort aimed at Nepalese susceptibilities, including publication in Nepali of history of Nepal and Nepalese-Russian dictionary.
Foregoing campaign being carried out in country with virtually no indigenous published materials but increasing appetite for them. Basic problem is who will be first to fill the vacuum.
I believe threat can be effectively countered by judicious use assets we already have and modest increase or reorientation in USOM and USIS programs. Trick is to expand program to fill vacuum before Soviets do without increasing American personnel or attracting undue attention to our activities. Our basic objective should be to strengthen Nepalese capacity to handle task, and we should stress themes which instill in Nepalese greater confidence in their government and belief in its capacity to handle their problems.
[Page 593]CT recommends following multi-media program calling for close USIS–USOM collaboration: (1) organization immediately for operation after monsoon of two “foot mobile” teams with portable film equipment to tour hill areas. Interest generated by film shows can be exploited to introduce other media including exhibits, pamphlets, books, et cetera; (2) expanded exhibits program requiring close USOM–USIS cooperation with American library utilizing USOM resources for exhibits; (3) production and distribution of large quantities of reading materials which will require expanded Nepali translation program. It is recommended that majority these materials be financed by PL–4803 rupees under waiver Section 104(D), involving about $100,000 worth Indian rupees; (4) assistance to radio Nepal, which only medium now able to reach entire country; (5) exchange program totalling 13 persons; (6) assistance to GON to help strengthen its public relations program.
In my opinion, program is sound and well-conceived, and I urge prompt approval to permit implementation immediately after monsoon. Soviet plans to establish Embassy in Kathmandu underline urgency of program.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 790C.5–MSP/4–3059. Confidential. Repeated to Calcutta and Kathmandu.↩
- Telegram 1996 summarized a meeting of the Nepal Country Team, held at Kathmandu on February 26 during the visit of Ambassador Bunker. It reads in part as follows: “CT considered report summarizing stepped up Communist propaganda offensive spearheaded by USSR which in last six months assuming much larger proportions. CT requested USIS and USOM prepare joint statement outlining changed propaganda situation in Nepal, and listing specific measures which should be adopted to counter this offensive, including possible expansion American library operations in Nepal and increased backstopping from Delhi.” (Ibid., 790C.5–MSP/3–359)↩
- Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954, approved on July 10, 1954. (68 Stat. 454).↩