Office of the Historian

228. Memorandum From Acting Secretary of State Christopher to President Carter1

Washington, May 14, 1980

[Omitted here is material unrelated to Nepal.]

4. Nepal. In a recent national referendum on fundamental changes in the political system, Nepalese voters narrowly supported (by 55%) the conservative option, largely preserving the authority of the monarchy. The outcome will probably slow, but not stop, the process of political liberalization initiated by the King last year following serious student rioting. The key question is whether the opposition political leaders and their student supporters will accept the results.

  1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 23, Evening Reports (State): 5/80. Secret. Carter wrote “Warren, J” in the upper right-hand corner of the memorandum.↩