US embassy cable - 04ABUDHABI2836

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 002836 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARP AND SA/INS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/21/14 
TAGS: PREL, TC, NP 
SUBJECT: NEPALESE CHARGE REQUESTS USG ASSISTANCE WITH 
KIDNAPPING VICTIMS IN IRAQ 
 
 
Classified by Ambassador Michele J. Sison, reasons 1.4 
(b) and (d). 
 
1. (U) This is an action request - see paragraph 4. 
 
2. (C) The Nepalese Charge d'Affaires, Madhuban Prasad 
Paudel, requested assistance from Charge in tracking a 
Nepalese press report stating that 12 Nepali workers 
were taken hostage in Iraq, allegedly for helping U.S. 
forces.  Acting on instructions from the MFA in 
Kathmandu, Paudel requested any further information 
this Embassy could provide on the purported captivity 
of the Nepalese nationals. 
 
3. (U) Following is the text of the news report, as 
relayed to the Charge.  BEGIN TEXT: KOL Report, 
Kathmandu, Aug. 21 - A shadowy Islamist group has 
announced the purported seizure of 12 Nepalese men for 
cooperating with U.S. forces in Iraq, according to a 
statement posted on an Islamist website Friday.  "A 
group of heroic Mujahedeen (Islamic fighters) managed 
on the night of August 19-20 to take 12 people 
affiliated with a Nepalese company captive," said the 
statement signed by the military command of the Ansar 
al-Sunna Army.  The statement, whose authenticity 
could not be independently confirmed, listed the names 
of the 12 "infidels," who it said had been helping the 
"U.S. crusader forces to fight Islam."  The statement 
did not say where the 12 were captured but the group 
promised to publish their pictures soon "so that they 
will serve as a lesson to others." END TEXT. 
 
4. (C) Post requests Department and Embassy Baghdad to 
convey any information we can share with the Nepalese 
Embassy and indicate with whom the Nepalese should be 
in contact. 
 
SISON