US embassy cable - 04KATHMANDU1746

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 001746 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR SA/INS, DS/IP/SA 
NSC FOR GREEN/DORMANDY 
LONDON FOR POL-BELL 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/31/2014 
TAGS: MASS, MOPS, MARR, PGOV, PTER, CVIS, ASEC, NP, Government of Nepal (GON) 
SUBJECT: NEPAL: ROYAL NEPAL ARMY REQUESTS MORE M-16S 
 
REF: NEW DELHI 5389 
 
Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty, Reasons 1.4 (b/d) 
 
REQUEST FOR M-16s 
----------------- 
 
1. (C) In an August 27 meeting with the Ambassador, DATT, ODC 
and poloff, Royal Nepal Army (RNA) Chief of Army Staff (COAS) 
General Pyar Jung Thapa requested 10,000 more M-16s, saying 
they were the RNA's weapon of choice.  COAS Thapa stated that 
the RNA would like these additional M-16s if grant aid were 
available.  He explained the RNA's peace-keeping forces have 
long used M-16s (since 1997).  While the Indian INSAS filled 
a need at one-third the price, the RNA would still like to 
have additional M-16s for a total of 34,000 M-16s.  COAS 
Thapa envisioned that the RNA then might divide into two 
corps, one equipped with M-16s and the other with INSAS.  The 
Ambassador told the COAS that he had noted with his GOI 
interlocutors in New Delhi recently that the U.S. planned to 
discuss with the GON the RNA's needs and the GOI had not 
reacted strongly.  The Ambassador assured the RNA that the 
USG would work on the RNA's request for more M-16 rifles. 
The Ambassador also informed the General that he had 
previewed with the GOI the possible U.S. provision of 1000 
M-4 rifles to equip the U.S.-trained Ranger unit of the RNA 
and that the GOI had received the news without comment. 
(reftel) 
 
2. (C) Chief of Army Staff Thapa addressed the issue of 
adequate and appropriate ammunition.  He assured the 
Ambassador that the RNA would be producing it in the very 
near future.  The RNA was trying to perfect a double-based 
powder so they could be self-sufficient and manufacture the 
ammunition in Nepal.  In the meantime, he explained, the RNA 
was importing rounds from Israel. 
 
ANALYSIS OF BREAKING MAOIST BLOCKADE 
------------------------------------- 
 
3. (C)  The Ambassador congratulated General Thapa on the 
RNA's handling of the recent Maoist blockade of Kathmandu 
Valley.  The two agreed that the RNA's provision of security 
to convoys, the Nepali press coverage, and the GON's payment 
of compensation as promised for past damages incurred in 
bandhs all played a role.  General Thapa acknowledged that 
the RNA should have included foreign press members in 
briefings and the helicopter ride showing the effects, or 
lack thereof, of the blockade.  The General also explained 
that the RNA commander from Pokhara going to Birgunj to 
encourage traffic movement also was an important factor. 
 
NAMES OF TERRORISTS FOR VISAS VIPERS 
------------------------------------ 
 
4. (C)  As part of our fight against terrorism, the 
Ambassador requested the RNA's assistance in providing names, 
biodata, and photographs of Maoists under RNA detention so 
that we could enter the information into our visa system. 
General Thapa said he would see what he could do and 
undertook to provide the names, photographs and other details 
of the 1,600 Maoists that the RNA had released as part of the 
last cease-fire. 
MORIARTY