US embassy cable - 05RANGOON1065

UNCLAS RANGOON 001065 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
DS/ICI/PII 
DS/IP/ITA 
DS/IP/RD/EAP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC, PTER, BM 
SUBJECT: CORRECTED COPY--EXPLOSIVES FOUND DURING WEEK OF 
CHARGE WELCOME EVENT 
 
REF: A. RANGOON 1064 
 
     B. RANGOON SPOT REPORT--DATED SEPTEMBER 8 2005 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED--PROTECT ACCORDINGLY 
 
(1) SUMMARY:  On September 20, 2005, American Embassy 
Rangoon's FSNI met with the Government of Burma's (GOB) 
Special Branch Police for a breakfast meeting to discuss 
security for this evening's welcome function for the newly 
arrived Chief of Mission.  During this meeting, the FSNI was 
told the Special Branch had discovered several explosive 
devices on the evening of September 16th--including hand 
grenades, four packages of C4, a converted cellular telephone 
(with enough explosive material to kill ten or more persons), 
and other necessary bomb making components--in a northern 
Rangoon township. The police imply the bombs may be part of a 
domestic threat from the Karen National Union; however, the 
investigation is continuing. END SUMMARY 
 
(2)  After his meeting with the Special Branch this morning, 
the FSNI reported to RSO explosive devices had been found at 
the Aung Mingalar Highway bus terminal, in North Okkalapa 
township on the evening of September 16th.  Originally, only 
four grenades and two landmines were found, but after further 
searching, several more devices were discovered--including 
more grenades, four packages of C4, and a cellular telephone 
converted into an IED. 
 
(3)  Little is know about the person/persons responsible for 
the devices; however, documents were found in both Thai and 
Kayin (a regional Burmese dialect) language.  Post is 
skeptical about the GOB's quick jump to assume that it may be 
the KNU responsible (NOTE: The Karen National Union, or KNU, 
is an anti-government insurgent army active along the 
southeast Burma/Thailand border for over five decades END 
NOTE).  We will continue to press for further information. 
RSO will ask Special Branch if we can see the evidence 
recovered or if photos of the items could be passed for 
further analysis. 
 
(4)  Special Branch recommended to the FSNI that all cellular 
telephones be checked at this evening's function.  Special 
Branch and the Armed Battalion have provided numerous persons 
to assist with tonight's security.  The Local Guard Force 
(LGF) and Surveillance Detection Team (SD) have been notified 
of the findings and have been instructed to be on high alert 
for tonight's function. 
 
(5)  Police claim no link between this event and the one in 
Ref B.  Police now tell the FSNI that the events in Ref B 
could be mere unfounded rumors, but are still looking for the 
men named in that case. 
Villarosa