MAOISTS REPORTEDLY LINK ATTACK ON COCA-COLA

UNCLAS KATHMANDU 000751 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR SA/INS AND DS/OP/NEA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER CASC BEXP NP SUBJECT: MAOISTS REPORTEDLY LINK ATTACK ON COCA-COLA FACILITY TO U.S. AFFILIATION REF: A. (A) KATHMANDU 747 ¶B. (B) STATE 69408 ¶C. (C) KATHMANDU 439 ¶D. (D) KATHMANDU 209 ¶E. (E) 01 KATHMANDU 2324 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The Nepali manager of a Coca-cola factory where Maoists set off two bombs the night of April 14 (Ref A) said the armed attackers told Coke employees at the plant their facility was being targeted because of its affiliation with the U.S. and because of USG aid to victims of the Maoist insurgency (Ref B). No one was injured in the blasts, but damage to the factory will delay continued production for at least another 15 days. The bombers' statement marks the first time the insurgents have linked a particular action by the USG to one of their attacks. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) N.N. Singh, Managing Director of Coca-Cola in Nepal, told RSO and poloff that estimates of the damage inflicted by two bomb blasts set by Maoists at the facility in Narayangadh April 14 are still incomplete (Ref A). The capping and filling machines were both damaged, Singh said, necessitating the shutdown of production for at least 15-20 days. No one was injured in the attack, and police have made no arrests. ¶3. (SBU) Singh reported that five armed men entered the plant about 7:45 p.m. on April 14. After rounding up the three unarmed security guards, the electrician, the boiler operator, the night supervisor, and five people who were in the cafeteria, one of the intruders began lecturing them. According to the employees' account, the man emphasized that the Maoists had nothing personally against any of the employees and did not intend to harm them. Since, however, Coca-cola is a symbol of American imperialism, the insurgents are targeting the facility. The man took special note of recent press items announcing a USG grant of USD 100,000 to assist victims of the insurgency (Ref B). Since the USG is giving USD 100,000, we are damaging this factory worth half a million dollars, the man reportedly stressed. Following this explanation, the man's companions then set off the two bombs. ¶4. (SBU) Noting that Sunday's incident marks the third time a Coca-cola facility has been attacked since November (Refs D and E),Singh commented that his own and the Ambassador's requests for increased police protection for the two facilities (Ref C) were not enough to avert this latest incident. The police chief has posted patrols around both facilities, Singh acknowledged, but patrols alone are not effective in deterring such attacks. He said he has personally asked the police chief for armed policemen to be posted inside both plants, but the Chief has always declined, saying he does not have the manpower to grant Singh's request. Coca-cola logos are prominent all over Nepal, Singh continued. If the Maoists have made it plain that they consider Coca-cola a legitimate target, every Coca-cola delivery truck in the country could be threatened. He asked that the Embassy again raise security at the facilities with the police. RSO and poloff undertook to do so. ¶5. (SBU) Comment: Press items reporting real and apochryphal USG aid to the Government of Nepal have increased markedly in the past few months. This incident, however, marks the first time to our knowledge that the Maoists have articulated a specific connection between a USG action--in this case, the grant--and an attack. The Embassy has received no other communications or information regarding possible threats to other U.S.-affiliated entities or individuals. The EAC will discuss next steps at its April 22 meeting. MALINOWSKI