UK BOMB EXPERT PREDICTS GROWING MAOIST CAPABILITY;

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 000979 SIPDIS STATE FOR DS/OP/NEA, DS/DSS/ITA, AND SA/INS LONDON FOR RIEDL E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/19/2007 TAGS: ASEC PTER PREL NP SUBJECT: UK BOMB EXPERT PREDICTS GROWING MAOIST CAPABILITY; UK MISSION ASKS US FOR REPORT Classified By: MICHAEL MALINOWSKI, AMBASSADOR, EMBASSY KATHMANDU. REASON 1.5 (D). ¶1. (C) On 20 May, Ambassador received a letter from UK Charge Andrew Mitchell the text of which follows: Begin Text You may be aware that an expert in explosives from the British Army has recent(sic) visited Nepal for consultations with the Royal Nepal Army on the level of bomb technology being used by the Maoists. He visited for five days and was able to see a number of devices recently deployed by the Maoists. His report is yet to be published, but you may welcome an indication of the main points. Our expert was surprised by the technical nature of the devices and the rapid advance and adaptation of both technology and attack tecniques. He was surprised in particular by the use of electronics to improve command wire devices and ingenious switches to insure the detonation of hand thrown grenades. He anticipates that large vehicle bombs, heavy mortars, and radio controlled devices will be the next escalation in Maoist capabilities, and that such a development is only months away. This level of ability has surprised us. We believe it is unmatched by the Royal Nepal Army bomb disposal capability. We are looking into ways of assisting the Royal Nepal Army in the development of their bomb disposal expertise. But we will need first to establish more precisely their existing capability before we are able any firm decisions. One thing which could help us come to an informed position sooner would be early sight of your Assessment Team's recent report. Peter Jones at our Embassy in Washington has already been in touch with State Department and we look forward to seeing a copy in the near future. End Text ¶2. (C) Comment and Action Request: Post notes that the British Chief of Defence Staff will be visiting Nepal Friday. We ask that a copy of the PACOM Assessment Team's report be made available to the British, either in Washington or London, as soon as possible. MALINOWSKI