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