NEPALESE CHARGE REQUESTS USG ASSISTANCE WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 002836 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARP AND SA/INS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/21/14 TAGS: PREL TC NP SUBJECT: NEPALESE CHARGE REQUESTS USG ASSISTANCE WITH KIDNAPPING VICTIMS IN IRAQ Classified by Ambassador Michele J. Sison, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (U) This is an action request - see paragraph 4. ¶2. (C) The Nepalese Charge d'Affaires, Madhuban Prasad Paudel, requested assistance from Charge in tracking a Nepalese press report stating that 12 Nepali workers were taken hostage in Iraq, allegedly for helping U.S. forces. Acting on instructions from the MFA in Kathmandu, Paudel requested any further information this Embassy could provide on the purported captivity of the Nepalese nationals. ¶3. (U) Following is the text of the news report, as relayed to the Charge. BEGIN TEXT: KOL Report, Kathmandu, Aug. 21 - A shadowy Islamist group has announced the purported seizure of 12 Nepalese men for cooperating with U.S. forces in Iraq, according to a statement posted on an Islamist website Friday. "A group of heroic Mujahedeen (Islamic fighters) managed on the night of August 19-20 to take 12 people affiliated with a Nepalese company captive," said the statement signed by the military command of the Ansar al-Sunna Army. The statement, whose authenticity could not be independently confirmed, listed the names of the 12 "infidels," who it said had been helping the "U.S. crusader forces to fight Islam." The statement did not say where the 12 were captured but the group promised to publish their pictures soon "so that they will serve as a lesson to others." END TEXT. ¶4. (C) Post requests Department and Embassy Baghdad to convey any information we can share with the Nepalese Embassy and indicate with whom the Nepalese should be in contact. SISON