NEPAL: ROYAL NEPAL ARMY REQUESTS MORE M-16S

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 001746

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SA/INS, DS/IP/SA
NSC FOR GREEN/DORMANDY
LONDON FOR POL-BELL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/31/2014
TAGS: MASS MOPS MARR PGOV PTER CVIS ASEC NP GON
SUBJECT: NEPAL: ROYAL NEPAL ARMY REQUESTS MORE M-16S

REF: NEW DELHI 5389

Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty, Reasons 1.4 (b/d)

REQUEST FOR M-16s
--------------


1. (C) In an August 27 meeting with the Ambassador, DATT, ODC
and poloff, Royal Nepal Army (RNA) Chief of Army Staff (COAS)
General Pyar Jung Thapa requested 10,000 more M-16s, saying
they were the RNA's weapon of choice. COAS Thapa stated that
the RNA would like these additional M-16s if grant aid were
available. He explained the RNA's peace-keeping forces have
long used M-16s (since 1997). While the Indian INSAS filled
a need at one-third the price, the RNA would still like to
have additional M-16s for a total of 34,000 M-16s. COAS
Thapa envisioned that the RNA then might divide into two
corps, one equipped with M-16s and the other with INSAS. The
Ambassador told the COAS that he had noted with his GOI
interlocutors in New Delhi recently that the U.S. planned to
discuss with the GON the RNA's needs and the GOI had not
reacted strongly. The Ambassador assured the RNA that the
USG would work on the RNA's request for more M-16 rifles.
The Ambassador also informed the General that he had
previewed with the GOI the possible U.S. provision of 1000
M-4 rifles to equip the U.S.-trained Ranger unit of the RNA
and that the GOI had received the news without comment.
(reftel)


2. (C) Chief of Army Staff Thapa addressed the issue of
adequate and appropriate ammunition. He assured the
Ambassador that the RNA would be producing it in the very
near future. The RNA was trying to perfect a double-based
powder so they could be self-sufficient and manufacture the
ammunition in Nepal. In the meantime, he explained, the RNA
was importing rounds from Israel.

ANALYSIS OF BREAKING MAOIST BLOCKADE
--------------


3. (C) The Ambassador congratulated General Thapa on the
RNA's handling of the recent Maoist blockade of Kathmandu
Valley. The two agreed that the RNA's provision of security
to convoys, the Nepali press coverage, and the GON's payment
of compensation as promised for past damages incurred in
bandhs all played a role. General Thapa acknowledged that
the RNA should have included foreign press members in
briefings and the helicopter ride showing the effects, or
lack thereof, of the blockade. The General also explained
that the RNA commander from Pokhara going to Birgunj to
encourage traffic movement also was an important factor.

NAMES OF TERRORISTS FOR VISAS VIPERS
--------------


4. (C) As part of our fight against terrorism, the
Ambassador requested the RNA's assistance in providing names,
biodata, and photographs of Maoists under RNA detention so
that we could enter the information into our visa system.
General Thapa said he would see what he could do and
undertook to provide the names, photographs and other details
of the 1,600 Maoists that the RNA had released as part of the
last cease-fire.
MORIARTY