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