Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05KATHMANDU2596
2005-11-28 08:52:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kathmandu
Cable title:
CHINA MILITARY ASSISTANCE ARRIVES
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C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 002596
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SA/INS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2015
TAGS: PREL MCAP PTER NP
SUBJECT: CHINA MILITARY ASSISTANCE ARRIVES
REF: KATHMANDU 2516
Classified By: CDA Elisabeth I. Millard, Reason 1.4 (b/d)
Chinese Military Aid Arrived - But What Is It?
--------------------------------------------- -
C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 002596
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SA/INS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2015
TAGS: PREL MCAP PTER NP
SUBJECT: CHINA MILITARY ASSISTANCE ARRIVES
REF: KATHMANDU 2516
Classified By: CDA Elisabeth I. Millard, Reason 1.4 (b/d)
Chinese Military Aid Arrived - But What Is It?
-------------- -
1. (C) On November 25, Kantipur News, a private media
organization, broke the news that Nepal had received 18
truckloads of military equipment from China. An initial RNA
statement posted on-line said that the trucks contained
lethal and non-lethal assistance. However, within hours that
statement was withdrawn and an edited version said only that
non-lethal military hardware had arrived. The outgoing RNA
spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Deepak Gurung, told the press that
it was a regular shipment that contained only non-lethal
assistance. However, according to the Indian Defense
Attache, the shipment contained 4 million rounds of 7.62mm
ammunition, which can be used in the RNA's self-loading
rifles (carried by about half of its soldiers). The Director
of Military Intelligence avoided answering our questions
requesting more information about the shipment.
Comment
--------------
2. (C) We will continue to seek confirmation of the
shipment's actual content. The RNA's silence allows the
government to continue to play the China card. Even if the
shipment contained lethal assistance, including SLR
ammunition, the RNA still has not solved its problem of
acquiring more ammunition for its INSAS rifles and M-16s, the
weapons about half of its soldiers carry and which use 5.56mm
caliber ammunition. Embassy has also learned that COAS Thapa
will travel December 12-17 to Pakistan, where he may seek to
take up Pakistan's offer of military assistance.
MILLARD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SA/INS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2015
TAGS: PREL MCAP PTER NP
SUBJECT: CHINA MILITARY ASSISTANCE ARRIVES
REF: KATHMANDU 2516
Classified By: CDA Elisabeth I. Millard, Reason 1.4 (b/d)
Chinese Military Aid Arrived - But What Is It?
-------------- -
1. (C) On November 25, Kantipur News, a private media
organization, broke the news that Nepal had received 18
truckloads of military equipment from China. An initial RNA
statement posted on-line said that the trucks contained
lethal and non-lethal assistance. However, within hours that
statement was withdrawn and an edited version said only that
non-lethal military hardware had arrived. The outgoing RNA
spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Deepak Gurung, told the press that
it was a regular shipment that contained only non-lethal
assistance. However, according to the Indian Defense
Attache, the shipment contained 4 million rounds of 7.62mm
ammunition, which can be used in the RNA's self-loading
rifles (carried by about half of its soldiers). The Director
of Military Intelligence avoided answering our questions
requesting more information about the shipment.
Comment
--------------
2. (C) We will continue to seek confirmation of the
shipment's actual content. The RNA's silence allows the
government to continue to play the China card. Even if the
shipment contained lethal assistance, including SLR
ammunition, the RNA still has not solved its problem of
acquiring more ammunition for its INSAS rifles and M-16s, the
weapons about half of its soldiers carry and which use 5.56mm
caliber ammunition. Embassy has also learned that COAS Thapa
will travel December 12-17 to Pakistan, where he may seek to
take up Pakistan's offer of military assistance.
MILLARD