CORRECTED COPY--EXPLOSIVES FOUND DURING WEEK OF

UNCLAS RANGOON 001065

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DS/ICI/PII
DS/IP/ITA
DS/IP/RD/EAP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PTER BM
SUBJECT: CORRECTED COPY--EXPLOSIVES FOUND DURING WEEK OF
CHARGE WELCOME EVENT

REF: A. RANGOON 1064


B. RANGOON SPOT REPORT--DATED SEPTEMBER 8 2005

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED--PROTECT ACCORDINGLY

(1) SUMMARY: On September 20, 2005, American Embassy
Rangoon's FSNI met with the Government of Burma's (GOB)
Special Branch Police for a breakfast meeting to discuss
security for this evening's welcome function for the newly
arrived Chief of Mission. During this meeting, the FSNI was
told the Special Branch had discovered several explosive
devices on the evening of September 16th--including hand
grenades, four packages of C4, a converted cellular telephone
(with enough explosive material to kill ten or more persons),
and other necessary bomb making components--in a northern
Rangoon township. The police imply the bombs may be part of a
domestic threat from the Karen National Union; however, the
investigation is continuing. END SUMMARY

(2) After his meeting with the Special Branch this morning,
the FSNI reported to RSO explosive devices had been found at
the Aung Mingalar Highway bus terminal, in North Okkalapa
township on the evening of September 16th. Originally, only
four grenades and two landmines were found, but after further
searching, several more devices were discovered--including
more grenades, four packages of C4, and a cellular telephone
converted into an IED.

(3) Little is know about the person/persons responsible for
the devices; however, documents were found in both Thai and
Kayin (a regional Burmese dialect) language. Post is
skeptical about the GOB's quick jump to assume that it may be
the KNU responsible (NOTE: The Karen National Union, or KNU,
is an anti-government insurgent army active along the
southeast Burma/Thailand border for over five decades END
NOTE). We will continue to press for further information.
RSO will ask Special Branch if we can see the evidence
recovered or if photos of the items could be passed for
further analysis.

(4) Special Branch recommended to the FSNI that all cellular
telephones be checked at this evening's function. Special
Branch and the Armed Battalion have provided numerous persons
to assist with tonight's security. The Local Guard Force
(LGF) and Surveillance Detection Team (SD) have been notified
of the findings and have been instructed to be on high alert
for tonight's function.

(5) Police claim no link between this event and the one in
Ref B. Police now tell the FSNI that the events in Ref B
could be mere unfounded rumors, but are still looking for the
men named in that case.
Villarosa