Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KATHMANDU1510
2006-06-13 08:43:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kathmandu
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHKT #1510 1640843 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 130843Z JUN 06 FM AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1825 INFO RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON IMMEDIATE 4114 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI IMMEDIATE 9856 RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO IMMEDIATE 4715 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA IMMEDIATE 9822 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING IMMEDIATE 4460 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD IMMEDIATE 2700 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO IMMEDIATE 0949 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 001510
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/13/2016
TAGS: PGOV MCAP PINR NP
SUBJECT: CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF TO RETIRE
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Larry Schwartz, Reasons, 1.4 (b/d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 001510
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/13/2016
TAGS: PGOV MCAP PINR NP
SUBJECT: CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF TO RETIRE
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Larry Schwartz, Reasons, 1.4 (b/d).
1. (C) Defense Secretary Bishnu Datta Uprety told A/DCM
Shelton June 13 that Chief of Army Staff General Pyar Jung
Thapa will take official leave starting August 9 and retire
from duty as scheduled on September 9. Uprety said that
although other rumors were swirling about as to Thapa's
successor, it will "most likely" be General Thapa's second in
command, Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General
Rookmangud Katawal.
Comment
--------------
2. (C) Uprety's confirmation that General Thapa will retire
this summer puts to rest other rumors that he might stay on.
While Uprety admitted he does not know "exactly" that Katawal
would be the next Chief, he indicated a high probability that
he would be. Although Katawal has close links with the
Palace, he does not come from one of the families that have
traditionally dominated the Nepalese Army (e.g. "Thapa" or
"Rana"). At the same time, his appointment would also
reassure the army that the government will not interfere in
the normal succession of the Chief of Army Staff.
SCHWARTZ
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/13/2016
TAGS: PGOV MCAP PINR NP
SUBJECT: CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF TO RETIRE
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Larry Schwartz, Reasons, 1.4 (b/d).
1. (C) Defense Secretary Bishnu Datta Uprety told A/DCM
Shelton June 13 that Chief of Army Staff General Pyar Jung
Thapa will take official leave starting August 9 and retire
from duty as scheduled on September 9. Uprety said that
although other rumors were swirling about as to Thapa's
successor, it will "most likely" be General Thapa's second in
command, Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General
Rookmangud Katawal.
Comment
--------------
2. (C) Uprety's confirmation that General Thapa will retire
this summer puts to rest other rumors that he might stay on.
While Uprety admitted he does not know "exactly" that Katawal
would be the next Chief, he indicated a high probability that
he would be. Although Katawal has close links with the
Palace, he does not come from one of the families that have
traditionally dominated the Nepalese Army (e.g. "Thapa" or
"Rana"). At the same time, his appointment would also
reassure the army that the government will not interfere in
the normal succession of the Chief of Army Staff.
SCHWARTZ