Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KATHMANDU1162
2009-12-24 07:31:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kathmandu
Cable title:
NEPAL: 2009 COUNTRY REPORT ON TERRORISM
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UNCLAS KATHMANDU 001162
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM PGOV PHUM NP
SUBJECT: NEPAL: 2009 COUNTRY REPORT ON TERRORISM
General Assessment
------------------
UNCLAS KATHMANDU 001162
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM PGOV PHUM NP
SUBJECT: NEPAL: 2009 COUNTRY REPORT ON TERRORISM
General Assessment
--------------
1. (U) While Nepal experienced no significant acts of
international terrorism, several incidents of
politically-motivated violence occurred across the country.
Maoist-affiliated Young Communist League (YCL) criminal
activity continued, including intimidation and extortion. In
response to continued violence by the YCL, other political
parties condoned the use of violence from their youth wings.
Unrest in the southern Terai plains remained high with the
proliferation of numerous armed groups and an inadequate
police presence. A Special Security Plan (SSP) was put in
place in July to curb violence and end the culture of
impunity. Despite this program, police still do not have an
active presence in many parts of the Terai. Nepal
experienced several acts of religiously-motivated domestic
violence, most prominently the bombing of a Catholic Church
in May. The attack was conducted by the Hindu extremist
group the Nepalese Defense Army (NDA),the same group
responsible for the shooting of a Catholic priest and the
bombing of a mosque in 2008. The leader of this group has
since been arrested and their activities appear to have
ceased.
Safe Haven Assessment
--------------
2. (U) There were no indications that Nepal was a safe haven
for international terrorists; however, given Nepal's
continued instability there is a possibility of travel
through Nepal into other areas in the region by extremist
groups, especially into India. The large ungoverned space
along the Nepal/Indian border only exacerbates this
situation, as do security shortfalls at Tribhuvan Airport,
Nepal's international airport. In June, Lashkar-e Tayyiba
(LeT) member Muhammad Omar Madni traveled through Nepal
enroute to New Delhi.
Illicit Means of Funding
--------------
3. (U) Nepal is not a regional financial center and there
are no indications that the country is used as an
international money laundering center. In January 2008, the
Government of Nepal for the first time passed legislation on
anti-money laundering. There were no prosecutions or arrests
for money laundering during 2008 or 2009. However, YCL
illicit financial activities, ranging from smuggling,
extortion, and protection demands, increased in 2009. An
independent Financial Information Unit (FIU) was established
within the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) in 2008 and has
authorization to investigate money laundering and terrorist
financing, previously the responsibility of several
government bodies.
Ethnic Unrest in the Terai
--------------
4. (U) Militants continued to exacerbate unrest in the
southern Terai plains. There are estimated to be over 100
armed groups operating in the Terai - some in pursuit of
independence or autonomy, most composed of opportunistic
criminal elements. Competing factions clashed with each
other, with the Maoists, with hill-origin Nepalese, and with
police, instigating numerous strikes, demonstrations, and
Indo-Nepal border road closures.
U.S.-Nepal Cooperation
--------------
5. (U) The United States sponsored the attendance of
Nepalese security force officers at various international
counterterrorism events.
6. Post point of contact is Political/Economic Officer
Charles Fouts (foutsck@state.gov).
BERRY
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM PGOV PHUM NP
SUBJECT: NEPAL: 2009 COUNTRY REPORT ON TERRORISM
General Assessment
--------------
1. (U) While Nepal experienced no significant acts of
international terrorism, several incidents of
politically-motivated violence occurred across the country.
Maoist-affiliated Young Communist League (YCL) criminal
activity continued, including intimidation and extortion. In
response to continued violence by the YCL, other political
parties condoned the use of violence from their youth wings.
Unrest in the southern Terai plains remained high with the
proliferation of numerous armed groups and an inadequate
police presence. A Special Security Plan (SSP) was put in
place in July to curb violence and end the culture of
impunity. Despite this program, police still do not have an
active presence in many parts of the Terai. Nepal
experienced several acts of religiously-motivated domestic
violence, most prominently the bombing of a Catholic Church
in May. The attack was conducted by the Hindu extremist
group the Nepalese Defense Army (NDA),the same group
responsible for the shooting of a Catholic priest and the
bombing of a mosque in 2008. The leader of this group has
since been arrested and their activities appear to have
ceased.
Safe Haven Assessment
--------------
2. (U) There were no indications that Nepal was a safe haven
for international terrorists; however, given Nepal's
continued instability there is a possibility of travel
through Nepal into other areas in the region by extremist
groups, especially into India. The large ungoverned space
along the Nepal/Indian border only exacerbates this
situation, as do security shortfalls at Tribhuvan Airport,
Nepal's international airport. In June, Lashkar-e Tayyiba
(LeT) member Muhammad Omar Madni traveled through Nepal
enroute to New Delhi.
Illicit Means of Funding
--------------
3. (U) Nepal is not a regional financial center and there
are no indications that the country is used as an
international money laundering center. In January 2008, the
Government of Nepal for the first time passed legislation on
anti-money laundering. There were no prosecutions or arrests
for money laundering during 2008 or 2009. However, YCL
illicit financial activities, ranging from smuggling,
extortion, and protection demands, increased in 2009. An
independent Financial Information Unit (FIU) was established
within the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) in 2008 and has
authorization to investigate money laundering and terrorist
financing, previously the responsibility of several
government bodies.
Ethnic Unrest in the Terai
--------------
4. (U) Militants continued to exacerbate unrest in the
southern Terai plains. There are estimated to be over 100
armed groups operating in the Terai - some in pursuit of
independence or autonomy, most composed of opportunistic
criminal elements. Competing factions clashed with each
other, with the Maoists, with hill-origin Nepalese, and with
police, instigating numerous strikes, demonstrations, and
Indo-Nepal border road closures.
U.S.-Nepal Cooperation
--------------
5. (U) The United States sponsored the attendance of
Nepalese security force officers at various international
counterterrorism events.
6. Post point of contact is Political/Economic Officer
Charles Fouts (foutsck@state.gov).
BERRY