Nepal govt caught 'lying' on arms cargo

Kathmandu: As news of Nepal trying to ferry anti-aircraft missiles over Indian air space hit the media and the multi-party government began denying having any knowledge of it.

But the records showed both the government and the army were very much aware of what was going on.

On Thursday, a Moscow-based airline operator, Kosmos Air Company, had sought India's permission to land at the Mumbai airport for refueling before heading for Kathmandu.

However, the Indian authorities denied permission when they learnt the AN-12 Russian aircraft was carrying missiles, including rockets.

When the news that India had refused permission to the aircraft to land in Mumbai broke out, Nepal's government immediately began denying having any knowledge about the deal.

The Himalayan Times quoted a high-ranking government official Friday as saying the government had no knowledge about the cargo.

"We do not know anything about that consignment," Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala's adviser on foreign affairs Suresh Chalise told the Himalayan Times. "An inquiry is on to find out who had struck the deal."

However, the Civil Aviation Authority in Nepal knew about the aircraft and its cargo since they too had been asked for permission for landing in Kathmandu on Aug 31.

Kosmos' transporting plane was scheduled to fly from Minsk in Belarus through Burgas in Bulgaria, Baku in Azerbaijan, India and then land at Kathmandu from where it was scheduled to depart for Rastovna-donn in the former USSR.

The air traffic authorities at the Tribhuvan International Airport had received the same message from Kosmos, mentioning the nature of its cargo.

The consignment was intended for the Master General of Ordnance of the Nepal Army, signifying the army too was well aware of the situation.

However, the army too feigned ignorance with the spokesperson of Nepal Army, Brigadier General Nepal Bhushan Chand, telling the media he was "unaware of any such consignment meant for the army".

Former foreign minister Ramesh Nath Pandey had visited Russia during King Gyanendra's direct rule in October 2005. Interestingly, the manufacturers of the consignment are a Belarus company, Sue Orsha, and a Bulgarian firm, Emco Ltd.

Apparently, Nepal's government decided to refurbish its arsenal despite holding peace talks with the Maoists and finance minister Ram Sharan Mahat's assertion that the government would slash military expenses.