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China dispatches military equipment to Kathmandu

China has delivered "some military equipment" to Nepal at a time when Western countries and India have stopped supplying arms in order to put political pressure on the Himalayan kingdom, a Nepalese newspaper report said yesterday.

The English-language daily Himalayan Times, quoting sources at Kathmandu Airport, said that the equipment was delivered to Nepal on Thursday morning.

The equipment was brought in a cargo aircraft from China, according to the newspaper.

The newspaper did not specify the kind of military equipment but said that five armored personnel carriers were included.

According to the newspaper, the personnel carriers were bought by Nepal "some time back."

The vehicles, manufactured in China, were first unveiled in October 1984. Western documents occasionally refer to the model as the M-1984, according to the paper.

The vehicle has a two-man crew and can carry 10 infantry soldiers and is amphibious.

A Nepalese army spokesman said that he had "no comments" on the matter.

Western countries and India suspended military assistance to Nepal following King Gyanendra's takeover on Feb. 1, triggering speculation that Kathmandu would buy arms from other sources, including China.
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