BHUTAN: DUTCH CONCERNS ABOUT BHUTANESE REFUGEES IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 001899

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/29/13
TAGS: PHUM PREF PREL BT NP NL UNHCR
SUBJECT: BHUTAN: DUTCH CONCERNS ABOUT BHUTANESE REFUGEES IN
NEPAL

REF: A. SECSTATE 215687


B. THE HAGUE 374

Classified By: A/PolCouns Nathaniel Dean Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d)


1. (C) On July 29 PolOff conveyed reftel to MFA South Asia
Senior Policy Advisors Arjen Kool and Robert Claessens. Kool
and Claessens noted the similarity between reftel and the
July 18 EU statement on Bhutan. The GoNL remains concerned
about the situation of the Bhutanese refugees, especially the
current lack of an adequate appeals process for those
refugees classified as having left Bhutan voluntarily. The
Dutch Ambassador to India communicated EU concerns to
Bhutanese officials at a meeting earlier this month. The
Dutch MFA also conveyed concerns locally in the Hague to the
Bhutanese Honorary Consul. The GoNL does not have further
bilateral meetings planned at this time.


2. (C) The Dutch would like to see greater UN involvement in
the resettlement process. Kool reported that the Danes
approached the RGOB recently to urge greater cooperation
with, among others, UNHCR, UNDP, and UNICEF. Kool said the
RGOB response was positive, but no promises were made.


3. (C) Note: To date, Dutch financial assistance to Bhutan
focuses primarily on environmental projects (ref B). While
earlier this year the MFA considered whether or not to
reallocate funding to refugee programs, Kool reports it
currently has no plans to do so. End Note.
RUSSEL