DEMARCHE ON REFUGEE PROCESSING IN NEPAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 002209 SIPDIS DEPT FOR SA/INS, PRM NSC FOR GREEN LONDON FOR BELL E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/07/2015 TAGS: PREF PREL CH IN NP SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON REFUGEE PROCESSING IN NEPAL REF: A. STATE 178852 ¶B. SEPT. 24 PARKER-SHELTON E-MAIL Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty, Reasons 1.4 (b/d) U.S. Proposal to Resettle Tibetan Refugees from Nepal -------------- -------------- ¶1. (C) In an October 6 meeting with Foreign Minister Ramesh Nath Pandey, the Ambassador discussed the USG's proposal to stand up a refugee processing operation in Kathmandu for some Tibetan refugees resident in Nepal (ref A). The Ambassador also shared with FM Pandey the one-page description of the refugee process (ref B). The Ambassador explained that the resettlement program would serve Nepal's interest by removing 5,000 refugees, and also China's interest by getting the Tibetans further away from the Chinese border. Acknowledging that the USG needed to have permission from His Majesty's Government of Nepal (HMGN),the Ambassador asked for confirmation that the USG could proceed with its proposal. ¶2. (C) The Foreign Minister responded that he would study the proposal, but was unsure how HMGN would react, given Nepalese reluctance to annoy China. He also lamented that the U.S. was supporting those responsible for closing down the Tibetan Refugee Welfare Office (TRWO) -- the political parties -- while asking HMGN to register the Tibetan Welfare Society (TWS). Pandey continued that the U.S position "confused" him. The Ambassador reiterated that resettlement of the Tibetan refugees could be a solution that would benefit the Tibetan refugees, Nepal, and China. Chill Toward U.S. -------------- ¶3. (C) Pandey expressed concern that HMGN's reaction to the proposal might be influenced by its disappointment over the USG decision not to invite the King to the President's UNGA reception, which he said had harmed Nepal-U.S. relations. He claimed that "the relationship was now at the lowest level." The FM insisted that, although Nepal and the U.S. shared the same goals for a Nepali return to democracy and the need to address the Maoist insurgency, USG methods were "harmful" to achieving those goals. The Ambassador pointed out that the failure of the King to even begin a process of reconciliation had forced the USG to take increasingly tough measures in order to convince His Majesty to move in the right direction. Pandey asserted that there were ways to convince the King to correct his mistakes and said that, indeed, the King would correct his mistakes. However, U.S. methods were pushing the King to compound his errors. He stated that the U.S. had "to compensate for past decisions regarding His Majesty." Pandey emphasized that the U.S. should "try to do something to make corrections" in the U.S.-Nepal relationship. Comment -------------- ¶4. (C) The Foreign Minister seems unlikely to confirm HMGN approval of the U.S. resettlement proposal in the very near future. He implied that a positive decision would be dependent upon U.S.-Nepali relations improving. MORIARTY