BHUTAN WILL ABSTAIN ON CHR RESOLUTION ON CUBA WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L NEW DELHI 002844

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/13/2015
TAGS: AORC PGOV PREF PREL PHUM KDEM IN NP BT CU
SUBJECT: BHUTAN WILL ABSTAIN ON CHR RESOLUTION ON CUBA WITH
US SUPPORT ON THE REFUGEE SITUATION

REF: STATE 49957

Classified By: Ambassador David C. Mulford, for Reasons 1.4 (B, D)


1. (C) Bhutan has agreed in principle to abstain on the CHR
resolution on Cuba, but has specifically asked for stronger
US support and understanding on the issue of the refugee
camps in Nepal, Bhutanese Ambassador Tshering stated during
an April 14 phone call with the Ambassador. He commented
that he would like a "gentlemen's agreement" with the US that
if Bhutan votes in a way favorable to the US on the Cuba
resolution, that the US would support a plan for Bhutan to
only accept Category 1 refugees and dismantle the refugee
camps in Nepal. Tshering argued that the refugees living in
Nepal are not of strategic importance to the US, but are of
vital strategic importance to the Royal Government of Bhutan.



2. (C) Tshering asserted after the abstention last year
regarding Cuba, Bhutan lost friends and annoyed a number of
countries which accused Bhutan of breaking ranks. The RGOB
would still like to strengthen its position with the US. He
stated that Bhutan would support the US on the Cuba
resolution and "other areas where you need our support," on
the understanding that the US will support the Bhutanese on
the issue of the camps in Nepal by specifically indicating
its support for Bhutan to accept Category 1 refugees and to
then push for dismantling the camps with the balance of
refugees going elsewhere.


3. (C) Tshering added that there seems to be a
misunderstanding in Washington that the Bhutanese are
delaying the implementation of the Dewey/Wangchuck agreement.
He reiterated that the RGOB is waiting for the Government of
Nepal to respond to the US authored plan and begin meetings
of the two Ambassadors here in Delhi. Tshering (who is
credentialed to Kathmandu) noted that he has also sought an
appointment with the King of Nepal in order to discuss the
matter, but has not received a response. He believes Bhutan
should not be accused of dragging its feet when it has made
an offer to cooperate, which remains in place today, but has
never received a response indicating willingness by Nepal to
engage in negotiations.

Comment
--------------


4. (C) The Ambassador agrees with the Bhutanese point of
view and believes that is also best reflects the realities on
the ground. It is likely that Bhutan will only accept
Category 1 refugees, and US efforts to resolve the problem
have begun to reflect this reality. The Ambassador recommends
we accept the Bhutanese offer.
MULFORD