BHUTAN REITERATES COMMITMENT TO DEWEY-WANGCHUCK

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 005480

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/30/2015
TAGS: PREF PREL IN NP BT
SUBJECT: BHUTAN REITERATES COMMITMENT TO DEWEY-WANGCHUCK
AGREEMENT

REF: A. STATE 126204


B. STATE 117685

C. STATE 106121

Classified By: Charge Bob Blake for Reasons 1.4 (B, D)


1. (C) Summary: The Royal Government of Bhutan (RGOB) remains
committed to resolving the refugee problem using the
Dewey-Wangchuck framework and is ready to meet with its
Nepalese counterparts to hash out the modalities of the
agreement, Bhutanese Ambassador Tshering told us on July 13.
After receiving A/S Dewey's letter to King Wangchuck (Ref A),
the Ambassador asserted that Bhutan has attempted to engage
with Nepal on the issue a number of times, but has been
"stonewalled" in its attempts. Tshering was noncommittal on
Bhutanese plans to continue verification of the remaining six
camps, restating security concerns. End Summary.

RGOB Committed to Resolving the Refugee Problem
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2. (C) Ambassador Tshering underlined that the RGOB is
committed to resolving the refugee problem and will abide by
the plan conceived by King Wangchuck during A/S Dewey's
October 2004 visit to Thimphu. Tshering expressed
frustration that he had requested an audience with King
Gyanendra, as well as meetings with Foreign Minister Pandey
and a number of other cabinet-level officials in the Nepalese
government, but has not received a response. Tshering told
us that Bhutanese Foreign Minister Wangchuk requested a
meeting with King Gyanendra during the June 12-16 Second
South Summit of the G-77 in Doha, but that also was rebuffed.
Tshering said the RGOB is frustrated at being "stonewalled"
in their attempts to meet with the RGON on the issue.


3. (C) Upon reading A/S Dewey's letter in regards to
Nepalese Foreign Minister Pandey's willingness to meet,
Tshering expressed hope that such an encounter would take

SIPDIS
place. When PolCouns inquired whether the RGOB would
immediately repatriate the Category 1 refugees from
Khudunabari camp if Kathmandu agrees, Tshering responded that
Thimphu would stand by the Dewey-Wangchuck framework.

Next Steps
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4. (C) Tshering commented that the RGOB has not been in
recent contact with either UNHCR or Kathmandu about
continuing the Joint Verification Team (JVT) process at the
other refugee camps in Nepal. He expressed concern over the
security situation in the area and logistical problems that
might hinder future JVT efforts. Tshering acknowledged that
a solution to the problem must be found, stating that
resolution of the issue would create a "win-win situation."
He concluded that the RGOB has "an open mind" and is ready to
discuss the issue, but that Nepal seems to have other, more
pressing, problems to deal with. We are prepared to move
ahead, Tshering reiterated, but if the Nepalese government
feels it must focus on other priorities, Bhutan will respect
that decision. PolCouns pressed on A/S Dewey's point that
resolution of the refugee impasse could help to advance the
King's priority of moving to a constitutional monarchy.
Ambassador Tshering did not dispute this point, reaffirming
his confidence that a solution to the refugee problem is
within reach.

Comment: Dewey-Wangchuck Framework the Best Way Forward
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5. (C) It appears to us that neither Bhutan nor Nepal is
actively working to resolve the refugee issue and are engaged
in a game of finger-pointing as to who should make the next
move. We should focus our efforts on compelling Bhutan and
Nepal to meet and implement the Dewey-Wangchuck agreement as
a way to jump-start the stalled bilateral process. The
repatriation of Category 1's from Khudunabari would be an
important confidence building measure and show refugees that
return to Bhutan is possible. The upcoming meetings of SAARC
and UNGA are both opportunities for the RGOB and RGON to
discuss the Dewey-Wangchuck plan at senior levels. As
mentioned in Reftel C, from 2005 onwards, USG policy is to
utilize all durable solution, not only repatriation, to
resolve the refugee issue. Therefore, resumption of the
UNHCR profiling surveys, in order to accurately determine the
wishes of the refugees, should also be high on our agenda.
BLAKE