FOLLOW-UP ON BHUTANESE REFUGEE DEMARCHE TO EC

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 000491

SIPDIS

GENEVA RMA FOR IKE REED

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/13/2016
TAGS: BT IN NP PREF EUN USEU BRUSSELS
SUBJECT: FOLLOW-UP ON BHUTANESE REFUGEE DEMARCHE TO EC

REF: A. A. STATE 0681

B. B. BRUSSELS 00254

Classified By: PRM OFFICER MARC MEZNAR FOR REASONS 1.4 (B & D)


1. (SBU) PRM Assistant received feedback from the European
Commission, DG RELEX India/Bhutan/Nepal Desk Officer, Rensje
Teerink, on the February 2 courtesy visit between the Benita
Ferrero-Walder, Commissioner for External Affairs, and
Bhutan's Foreign Minister, Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk which was
preceded by a one-hour meeting with Deputy DG RELEX for Asia
& Latin America, Herve Jouanjean. The two meetings provided
the opportunity to impart the EC's concerns about the
Bhutanese refugee situation in preparation for the February
16th Donor Roundtable on Bhutan being held February 15-16 in
Geneva. The Foreign Minister (FM) was most interested in
providing an update on Bhutan's progress towards a two-party
democracy but did eventually address the EC's points on the
refugees in Nepal, which mirrored the USG's concerns.


2. (C) The FM indicated that Bhutan still supported the
agreement reached at the fifteenth Ministerial meeting
between Nepal and Bhutan in 2003 for the repatriation of
Category I and IV refugees. He also emphasized that his
country would only take responsibility for verified refugees
who were forcefully evicted and not for those who migrated
voluntarily. Wangchuck explained that he had met with the
Nepalese FM while at the UNGA meeting in September 2005 but
that a proposal to issue a joint statement explaining the
terms of procedure for repatriation was rejected. He stressed
that Bhutan was only prepared to follow-through on the
agreement to readmit Category I and IV refugees if the
process was "well prepared" and included informing the
refugees of the consequences of repatriation. He further
stated that the RGON has stalled the process through its
failure to provide adequate security measures in the refugee
camps to allow the resumption of the verification exercise.
During the meeting the EC raised concerns over the Category
II refugees (those who "voluntarily" migrated to Nepal),
which total over 70,000 people and comprise 70% of the
refugee population in the camps. The response from the FM
indicated that the first priority for the RGOB had to be the
Category I and IV refugees before developing a strategy for
the other categories.


3. (C) Commissioner Ferrero Waldner made a strong point to
the FM to find a solution for the refugee issue prior to the
transition to democracy, warning that this issue could impede
the democratization process. DG RELEX characterized the
meeting overall as positive and friendly, but lacking any
indication that a solution to the refugee situation was
imminent. They view the forthcoming Donor Roundtable in
Geneva as an opportunity to "put the onus" on Bhutan for
action on this issue, indicating that this was an opportunity
to send a strong message to the RGOB from the donor community
to stop using Nepal's problems as an excuse for inaction. DG
RELEX will represent the EC at the Donor Roundtable and their
representative, Rensje Teerink, has indicated her interest in
also attending the Core Group meeting being held just prior
to the start of the Roundtable.

Gray
.