Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KATHMANDU391
2006-02-09 12:56:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kathmandu
Cable title:
AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES BHUTANESE REFUGEES WITH
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C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 000391
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SA/INA, PRM
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/10/2016
TAGS: PREF PREL PTER NP
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES BHUTANESE REFUGEES WITH
INDIAN AMBASSADOR
Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty, Reasons, 1.4 (b/d).
Concern About Bhutanese Refugees...
------------------------------------
C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 000391
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SA/INA, PRM
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/10/2016
TAGS: PREF PREL PTER NP
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES BHUTANESE REFUGEES WITH
INDIAN AMBASSADOR
Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty, Reasons, 1.4 (b/d).
Concern About Bhutanese Refugees...
--------------
1. (C) In a February 9 discussion with Indian Ambassador Shiv
Mukherjee, the Ambassador conveyed our concerns about the
lack of progress toward a comprehensive, durable solution for
the Bhutanese refugees. The Ambassador noted that we
expected Foreign Minister Pandey to send a letter to his
Bhutanese counterpart inviting him to come and settle the
terms and conditions for return and set a two month deadline
for action. Pandey would likely notify Thimpu that, if there
were no returns within two months, Nepal was prepared to
internationalize the issue. The Ambassador explained that
only Nepal's seemingly legitimate concern that Bhutan could
expel the 100,000 ethnic Nepalese still living in Bhutan at a
later date had kept Kathmandu involved in the bilateral
process.
... But India Has A Good Relationship with Bhutanese King
-------------- --------------
2. (C) Mukherjee agreed that it was key for Bhutan to take
back a few refugees to set a precedent to prevent further
expulsions, but acknowledged that it was unlikely. The
Ambassador stated that, failing Bhutan's accepting any
repatriation, the international community should try to get a
strong guarantee that Bhutan would not do any further ethnic
cleansing. He suggested that India might be able to play a
role in arranging for such a guarantee. Mukherjee commented
that India had a good relationship with Bhutan and that the
Bhutanese accommodated many of India's interests. Even
though the Government of India (GOI) understood that
Bhutanese refugee camps festering in Nepal could prove a
source of instability, he admitted, "Nobody in New Delhi
wants to lean on the Bhutanese King."
Comment
--------------
3. (C) An Indian role will be key in achieving a durable
solution to the Bhutanese refugee problem. While sympathetic
to the political realities, the GOI does not yet appear to
want to assume a role that could antagonize Thimpu.
MORIARTY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SA/INA, PRM
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/10/2016
TAGS: PREF PREL PTER NP
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES BHUTANESE REFUGEES WITH
INDIAN AMBASSADOR
Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty, Reasons, 1.4 (b/d).
Concern About Bhutanese Refugees...
--------------
1. (C) In a February 9 discussion with Indian Ambassador Shiv
Mukherjee, the Ambassador conveyed our concerns about the
lack of progress toward a comprehensive, durable solution for
the Bhutanese refugees. The Ambassador noted that we
expected Foreign Minister Pandey to send a letter to his
Bhutanese counterpart inviting him to come and settle the
terms and conditions for return and set a two month deadline
for action. Pandey would likely notify Thimpu that, if there
were no returns within two months, Nepal was prepared to
internationalize the issue. The Ambassador explained that
only Nepal's seemingly legitimate concern that Bhutan could
expel the 100,000 ethnic Nepalese still living in Bhutan at a
later date had kept Kathmandu involved in the bilateral
process.
... But India Has A Good Relationship with Bhutanese King
-------------- --------------
2. (C) Mukherjee agreed that it was key for Bhutan to take
back a few refugees to set a precedent to prevent further
expulsions, but acknowledged that it was unlikely. The
Ambassador stated that, failing Bhutan's accepting any
repatriation, the international community should try to get a
strong guarantee that Bhutan would not do any further ethnic
cleansing. He suggested that India might be able to play a
role in arranging for such a guarantee. Mukherjee commented
that India had a good relationship with Bhutan and that the
Bhutanese accommodated many of India's interests. Even
though the Government of India (GOI) understood that
Bhutanese refugee camps festering in Nepal could prove a
source of instability, he admitted, "Nobody in New Delhi
wants to lean on the Bhutanese King."
Comment
--------------
3. (C) An Indian role will be key in achieving a durable
solution to the Bhutanese refugee problem. While sympathetic
to the political realities, the GOI does not yet appear to
want to assume a role that could antagonize Thimpu.
MORIARTY