BHUTAN INVITES NEPALESE FM TO THIMPHU TO DISCUSS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 002167

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/30/2016
TAGS: PREF PREL PHUM IN BT NP
SUBJECT: BHUTAN INVITES NEPALESE FM TO THIMPHU TO DISCUSS

REFUGEES

REF: KATHMANDU 745

Classified By: PolCouns Geoff Pyatt, Reason 1.5 (B,D)


1. (C) Summary: Bhutanese Ambassador Tshering told PolCouns
and PolOff on March 30 that the RGOB invited Nepalese Foreign
Minister Pandey to Thimphu to expedite a solution to the
refugee problem. In a welcome reversal of his previous
statements to us, Tshering asserted that the RGOB position on
the refugees "is very clear, with no ambiguity" and that his
government would stand by all agreements. He told us that
the RGOB's latest letter to Foreign Minister Pandey
reaffirmed that Bhutan would abide by the agreed-upon
repatriation process and asked that a two member team from
Bhutan be allowed to visit the Khudunabari Camp for that
purpose. Tshering suggested that Nepal was not truly in
favor of finding a solution to the problem, citing
Kathmandu's refusal to allow UNHCR to conduct re-registration
at the camps and its unwillingness to provide exit permits
for vulnerable refugees. Tshering's message is a reiteration
of Bhutan's tried and true response to the refugee problem,
but the meeting between FMs Wangchuk and Pandey in Thimphu
could yield detailed Bhutanese terms and conditions for
return. If so, progress will have been made. End Summary.

Proposed Meeting of Foreign Ministers in Thimphu
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2. (C) Tshering told us that during the latest phone call
between FMs Wangchuk and Pandey, FM Wangchuk invited his
counterpart to Thimphu to expedite a resolution of the
refugee issue. Tshering reported that Wangchuk reaffirmed
Bhutan's commitment to the agreements already made, expressed
its willingness to continue the bilateral process, and
expressed its readiness to repatriate Category 1 and 4
refugees. The letter from FM Wangchuk outlined these points
as well as requesting that a two-person team from Bhutan be
allowed to visit Khudunabari to discuss repatriation with
camp residents, Tshering remarked. (Note: PolCouns requested
a paper containing the details of the letter, which Tshering
indicated he would provide. End Note.) Tshering indicated
that Bhutan was willing to set a date by which the Category 1
and 4 refugees would be able to return to Bhutan. He noted
that the RGOB would then be open to finding solutions for
category 2 refugees.

Pointing a Finger at Nepal
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3. (C) Tshering stated that "Pandey's response was not very
positive," and there is a sense in Thimphu that Nepal is
"disinterested" in resolving the problem. He highlighted
Nepal's unwillingness to allow UNHCR to conduct
re-registration of the camps and its refusal to give exit
permits to vulnerable refugees as examples of Kathmandu's
intransigence. "The letter we received from Pandey contained
a different message than what was discussed in Dhaka,"
Tshering also claimed. He concluded that the RGOB has not

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received a response to FM Wangchuk's letter or invitation to
meet on the subject in Thimphu.

Comment: The Back and Forth Continues
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4. (C) Tshering's message reiterating Bhutanese commitment
to the repatriation process reflected a welcome reversal of
his stance. RGOB policy is designed to minimize the number

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of refugees they must eventually take back and it is clear
Bhutan is in no great hurry to start repatriations. However,
with the USG having little leverage to press the RGOB into
action, we suggest continued support for the bilateral
process, including direct appeals to King Wangchuck to
resolve the problem and encouraging the meeting between
Foreign Ministers in Thimphu. Some good may yet come of such
a meeting.


5. (U) Visit New Delhi's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/sa/newdelhi/
MULFORD