Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06NEWDELHI5035
2006-07-18 13:08:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy New Delhi
Cable title:
DALAI LAMA REPRESENTATIVE REQUESTS USG SUPPORT IN
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UNCLAS NEW DELHI 005035
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL IN PREF
SUBJECT: DALAI LAMA REPRESENTATIVE REQUESTS USG SUPPORT IN
FACE OF GROWING PRC PRESSURE
UNCLAS NEW DELHI 005035
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL IN PREF
SUBJECT: DALAI LAMA REPRESENTATIVE REQUESTS USG SUPPORT IN
FACE OF GROWING PRC PRESSURE
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Dalai Lama Representative Tempa Tsering,
delivered a letter to the charge' on July 17 requesting
greater USG engagement with the Government of Nepal (GON) on
the Tibetan refugee issue in light of increased pressure from
China. He noted that the PRC will send Vice Foreign Minister
Wu Daewi to Nepal for a three day visit on July 27,
purportedly to press the GON to close down the Tibetan
Reception Center, limit the migration of Tibetans into Nepal
and to stop issuing exit permits to Tibetans wishing to visit
India. Tsering said the international community needs to
exert more pressure on the GON to ensure the refugees are
treated in accordance with the United Nations Refugee
Convention and Protocols and the United Nations Universal
Declaration of Human Rights. End Summary.
2. (SBU) In a July 17 meeting with the Charge', Dalai Lama
Representative Tempa Tsering delivered a letter highlighting
the situation of approximately 20,000 Tibetan refugees
settled in Nepal (with an additional 2,500-3,000 refugees
arriving annually). He noted that, although the GON has a
history of sympathy and support for the refugees, it may
revoke rights previously granted to the refugees under
increased PRC pressure. Tsering maintained that the upcoming
visit of PRC Vice Foreign Minister Wu Daewi is part of an
increased campaign meant to pressure the GON to end its
assistance to Tibetan refugees. He pointed out that the PRC
is pressuring the GON to stop issuing refugee identification
cards to new arrivals from Tibet. In a GON press release
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sharma Oli stated
that his government would not relent and would continue to
issue the cards on "humanitarian grounds." Press reports
also note that the PRC has taken issue with recent reports
from the Himalayan News Service that Tibetan refugees
currently in Nepal are being resettled in the US.
3. (SBU) Tsering told the Charge that he met with EU
representatives in Delhi last week and plans to meet with
Norwegian and Japanese government representatives this week
to ask them to also engage the GON on the refugee issue. In
addition, he informed the GOI during the week of July 10-14
of the Dali Lama's apprehension over increasing Chinese
pressure. The GOI reportedly responded that it shared his
concern and would 'see how it could be of help'. He
attributed the GOI response to improved Indo-Nepal relations
following the end of the King's rule. Tsering also claimed
that the GOI demonstrated its support by continuing to issue
Special Entry Permits for Tibetans -- even after the RGON
stopped issuing travel documents to the refugees. He
commented that there has been no erosion of Indian support
for Tibetan refugees, even in light of the recent opening of
the Nathu La Pass border crossing.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: Post supports efforts by the Dalai
Lama's office to ensure that the rights of Tibetan refugees
in Nepal are respected. We will continue to interact with
the Dali Lama's New Delhi representative to monitor this
situation and ensure that the USG is kept informed of
developments. END COMMENT
PYATT
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL IN PREF
SUBJECT: DALAI LAMA REPRESENTATIVE REQUESTS USG SUPPORT IN
FACE OF GROWING PRC PRESSURE
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Dalai Lama Representative Tempa Tsering,
delivered a letter to the charge' on July 17 requesting
greater USG engagement with the Government of Nepal (GON) on
the Tibetan refugee issue in light of increased pressure from
China. He noted that the PRC will send Vice Foreign Minister
Wu Daewi to Nepal for a three day visit on July 27,
purportedly to press the GON to close down the Tibetan
Reception Center, limit the migration of Tibetans into Nepal
and to stop issuing exit permits to Tibetans wishing to visit
India. Tsering said the international community needs to
exert more pressure on the GON to ensure the refugees are
treated in accordance with the United Nations Refugee
Convention and Protocols and the United Nations Universal
Declaration of Human Rights. End Summary.
2. (SBU) In a July 17 meeting with the Charge', Dalai Lama
Representative Tempa Tsering delivered a letter highlighting
the situation of approximately 20,000 Tibetan refugees
settled in Nepal (with an additional 2,500-3,000 refugees
arriving annually). He noted that, although the GON has a
history of sympathy and support for the refugees, it may
revoke rights previously granted to the refugees under
increased PRC pressure. Tsering maintained that the upcoming
visit of PRC Vice Foreign Minister Wu Daewi is part of an
increased campaign meant to pressure the GON to end its
assistance to Tibetan refugees. He pointed out that the PRC
is pressuring the GON to stop issuing refugee identification
cards to new arrivals from Tibet. In a GON press release
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sharma Oli stated
that his government would not relent and would continue to
issue the cards on "humanitarian grounds." Press reports
also note that the PRC has taken issue with recent reports
from the Himalayan News Service that Tibetan refugees
currently in Nepal are being resettled in the US.
3. (SBU) Tsering told the Charge that he met with EU
representatives in Delhi last week and plans to meet with
Norwegian and Japanese government representatives this week
to ask them to also engage the GON on the refugee issue. In
addition, he informed the GOI during the week of July 10-14
of the Dali Lama's apprehension over increasing Chinese
pressure. The GOI reportedly responded that it shared his
concern and would 'see how it could be of help'. He
attributed the GOI response to improved Indo-Nepal relations
following the end of the King's rule. Tsering also claimed
that the GOI demonstrated its support by continuing to issue
Special Entry Permits for Tibetans -- even after the RGON
stopped issuing travel documents to the refugees. He
commented that there has been no erosion of Indian support
for Tibetan refugees, even in light of the recent opening of
the Nathu La Pass border crossing.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: Post supports efforts by the Dalai
Lama's office to ensure that the rights of Tibetan refugees
in Nepal are respected. We will continue to interact with
the Dali Lama's New Delhi representative to monitor this
situation and ensure that the USG is kept informed of
developments. END COMMENT
PYATT