BIOGRAPHY: BHUTAN'S FIRST DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 001019

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/INS, DRL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/08/2018
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL PINR KDEM IN BT INR
SUBJECT: BIOGRAPHY: BHUTAN'S FIRST DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED
PRIME MINISTER JIGMI THINLEY

REF: A. NEW DELHI 971

B. NEW DELHI 202

C. 07 NEW DELHI 5299

Classified By: PolCouns Ted Osius for reasons 1.4 (B,D)

After a Landslide Victory, A Leader is Tapped
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1. (SBU) On April 5, Druk Phuensum Tsogpa (DPT) President
Jigmi Thinley was unanimously endorsed by his party to serve
as Bhutan's first Prime Minister of its new democratically
elected government. On March 24, the DPT crushed the
opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP) during National
Assembly elections, leaving it with only two out of 47 seats
(ref A).

Prime Minister Jigmi Y. Thinley: An Experienced Bureaucrat
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2. (SBU) During Jigmi Thinley's long career, he served the
people of Bhutan in various capacities. Before democracy
broke out, Thinley held the position of Minister for Home and
Cultural Affairs from 2003-2007. Per the rules of the
Election Commission, he resigned this post prior to joining
politics and becoming the President of the DPT. Serving as
Prime Minister is not new for Thinley, who occupied this post
for a year between 2003-2004 and also in 1998-1999. He has
also served as the Minister for Foreign Affairs (1998-2003),
Secretary for the Ministry of Home Affairs (1993-1994,

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Governor of Eastern Bhutan (1990-1993),Joint Secretary for
the Ministry of Communications (1989-1990),Director and Head
of the Department of Education (1986-1987),and Secretary for
the Royal Civil Service Commission. Thinley has represented
Bhutan overseas while posted as the Permanent Representative
to the United Nations and Other International Organizations
in Geneva (1994-1998),at which time he was also the
accredited Ambassador to Austria, Denmark, Finland, the
Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the European
Union. In New York, Thinley served as the Ambassador,
Permanent Representative to the United Nations (1988-1989).

Beyond Government, But Still Representing the People of Bhutan
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3. (SBU) In addition to his many postings in government,
Thinley has served as a Member of the National Assembly of
Bhutan (1998-2007); a Member of the Planning Commission; the
President of the Center for Bhutan Studies; and the
Chairperson for Druk Air Corporation (Bhutan's national
airline). In the early 1980s, as the Assistant Secretary and
later as the Secretary of the Bhutan-India Friendship
Association, Thinley has been a key figure in deepening
Bhutan's relationship with its giant neighbor. He is
currently serving as an International Counselor for the Asia
Society and is a Member of the Smithsonian Leadership
Committee in order to "promote Bhutan's standing as a unique
culture around the world."

Personal Background
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4. (SBU) Born on September 9, 1952 in the eastern district of
Bumthang, Thinley left home at the age of 11. According to
his official biography, at an early age, he received a
government scholarship to study at Dr. Graham's Homes in
Kalimpong, India, where he excelled both academically and in
extra curricular activities. Thinley continued his studies
in India at the prestigious St. Stephen's College in Delhi
where he received his Bachelors degree in 1974. Throughout
his school years, Thinley was involved in theater and school
politics, and was elected President of the Youth Club. At
school in India his peers included current Bhutan Chief
Justice Sonam Tobgye, Bhutan Chief Election Commissioner
Khandu Wangchuck and his opponent, President of the PDP

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Sangye Ngedup. After college, Thinley was admitted to
Pennsylvania State University, where he obtained a Masters in
Public Administration in 1976.


5. (SBU) Thinley has traveled extensively and spoken at
various international fora, including at the UN General
Assembly and at SAARC meetings and summits. He also
published articles and papers on a number of topics
including: "Gross National Happiness" (2006); "Globalization
as seen by Developing Countries" (2002); "Gross National
Happiness and Human Development" (1999); "Decentralization
for Effective Dzongkhag Administration and Development"
(1979); and "Design for a Better System of Education in
Bhutan" (1976).


6. (SBU) Thinley's father was also a public servant for the
second and third Kings of Bhutan. Thinley is married to
Rinsy Dem with whom he has three children, two daughters and
a son. In addition to Dzongkha (the traditional Bhutanese
language),Thinley speaks Hindi and English fluently. His
hobbies include gardening and golf.

BIO NOTE
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7. (C) In November 2007, Assistant Secretary for Population
Refugees and Migration Ellen Sauerbrey and Poloff met
then-President of the DPT Jigmi Thinley (ref C). Thinley's
English was impeccable. He expressed frustration over the
lack of participation of women candidates in the election and
sought advice from Sauerbrey on how to increase their
participation. In contrast to his opponent and
brother-in-law, PDP President Sangye Ngedup, a brash
politician by Bhutanese standards, Thinley exuded the
qualities of a statesman.

DEIKUN