US embassy cable - 05NEWDELHI2844

C O N F I D E N T I A L NEW DELHI 002844 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/13/2015 
TAGS: AORC, PGOV, PREF, PREL, PHUM, KDEM, IN, NP, BT, CU, Bhutan, Human Rights 
SUBJECT: BHUTAN WILL ABSTAIN ON CHR RESOLUTION ON CUBA WITH 
US SUPPORT ON THE REFUGEE SITUATION 
 
REF: STATE 49957 
 
Classified By: Ambassador David C. Mulford, for Reasons 1.4 (B, D) 
 
1.  (C) Bhutan has agreed in principle to abstain on the CHR 
resolution on Cuba, but has specifically asked for stronger 
US support and understanding on the issue of the refugee 
camps in Nepal, Bhutanese Ambassador Tshering stated during 
an April 14 phone call with the Ambassador.  He commented 
that he would like a "gentlemen's agreement" with the US that 
if Bhutan votes in a way favorable to the US on the Cuba 
resolution, that the US would support a plan for Bhutan to 
only accept Category 1 refugees and dismantle the refugee 
camps in Nepal.  Tshering argued that the refugees living in 
Nepal are not of strategic importance to the US, but are of 
vital strategic importance to the Royal Government of Bhutan. 
 
 
2.  (C) Tshering asserted after the abstention last year 
regarding Cuba, Bhutan lost friends and annoyed a number of 
countries which accused Bhutan of breaking ranks.  The RGOB 
would still like to strengthen its position with the US.  He 
stated that Bhutan would support the US on the Cuba 
resolution and "other areas where you need our support," on 
the understanding that the US will support the Bhutanese on 
the issue of the camps in Nepal by specifically indicating 
its support for Bhutan to accept Category 1 refugees and to 
then push for dismantling the camps with the balance of 
refugees going elsewhere. 
 
3.  (C)  Tshering added that there seems to be a 
misunderstanding in Washington that the Bhutanese are 
delaying the implementation of the Dewey/Wangchuck agreement. 
 He reiterated that the RGOB is waiting for the Government of 
Nepal to respond to the US authored plan and begin meetings 
of the two Ambassadors here in Delhi.  Tshering (who is 
credentialed to Kathmandu) noted that he has also sought an 
appointment with the King of Nepal in order to discuss the 
matter, but has not received a response.  He believes Bhutan 
should not be accused of dragging its feet when it has made 
an offer to cooperate, which remains in place today, but has 
never received a response indicating willingness by Nepal to 
engage in negotiations. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
4.  (C) The Ambassador agrees with the Bhutanese point of 
view and believes that is also best reflects the realities on 
the ground.  It is likely that Bhutan will only accept 
Category 1 refugees, and US efforts to resolve the problem 
have begun to reflect this reality. The Ambassador recommends 
we accept the Bhutanese offer. 
MULFORD