US embassy cable - 05NEWDELHI9029

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 009029 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/26/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PREF, PTER, PHUM, IN, BT, NP, Bhutan, Human Rights 
SUBJECT: RGOB: NEED CATEGORY 1 AND 4 REPATRIATION AGREEMENT 
IN WRITING 
 
REF: A. KATHMANDU 2568 
     B. NEW DELHI 8893 
 
Classified By: PolCouns Geoff Pyatt for Reasons 1.4 (B, D) 
 
1.  (C) Summary: Bhutan is ready to accept category 1 and 4 
refugees from the Khudunabari camp, but needs Nepal to agree 
to the proposal in writing, which Nepal seems unwilling to 
do, Bhutanese Ambassador Tshering stated in a December 1 
meeting with PolCouns and PolOff.  The Ambassador reported 
that Bhutanese FM Wangchuk gave Nepalese FM Pandey the 
conditions for return during the November 12-13 SAARC summit, 
and that a joint delivery of these points to the refugees 
must precede any repatriation.  He reiterated Thimphu's 
position that issues with Khudunabari camp should be 
finalized before restarting joint verification of the 
remaining camps and that Thimphu does not see a role for 
international monitors during resettlement efforts.  The RGOB 
is willing to work with whichever group is in power in 
Kathmandu, whether it is the King or the political parties in 
order to move the resettlement process forward, but remains 
very concerned about Maoist infiltration into the camps, 
Tshering reported.  Tshering passed us an article from "The 
 
SIPDIS 
Telegraph" of Calcutta reporting the arrest of a Bhutanese 
refugee in the Indian town of Kurseong for having Maoist 
links, noting Bhutanese concerns of a nexus between camp 
residents and Maoist groups.  He stated that he had no 
information about a report from the Human Rights Organization 
of Bhutan (HUROB) concerning the arrest of four refugees for 
distributing pamphlets in the southern Bhutanese town of 
Phuntsholing.  Separately, the Ambassador revealed the King 
began his "road show" to discuss the new constitution with 
the people and has completed two of Bhutan's 20 districts. 
End Summary. 
 
Tshering: "Nepal Has Cold Feet" 
 
SIPDIS 
------------------------------- 
 
2.  (C) Nepalese FM Pandey experienced a case of "cold feet" 
in Dhaka and was unwilling to follow through on the agreement 
made between Bhutan and Nepal during the September 2005 UNGA 
for the immediate repatriation of category 1 and 4 refugees 
from the Khudunabari camp, Tshering remarked.  He suggested 
that Nepal's unwillingness to put the agreement in writing 
raises doubts about the government's sincerity, and that 
relying solely on a verbal agreement could lead to further 
confusion, especially if there is a change of regime in 
Kathmandu.  It is important to solidify the agreement in 
writing so we can move forward, Tshering asserted.  He 
reiterated the RGOB position that verification and 
repatriation of Khudunabari should be completed before 
starting work on other camps. 
 
First Deliver Terms and Conditions of Return 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
3.  (C) Tshering commented that Bhutan and Nepal must jointly 
deliver the terms and conditions for return to the camp 
residents before any voluntary repatriation can take place. 
We must provide these conditions, developed under the laws of 
each country, to the camp residents so they can make an 
educated decision as to what they would like to do, Tshering 
said.  He noted that the RGOB had provided the GON with a 
copy of these terms and conditions.  Tshering also indicated 
that the RGOB does not want international monitors to oversee 
resettlement efforts in Bhutan, and "only after the 
resettlement occurs, and a need arises, would such assistance 
be requested."  Tshering signaled Bhutan would be able to 
move forward on the repatriation shortly after the conditions 
were shared with the refugees. 
Willing to Work With Either the King or Political Parties 
--------------------------------------------- ------------ 
 
4.  (C) Noting that Bhutan is in a "strange situation," 
having to deal with an unstable regime in which the political 
parties have stated (sic) they would disavow any agreements 
made by the King, Tshering asserted that Bhutan would "not be 
deterred."  He said the RGOB would work with either group to 
resolve the refugee issue and that the main concern is 
finding a durable and lasting solution.  PolCouns remarked 
that the USG was pleased to hear that the political turmoil 
in Nepal had not stopped Bhutan's willingness to move forward. 
 
Maoists, Maoists Everywhere! 
---------------------------- 
 
5.  (C) Passing us a November 5 article from "The Telegraph" 
out of Calcutta reporting on the arrest of a camp resident in 
the Indian town of Kurseong (30 kilometers from Darjeeling) 
for having ties to the Maoists, Tshering reiterated Bhutanese 
concerns that Maoists had infiltrated the camps, and that 
they were developing ties with other militant/terrorist 
groups in the region.  He said, "we are a little nervous, and 
can ill afford the nexus of the United Liberation Front of 
Assam (ULFA), the Bodos and the Maoists, sneaking into 
Bhutan, especially during a time of democratic change." 
However, he indicated that these fear would not prevent the 
repatriation of category 1 and 4 refugees under the latest 
agreement, or a finding broader solution to the problem. 
 
Arrest of Pamphleteers in Phuntsholing 
-------------------------------------- 
 
6.  (C) PolCouns raised concern about the reported arrest of 
four refugees in the southern Bhutanese town of Phuntsholing 
for distributing pamphlets calling for the repatriation of 
the refugee population.  Tshering stated that he had not 
heard about the HUROB report.  (Note: HUROB sent us an email 
on November 28 claiming that four refugees were arrested that 
day by the Royal Bhutanese Army and their whereabouts are 
unknown.  End Note.)  Tshering discounted the accusation, 
stating that there are "umpteen numbers of these groups" in 
Nepal, many linked to the Maoists, and they often make 
unsubstantiated allegations. 
 
A Democratic King Begins Educational Tour 
----------------------------------------- 
 
7.  (U) In order to inform the Bhutanese populace about 
democracy and the draft constitution, Tshering told us that 
King Wangchuck has begun his educational "road show" around 
the country and has completed audiences in two of Bhutan's 20 
districts.  Tshering was noncommittal as to when he thinks 
the referendum on the constitution would take place. 
MULFORD