Allow us in bilateral talks, Rizal says

Kathmandu, October 18: Chairman of the Bhutanese Movement Steering Committee (BMSC) Tek Nath Rizal has asked the representation of exiled Bhutanese community and Indian government in the forth-coming talks between the government of Nepal and Bhutan to find solution of the protracted crisis of the exiled Bhutanese.

Addressing an interaction here on Wednesday, Rizal said there is no meaning of holding talks between Nepal and Bhutan governments unless Indian and representatives of the exiled Bhutanese are allowed to sit in the talks.

He said, India and the US are not positive towards finding permanent solution of the refugee crisis. "The offer of the US government to resettle over 60,000 exiled Bhutanese in its country would further encourages the Bhutanese regime for eviction and legitimise the forceful eviction of over 100,000 citizens," he said.

He also accused that the government of Nepal is not taking strong stand on this issue. "We do not destine to live in the US. We want to get back and begin our new life in Bhutan. Nepal should stress for repatriation of the exiled Bhutanese," he added.

Third country settlement would legalise the atrocities of the Bhutanese regime, Rizal said further.

Rizal also warned of movement against the third country settlement proposal if India, Nepal and the US do not emphasise repatriation of exiled Bhutanese to their homeland.

The offer of the US government to settle 60,000 of over 107,000 exiled Bhutanese within the next 3-4 years have brought sharp division among exiled Bhutanese leaders. UNHCR has said it would conduct a survey along with census after Tihar to find out how many of the exiled Bhutanese wanted to repatriate and how many of them want to resettle in third country. Bhutan News Service