Sauerbrey hold closed door meetings, government and media mum

Thimphu, November 06: Since her arrival in Thimphu on Sunday evening, US Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and Migration Ellen Sauerbrey has busied herself in meeting leaders, government ministers, bureaucrats and policy makers.

However, the government has not given any details of her visit and the issues of discussion held with various persons.

During her five-day visit to this Himalayan country, she was scheduled to discuss the issues of Bhutanese citizens evicted by the Bhutanese regime some 18 years ago and other issues of bilateral interest. 

While she left Kathmandu for Thimphu, Ellen had assured to put pressure on Bhutan and Indian government for respectful return of those who do not wish to resettle in foreign land as the offered made by the US and some European and American countries.

Like the government, media remain mum since publication of any materials related to exiled Bhutanese, even if it is discussed at the government level, will term the publications or the media house as anti-national leading to cancellation of the license.

The government strictly avoids giving details of the discussion. Media here expect nothing more than usual and redundant statement from both the sides that they were committed to end the two-decade long crisis. Bhutan News Service