US asks Bhutan to take its citizens

Thimphu, September 2: The delegation of the US congress currently in Bhutan visit has urged Bhutan government to accept its citizens in Nepal and initiate repatriation process.
 
Republican Congress member Jim Kolbe, leader of the delegation, who is also the Chairman of the Sub Committee on Foreign Operations, called on the Bhutan government for repatriation of those who are its actual citizens, if not all.

He said that the Bhutan government need to show good faith to repatriate even a small number of those that it has agreed are citizens.

"Nonetheless, they are still in camps and some of them, may be many of them, are people who do qualify to come back to Bhutan because they are and were citizens of this country," Kolbe said.

He said the remaining people could either be reintegrated in Nepal, India, or if they believe Bhutan is their homeland and they are not able to return, be resettled in third countries like the US.   "That would eliminate a vast majority of this problem and it remains a contentious issue between Nepal and Bhutan," said Kolbe.

The delegation received an audience with His Majesty the King on August 30.

"For a monarch to voluntarily have faith in his people, to vest power into them and place the future of the country in their hands was tremendously courageous and wise, not just to do it, but the manner in which it is being done," said Democrat MP Brian Baird during the meeting. "It is very deliberative, thoughtful, methodical and systematic way of preparing leadership and citizens for this important transition."

Kolbe also expressed the desire of the US to increase cooperation cultural and educational exchanges and opening opportunities for trade of crafts and other Bhutanese products in the US.

'Bhutan at birth of republic'
Kathmandu, September 3: The online version of the government-owned Kuensel weekly quoted the US congressmen as saying that that they were privileged to be in Bhutan, which was at the birth of a 'democratic republic'.

This is the first time that the media stated Bhutan growing into democratic republic. It would be astonishing that Bhutan is growing into democratic republic even while the drafted constitution has so much provision for absolute monarchy and that the king has already announced to pass on the throne to his son to give continuity to monarchical system in the country. Bhutan News Service