Now Its King JIgme Wangchuk of Bhutan to speak about the affairs of Nepal.

Is this a shrewd diplomatic comment or a wicked attempt to bully us???
Bhutan king worries over Maoist threat in Nepal

Posted online: Saturday, January 29, 2005 at 0000 hours IST




NEW DELHI, JAN 28: Warning there was ?real threat? of the Maoist problem in Nepal becoming more serious, Bhutan king Jigme Singye Wangchuk on Friday said this could have ?negative implications? for both India and his country and hoped some initiatives would be taken soon to resolve it.



?We sincerely hope that something positive will come out soon and some initiatives will be taken by the political parties in Nepal to resolve the Maoist problem,? the king, who returns home on Saturday at the end of the six-day state visit, told a select group of reporters here.

Wangchuk, who was the chief guest at the Republic day celebrations, was non-committal when asked whether he favoured Nepal taking a cue from the successful Bhutan-type military action to flush out Indian insurgents from his country.

?Each country has a different kind of problem, a different situation. The political parties and people of Nepal have to together solve their own problems in the best possible way,? he said.

Observing that the situation in Nepal was deteriorating, he said ?today the Maoists have total control more or less of the whole country?.

The visiting king frankly responded to a range of questions on Bhutan?s relations with India, China and the upcoming saarc summit in Dhaka.

Asked about reports that China would like to be a special invitee to the Saarc summit,he said ?this is a new issue that has come up...No decision has been taken by any of the Saarc countries? and added ?I don?t think this will be discussed in this summit?. ?There is real threat of Maoist situation becoming much more serious than it is today. If this happens, it will have negative implications for both India and Bhutan becuse we share common borders,? Wanghcuk said.

About the Army action to flush out Ulfa, National Democratic Front of Bodoland and KLO insurgents groups which were operating in Bhutan, he said ?there are no militant camps in any part of Bhutan now?.

New user

F88K Bhutanese BHOTETYS specaially all bhotes who gives a rats ass if Dalai Lamas center is closed in nepal, we got better things to take care of than cater 20000 tibs, when we have 200000 nepalis in jhapa to worry about,
about that Bhote King, I wish he dies, I wish nepali maoist start going into Bhutan and raise havaoc there, I hope some of this piss ass bhutani refugee realize shit and go back to bhutan and claim their rights, instead of crying all the time, everybody expecting for someone to do something for them, THey should form a group like maoist and go fight the bhotey raj.................

I think that Bhotey King has no right to speak about our political situation in nepal, it is not his concern if I see any Bhutani people here in USA I am going to give them a good beating.

LOL...LMAO.....

some Sajha Friends have been giving ample lot of comments and clarifications (with various academic stuffs) about the chances of China becoming a superpower.

AS a newuser, I was expecting to hear a lot from the panel of IR experts to deliver their ideas on this Jigme matter. (taking note of how extensively the former topic was discussed)
Does the BHutanese King really need to comment on the Maoist issue? And at this point of time. There is apparently not a dot of threat to Bhutan from the Nepali Maoists.

Maoists themselves have never spoken anything that should worry King Jigmey.They have not even raised the concerns about repatriating Nepali refugees .Neither have Nepalis sought any assistance or help or whatsoever from Buthan in this regard.
So does the King's comment have any relevence in the present scenario??Or he wants to dump the repatriation agenda out of bilateral dialogue.?
what implications are there of his comments. Does it matter anything with our diplomatic fragility or inability that a despotic(to the Nepali speaking minority) king sensing threat to his country from the rebels in Nepal while in visit to India? what observations does the students and experts of diplomacy and IR make out of this.

There are lots of books and journals and publications about China and Russia and Japan and India and US. But how are events of these nature observed by the Nepalese experts? why do you think JIgme has opened his mouth on Maoists now????I hope I would get answers to my questions from the learned people.Thanks
Newuser

No matrix,Bhutan king and Dalai Lama are not at the same level to like and didlike. The King should have focused on the state of his subjects living a destitute life in refugee camps of Nepal, that too is being neglected and exploited.
He should know that Maoist as he says, do not fall from the skies, but rather are created by apathy, neglect and discrimination, it is here he should understand that Southern Bhutan is fertile gorund to wage any armed revolution, not Nepalese moist having joined hand with millitant groups from NE India, the bottle neck or the corridior bridging may be taken up by the discriminated populace of his own country.
Rather than see bad situation in other country he should see how best he can serve his country. Too much reliance on India and handing over soverignity may be his optionless situation, but citing Nepali maoist threat to divert attention from the poor refugees from his country is a nice ploy played to perfection.

NeoMatrix...you are so pathetic..spewing your grudges against Bhoteys here in Sajha forum. Surely you cannot do anything if you come to face one..Such a hatred for us, wonder why is it so ?? Am not a Bhutanese nor a Tibetan but pure ethnic indigenious Nepali and a proud Bhote !! I do no harm to other people and have friends all over..inspite of these if there are people who hate me because of my ethnicity , then I consider it their short-coming and certainly a minority among human race, which will be extinct with time and maturity of human understanding. One thing I find very disturbing is the constant put down of Dalai Lama. He is no mumbo-jumbo magic man, he does not claim to cure you of all illness, he does not promise you health or wealth..and he certainly cannot produce "bibhuti" out of the thin air with a wave of his hand....he does not have millions in his account, nor collections of fancy cars,you will never ever find any body giving bad testimony about him once they meet him. He consider himself a humble Tibetan monk, and such he was born ..only fate put him in a position to be The Dalai Lama. If you are into books, may I suggest biography of His Holines The Dalai Lama .

Cuz he just want worl to distract about displaced Nepali ppl from bhutan. Since he is a byproduct of Indian Foreign Service(IFS) he knows when to derailed the topics and it was right time cuz UN humar rights were also visiting nepal. I dunno when Nepali Gov. will learn that they have to have one foreign police no matter whathever changes happens in goverment. Why our goverment is so lousy in matter of beaurocracy? Why our foreign service officers are ill trained? Why our Officers from Parrastra Mantraylaya are beaten so handsomly by South Block or some officials from Bhutan. I think we have to start thinking of this and start training our foreign service official. We must be able to find cream of the crop work force for that. Just for example in india IFS, IAS or IPS can be a carreer than why it cannot be in Nepal? Why we still think that being a doctor or engineer is only a proffession other than that are for the failed ppls? When can that menatality be changed?
Well i myself don't know an answer.

For swaati saying
---->>Just for example in india IFS, IAS or IPS can be a carreer than why it cannot be in Nepal? Why we still think that being a doctor or engineer is only a proffession other than that are for the failed ppls? When can that menatality be changed?
Well i myself don't know an answer.
Nepal ma tyo level samma pugna ki mantri ko jwai aathwa bhinaju hunuparyo ki nabahye chaplusi garna siknuparyo..no man with his own capabilities can ever find their way to top level in Nepal...so Nepal's brightest students want to choose carreer as doc or eng..becoz in this field they can make their own carrer with their own skills aaru ko kripa le hoina....Hope that makes an answer..but we sure have to find some good people with BRAINS to deal with those ppl at south block or those bhutanese...

Hamro Jigme SARNARTHI ASHRAM MA RAHEA BHUTANI sathi haru ma dherai usko desh ka nagrik na bhayea bhanuhuncha. Aba barbaric tarika pache lakhetepache kin bhagnuparetheyota bhanera sodhnuhuncha.
http://www.kantipuronline.com/nepali/kolnews.php?&nid=30321

NeoMatrix:

Dumb asxes like you are exactly type of people our netas love to have . And look at what we got now. Dont blame all the Bhotes. I am proud to be one and I think we bhotes have contributed equally for the country if not more.

Dalai Lama has done no harm to you. Because of Dalai Lama and his follower, Nepal is known as the center of Buddhism. 100s of millions of dollars if not billions pour into Nepal via tourism, pilgrimeges, trade, and etc. In fact, you should be proud of Tibetan Community. May be you can learn from them.

What does Nepal gain by closing the Tibetan Centers. It is not like we are funding them. It only ruined our tarnished image we have among the world community. We let them live for over 30 years they did nothing wrong to Nepal. In fact, our government was proud to have done this.

As a nation, we are so focking poor. Scenario lookes like one of our netas might have probably ask for more aids from China and they in turn might have asked us to close the Tibetan Office.

What we have lost is self respect and dignity. We are basically begging and willing to do whatever it takes.

Guys , it's not on Nepali bhotays we are discussing about. They are doing nothing wrong to our country. There may be some bad ones amongst them but bad people are found in every caste and communities. Lets focus on the real topic which is abt JIgme Wangchuk comments.

Just read the interview. Interesting, very interesting indeed. Yet to read our Pararastra Mantralaya's statement on this.

As far as my limited thinking goes, Jigme is merely voicing the Indian concerns. Given that the Maoists do not pose any threat to Bhutan, what he said in the interview is nothing more than what the South Block wanted him to say. No one seems to agree when I say taht India is concerned about growing Maoist insurgency in Nepal. India certainly doesn't want a failed state in it's backyard. India is sending a signal to Nepal through Jigme: Let's work together to curb the insurgency because you have failed to do it yourself. This is it. If India is to make a statement for a joint military operation, it will be rejected ouytright by the HMG. Therefore, India is making this proposal indirectly through Jigme.

How do you de-code Jigme's words?

Jigme didn't say it in Thimpu, he said it in India. Also look at the timing: Jigme said it after reviewing the President Day Parade of the Indian joint forces!!! Given Bhutan's special relationship with India, Jigme possibely couldn't have said those words, or even commented about Nepal and other issues of foreign affairs in the Rastrapati Bhawan in New Delhi without India's approval. Therefore, the topic of discussion should be "India voices its concerns" , not "King Jigme speks. why?? "

NeoMatrix,

You are a racist SOB. I bet you are one of those guys who can BEAT UP other people on the net behind a monitor with your keyboard. I am not from Bhutan, but I am what one would slur with a "bhote" tag in Nepal. Since you want to beat up anyone you meet from Bhutan, why don't you tell us who you are and where one can find you? We can make this "meeting" happen and not wait for fate to bring it your way.

If you want to discuss the matter in an intelligent way, I suggest you stop using racial slurs and apologize for doing so.

B_D.

Swaati Ji le thik bhannu bhayo. aaba ma yaha lai maile janey-bujhe anusar ko uttar dinchu.

"dunno when Nepali Gov. will learn that they have to have one foreign police no matter whathever changes happens in goverment. Why our goverment is so lousy in matter of beaurocracy"

This is becuase we are yet to identify our national interests. We do not have a consensus nor consistency regarding our relations with India. Each party has it's own policy on India and the world. This is why we seem to fail all the time. So the key to having a sound, consistent foreign policy is to achieve a national consensus on the key issues first, then incorporate that in our foreign policy agenda.

"Why our Officers from Parrastra Mantraylaya are beaten so handsomly by South Block or some officials from Bhutan. I think we have to start thinking of this and start training our foreign service official. We must be able to find cream of the crop work force for that. Just for example in india IFS, IAS or IPS can be a carreer than why it cannot be in Nepal? Why we still think that being a doctor or engineer is only a proffession other than that are for the failed ppls? When can that menatality be changed? "

This is because our Pararastra Mantralaya staff are selected in the most ineffective manner, that is through Lok Sewa Aayog Ko Jaanch! Its one of the most stupidest test I have ever seen. All you have to do to get into foreign service is memorize 3 essays- Nepal ko Pararastra Niti ra Asamlagnata (Nepal's foreign policy and non-allignmnet), SAARC Ko Mahatwa (The Importance of SAARC) and Panchasheel ra Nepali Pararastra Niti.. the questions are like this. You don't even have to think. You go buy those Section Officers guidebooks sold in Putalisadak, Bagbajar and memorize. Then comes your interview.. And we all know how things work in Nepali job interviews.

Its not that we didn't have good people at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. These days, qualified people just don't want to join the HMG and the HMG doesn't want the qualified people. So who gets in? Only those who are unbqulaified to compete in the private sector or INGOs. How they get in? By memorizing those afore-mentioned essay questions. Welcome to Nepali bureaucracy.

Let me add something:

In my interactions with Buda-Pakas from Pararastra Mantralaya when I was in Kathmandu, they all seemed concerned about the quality of the foreign service people these days. They were not very happy with the Sasnkritization of Pararastra Mantralaya.. Don't get me wrong. I am a Bahun and I like Sanskrit, but I too would love to see someone with an IR or Political Science or Economics degree from a good university working for the Ministry than someone straight out of Teendhara Paathsaala and TU ko Sanskrit or English Literature department. If you look at many of our diplomat's resume, they are Teendhara paathsaala graduate and MA in English Literature from TU. aani kaha bata ramro huncha ta Pararastra Mantralaya?

Isolated Freak
Thank you for joining in the discussion. I guess you are some one with a cutting edge in diplomatic affairs.

First, on the fringe side of the discussion arised from Swati's comments.

'Lok Sewa Aayog Ko Jaanch! Its one of the most stupidest test I have ever seen. All you have to do to get into foreign service is memorize 3 essays- Nepal ko Pararastra Niti ra Asamlagnata (Nepal's foreign policy and non-allignmnet), SAARC Ko Mahatwa (The Importance of SAARC) and Panchas'heel ra Nepali Pararastra Niti.. '

I don't think this is the truest of assesement on the officers of Shital Niwas. Lok Sewa's question papers may not be appropriate but the selection procedure in the MOFA is still regarded as the most fair of all in Nepal's bureaucracy. From whatever is available, they select the best of people possible by means of written examination. And only talented people make way to the most attractive place available in the government. (Attractive, in a sense that they can get posting in foreign countries at least in some time of their career and a earn a good living).They are genuinely talented people and have the ability to perform nicely if provided with a conducive working environment.The problem lies in the politicization of bueaucracy. from the very day of their posting, they are forced to act according to the interest of mananiya mantri. And hence they cannot hone their skills and talent to be good diplomat. However there are people with a good insight on the diplomatic affairs of Nepal in Shital Niwas. They have a good understanding of the subjects including Bhutanese refugee problem, but they don't get the oppertunity to use it in place. I met One undersecretary in the MOFA who is undertaking a year's Diplomatic course in Trinity, Oxford, recently. Nice man, he says that our government doesn't encourage MOFA officials to initiate diplomatic efforts. There initiation starts only if a minister or the prime minister wants to make foreign visits. You know MOFA officials were not asked or briefed on the recently cancelled King's visit to india, everything was planned by the palace officials. SO how can they work properly to the interest of the nation? Because the Government is dead deaf, dead dumb, it's been more then years since Bhutan and Nepal's foreign minister have not been able to resume dialogue on refugee repatriation. Shital Niwas people have been disappointed by the lack of vision and support from the fm, ruling party, the government and palace.

'No one seems to agree when I say taht India is concerned about growing Maoist insurgency in Nepal. India certainly doesn't want a failed state in it's backyard. India is sending a signal to Nepal through Jigme: Let's work together to curb the insurgency because you have failed to do it yourself.'

I cannot agree on this version as well . Almost similar to the assertion made by 'the economist' recently. If India really wanted to settle the Maoist issue for good, I think it can do much better then what it has been doing till date.

"Thank you for joining in the discussion. I guess you are some one with a cutting edge in diplomatic affairs. "

Nay. Niet (as they say it in Russian). Hoina. Bu Shi. I am just a student of international politics with no real-life experience.

If India wants stability in Nepal,
It can force Bhutan to take their citizens back to home.King Jigme is a puppet of India, no debate. He always supports India's stance in the international forum. Bhutan has lambasted Pakistan in SAARC meeting just to pay respect to India. SO if India is willing, the 200 thousand refugees can go home tomorrow. It opened the door for them to come to Nepal and shut it when they wanted to go back, just after few weeks they flocked in to Nepal, as far as I know.
India doesn't want to see stability in Nepal otherwise it could pursue Jigme to take back his citizens.

Same In case of Maoist insurgency as well. Obviously it may not want to see the insurgency surge up to uncontrollabe height. but wickedly, India doesn't want to see the crisis resolved either way. It wants to keep it in balance so that it can use the crisis to the best of it's interest in the future. So that it can bargain every time.

India wanting, Deuba government would have already gone. It wants to demonstrate to pro democratic party that it opposses absolute monarchy in Nepal. Fine. But if he can block the Kings attempt to oust Deuba government, why can't he pursuade the King to make an all party government and build some sort of consensus with them to tackle the Maoist issue? Simple it doesn't want to see stability in Nepal. it wants to use the instability as a bargain chip and force Nepali leaders to sign on some unfair treaties and accords. India is waiting for a big oppurtunity to interfere on Nepal in a much larger scale. The maosit problem doesn't bother South Block at all. This is something that has helped them to keep Nepal in check and balance> And now they have used Jigme to exploit from this problem . Nepal must oppose is some way to Jigme for his latest remarks.

So why not you join SHital Niwas to restructure it???

And thanks for your views on Sheetal Niwas. I agree with you when you say that we haven't institutionalized the foreign service. I see your point. But if the staff are qualified and confident of their ability, they can do it. They can say to the ministers or whoever interfares in their working to leave them alone. Why aren't our ministry people saying that now? I mean, if they were the cream of the corp, what makes them dance to the tune of a mantri? Why can't they be like foreign ministry people elsewhere in the world? Maybe they have a good english skills, maybe they know how to use spoon and forks without making noise, but they lack the skills necessary to promote Nepal's interests abroad. If they can't promote their own interests within the ministry in Nepal, how can you expect them to do good abroad? :"-)..

I agree that education alone is not a qualification to become a good diplomat. However, if you can combine your education with your diplomatic skills, like the old diplomats like Jharendra Narayan Singh, Yadunath Khanal, Jagadish Shumsher, Narendra Bikram Shah- did, then our foreign ministry would be so much better. Those advisors/diplomats knew theyw ere competent, knew they work well, were educated (not all studied IR though) and were aware of their responsibilities, which in turn made them confident. They didn't let anyone interfare in their working, and promoted our interests abroad. Now, its all messed up. Either people are lacking in education or skills or confidence, which makes it easier for the mantris to override their suggestions/ them.

My views..