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Kathmandu Saturday January 20, 2001 Magh 07, 2057.
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Bhutan’s upperhand
This refers to the news item "Nepal, Bhutan form refugee verification
team" published in The Kathmandu Post dated Jan 5, 2001. It is good to know that
Bhutan has ultimately managed to depute the long awaited verification team. And, I am sure
all are euphoric over the new developments. But, I have my doubts about the whole
exercise. Bhutan has always managed to have the upper hand over Nepal for the last ten
years. And, this time too, they have done a subtle trick. The man named to head the
Bhutanese team is one who, as a Bhutanese myself, I know very well, and in fact right from
my school days.
Dr Sonam Tenzin, is said to be a "with sweet tongue and dagger in
hand" person. His personal credentials and close link with the King’s ADC, Gup
Wangchhen, (another man with same credentials), was instrumental in his transfer from
medical practice to his becoming the District Administrator of the southern district of
Sarbhang at the start of the refugee exodus from Bhutan.
As far as I can say, Dr Sonam Tenzin is not in a hurry to finish this job
quickly. After all, every day of his stay in Nepal will fetch him $ 150 as daily
allowances and, of course, he is in the job he likes most - making as many Nepali speaking
Bhutanese non-citizen as possible.
I must say, Nepal may be seeing the proverbial light at the end of the
tunnel, but for us another decade of sojourn in Nepal seems to be imminent. Let’s
hope Nepal will try and maintain the international pressure on Bhutan to quicken the whole
process.
Binod Badeidah
Jhapa, Nepal |
