NATIONAL 4 - (Spotlight Weekly)

‘After This Visit We Realized That India's Role Is Crucial To The Solution Of Bhutanese Refugees Problem’

— Thomas Mann

THOMAS MANN, Vice President of the SAARC committee of European Parliament, recently visited Nepal and discussed different issues with the Nepalese parliament members and government officials. Member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) of Germany, Mann has been the member of the European parliament since 1994. As an MP well aware about problems and challenges of South Asian region, Mann spoke to KESHAB POUDEL on Monday morning on various issues including repatriation of Bhutanese refugees. Excerpts:

What sort of issues did you discuss with Nepalese officials during your visit here?

We discussed on wide ranging issues including the role of civil society, good governance and Bhutanese refugees. One of the important issues of discussion was to link politics and civil society. I am very happy that people are integrated with political parties. Human rights is another issue all of us discussed as it is the top priority of European Parliament. I discussed the same issues when I visited Nepal in 1995 as one of the members of European parliament. After our first visit, Nepal and European Union signed agreement for future cooperation. Human rights is one of the important components in our cooperation. If human right is ignored, all the programs can be frozen. People often think that Europeans stress for economic affairs only. It is not true. We always believe that human rights is important matter. Human rights and economic issues are integrated. We are very positive on human rights issue of Nepal.

What about the Bhutanese refugees issue?

So far as the issue of Bhutanese refugees is concerned, it is one of the issue which should be settled soon. I got the opportunity to visit Bhutanese refugees camp in Jhapa for a few hours. We met refugees and listened to their difficulties faced by them. Bhutanese refugees want to go back home. It is the right of Bhutanese to go back home. We are very positive about their demand. We will push this agenda.

What role can the European parliament play for the early repatriation of Bhutanese refugees?

We have very important role to play for the repatriation of Bhutanese refugees. After this visit, we realized that India's role is crucial to this problem. In coming June when we will have summit of European Union and India, the SAARC team will present its report regarding the refugees. After the visit of refugees camp, members of European parliament agreed that we need to do something. During the summit with India, we will ask them to use their good offices to settle Bhutanese refugees problem. Bhutanese refugees issue will be included in the summit between European Union and India. I will also convince other members of the European parliament to ask India to take some steps to settle the issue. I think India will take up the issue.

How do you realize the need of Indian role in solving refugee issue?

After discussion with Nepalese parliament members and Bhutanese refugees, we realized the role of India. In the past, India always escaped saying that it is a bilateral matter between Nepal and India. The past negotiations have shown that India cannot be ignored. India can play very important role to settle the issue. Democratic country like India cannot ignore humanitarian issue like Bhutanese refugees in their neighborhood. If Indians know human value is the basic of their democracy, they will have to do something to settle the problem. One of the aim of members of European parliament is to study the reality of the region before the June summit. We will discuss the issue at European parliament and will request India to do something on this matter. Besides, in Bhutanese refugees issue, India, too, is one of the partners as the refugees come to Nepal via Indian territory. Without cooperation of India, Nepal cannot send refugees back.

How can refugees be categorized?

It is up to the Nepal and Bhutan to divide the refugees in different categories. If somebody does not show adequate evidences, they have to abandon their refugee status. We think that Nepal-Bhutan and India should work together to sort out the Bhutanese refugees problem. Nepal and Bhutan were good friends in the past and they must initiate new steps to improve bilateral relationship.

How did you find the response of Bhutanese regarding this issue?

When I visited Bhutan two years ago, I found positive response there. It was the first delegation of European parliament to visit the country. Bhutan is a peace-loving country and so many different people are integrated within the Kingdom. The way of saying no to other culture is not right thing. It is not possible to eliminate other culture. Every country is composed of various cultures and traditions. All should be treated equally. European parliament will campaign in favor of Nepal in the process of repatriation of refugees.

But India has often repeated that Bhutanese refugee problem is a bilateral issue. How will your team convince India to use its good offices?

We are not members of some national delegation but we are members of SAARC committee of European parliament. We believe in SAARC dimension. If you want to be together in the SAARC, all countries of the region has to work together. Of course, every country has its own responsibility and role but one has to support other to sort out problems in broader regional perspective. We all know that India is a giant country in the SAARC region and it has the important role to play. Even in bilateral problems, one country must support other. The country of the regions have different problems but they must talk about bilateral conflicts not aggressively but peacefully. We believe in the regional integration. In the past, we in the Europe, too, had problems similar to that of South Asia. When European Union began, there were only six members and now it has 15 member states. We also had so many conflicts among different countries in Europe. All the international agreement between European Union and other countries need to be ratified by the parliament. We played important role in every issues related to the Europe.

What are your impressions about the Bhutanese refugees living in the camps?

They are desperate to go home. The camp is run by the elected people and we found that they were democratically elected. After living for such a long time in the camps without doing anything, the refugees seem to be very frustrated and physically weak. Although refugees want to work, they are not allowed to do so. There is not enough land for them. International community should continue their support. We will continue our support to refugees.

You have visited the country many times, how have you found the political process here?

I have seen many changes in the political process. Political parties are talking about corruption and good governance. When we met Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, he expressed commitment to eliminate corruption. This is a very good beginning.

Did you discuss the Maoist problems?

Yes, we also discussed about Maoist problem. It cannot be ignored simply. We believe that the settlement of this problem should be found out through dialogue and negotiations. I don't think military is the ultimate solution for terrorism. In Germany also we faced severe terrorist problems but today the terrorism does not exist in our country. I don't know how many people are behind Maoists but every terrorism activities have their end point. During the discussions with different political parties, all of them stressed on the need for political settlement. Terrorism is gradually fading away all over the world. I don't think it will last long in your country also. In a democracy, solution of every problem should be sought through discussions and negotiations.

How do you assess the political stability?

It is one of the essential component for all round development. Political stability is the prerequisite for the development. Don't change the government so frequently. Longer the life of the government, more the progress in the economic front. You have changed many governments in the past on the basis of personal grounds. In political parties, you need solidarity among different factions. Democracy is a very slow process and system of compromise. As a European, we have very long history and tradition. You cannot find the solution in short period of time. Nepali Congress now has the majority and it should rule the country as a majority party. If you don't have political stability, your government will loose credibility. Political parties should respect the spirit of democracy and follow the democratic process. When I was in Bhutan in 1997, Bhutanese government asked me with whom they could talk on the issue when you had three government in one year.

What is the memorable parts of your visit?

Discussion with King Birendra was one of the memorable parts of my visit as he was very impressive, well-informed about the problems and difficulties faced by the county. As a traditional institution, the role of monarchy is also very important in democratic process.

How do you see the future of Nepal?

Nepal has every potential to emerge as a strong and prosperous nation. The mountain and majestic peaks lure visitors. Tourism is one of the most important sectors for your economy. In coming days, you will see more tourists. If a tourist comes to visit your country, he will return again and again. Hydro power resources and human resources are also equally important for your country. European parliament will support Nepal's effort for development.