Nepal seeking clear answer from Bhutan gov't on refugees' problem: Deputy PM

Nepali Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs K P Sharma Oli has said that taking back Bhutanese refugees by Bhutan Government is the solution to the refugee problem, according to a leading newspaper The Himalayan Times on Sunday.

Oli was speaking in an interaction program on the theme of "What would be the future of Bhutanese refugees?" organized by Center for Alternative Media Nepal here on Saturday, the daily reported.

Informing about his planned visit to Bhutan on November 21-22 to solve the problem, Oli said he will seek clear answer from Bhutanese Prime Minister on taking back refugees.

Stating that refugees have been staying in various camps in Nepal for last 16 years, he said Nepali government desires to see the problem solved at the possible earliest.

Oli said he will consult with leaders of political parties, intellectuals and human rights activists before leaving to Bhutan and stressed the need of helping hands to solve the problem and guarantee the fundamental rights of refugees.

"If Bhutanese government disagrees to take back refugees other option must be sought," he said.

"There has been proposal to resettle 60,000 refugees in The United States of America and other countries have also shown the similar interests," he added.

He said Nepal, however, has a clear stance that they should be resettled in groups and not in parts by selecting among them.

Some 105,000 Bhutanese refugees have been living in seven camps in eastern Nepal for the last 16 years.

As many as 15 rounds of bilateral talks between the two governments have failed to yield any results so far.

Source: Xinhua