Jigmi Yoser Thinley, the prime minister of Bhutan, doesn’t feel the need for formal relations with the US if the two countries can mutually cooperate without these.
“If we can have all kinds of interactions, relations and cooperation with the US, as with Germany and France, with which we have no diplomatic relations, what is the purpose (of such relations with Washington)?” the prime minister said in an interview to IANS.
Thinley officially took charge of the foreign ministry April 9, months after the former foreign minister remained away from office for medical reasons. He said diplomatic relations were not relevant any longer in a globalised world.
“There was a time when diplomatic relations signified one’s position vis-à-vis conflicting powers, choosing sides. It’s no longer the case,” Thinley told IANS.
On April 7, US Ambassador to India Timothy J. Roemer visited Thinley’s office in capital Thimphu to discuss “ways to further strengthen the ties between our two countries”.
Thinley said he had hosted many State Department officials, Congressmen and Senators for informal talks since he became head of the government in April 2008 after the country’s first fully democratic elections.
Bhutan is often referred to as the “Last Shangri La”. Rather than inviting foreign investment, it relies on revenues from tourism, agriculture and power generation while preserving the nation’s serenity and distinctive culture.
Bhutan has a constitutional mandate to maintain at least 60 percent of the country’s land as forest at all times. It requires all buildings to conform to the traditional Tibetan architecture. It has a national dress code. To control the number of foreign visitors, it requires each tourist to pay a tariff of $200 a day. Such measures have set this predominantly Buddhist country apart from the rest of the world.
Bhutan, however, has compulsions behind its foreign policy of keeping the US at a safe distance. Being a small country of roughly 700,000 people locked between Asian giants India and China, Bhutan feels compelled to mark its borders with its distinctive cultural expressions.
The sense of susceptibility rose especially after China occupied Tibet in 1950 and Sikkim, formerly a Buddhist monarchy like Bhutan, became one of the Indian states in 1975. Bhutan shares borders with Tibet and Sikkim.
Though a member of the UN since 1971, Bhutan has let only two countries to have residential embassies, India and Bangladesh.
Formerly a protectorate of British India, Bhutan has had warm relations with India since the latter’s independence in 1947. Bangladesh is landlocked Bhutan’s gateway to the ocean. Thimphu has remained loyal to India, Bhutan’s largest development partner.
However, the prime minister denied that Tibet’s and Sikkim’s loss of independence had any bearing on Bhutan’s foreign policy.
“Whatever may have happened, in terms of the examples you raised, I make no judgments as to their justifications and so on. But Bhutan… has survived and it has been respected as a sovereign, independent country thus far.”
In a globalising world, “we have even less reasons to fear in terms of the future of our security”.
Bhutan has diplomatic relations with only those countries in the West that are seen as non-partisan as well as non-intruding – Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Finland and Austria.
Thimphu maintains relations with Muslim-majority countries as well, like Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Maldives in the region, and oil-rich Arab nations like Bahrain and Kuwait. Bhutan has ties also with Spain, Canada and Latin American countries like Brazil.
Courtesy : IANS, April 21, 2011
Look at moron and criminal Thinley here, he thanks for taking people to US and does not want to build relations.Hahahah,” there is saying: Never argue with stupids, first they will bring you to thier level and beat you by experience”
ofcourse he wants USAID or Dollars to come in, he wants garnd childrens to be educated in US mostprobally in Penn, where he graduated his master free of cost.
If the national interests of both the nation is served through mutual understanding, trust, confidence and respect, there is no reason to have formal diplomatic ties. PM said it all. He is a man of wisdom and vision, a renowned politician of our time.
This is another big joke made by JYT.YYT made such comment because he is a pupet PM and works for Indian politicians. Why should he need co_operations when he has sold the soverignity of Bhutan for Iodized SALT from India!!!!!!!!!!
JYT has no concern for his subjects he is concerned with Preaching democratic values to the affluent democracies on the globe. Democracy in Bhutan is By the king for the rulers and to the Nobles.
This is truth of the youngest democracy in the Globe where there is just on sitting opposition member in the Parliament.Any bills passed is with a overwhelming majority!!!!!!!!
Far sighted??? renowned or wetting the pant? Escaping, no??? What about chances of actual exposure??? Bhutan living Standard – any link??? Is it not the bearing capacity also? May be world will know the cage of GNH also??? So sideline of fear- chances.
Eventhen he is quite careful.
National interest is the core value of Jigme Y Thinley. For this matter any sitting prime Minister of an independent country would have said the same thing. If asked the same question to President Obama he would have said the same thing because they share the same value.
Democracy is not only about conferring rights to people but it is also teaching responsibility. If people cannot exercise their rights with responsibility, democracy is doomed to fail. Bhutan learned from from its neighbor, namely Nepal and Bangladesh
I salute Jigme Thinley’s statement.
JYT may be a farsighted visoned leader for few of the high class people in and around Thimphu valley but for middle class/low_middle class and lower class people rising of JYT as the country’s PM turned out to be a curse.
Heaven save our soul from the cruel handed leaders llike JYT.
Only KENCHO SUuM can save us the commoners from these cruel administrators. They are good to misled the world about the bhutanese refugees in nepal but are never good for the overall welfare of bhutanese people inide bhutan.
.
JTY is a hardliner another form of Fidel castro of cuba!!!!!!!!!!!
bloodsucker of common man.
Jigem Y thinly is not less than mad dog. He was the key character and tail of tyranny monarch. If bhutanese people are politically aware he would have hanged open eye of people. He expelled dedicated and laborious people from southern Bhutan. His party is remain on the wheel public blood shocker king .
No, no Birodhi, I fully disagree with you. PM Thinley is no one in himself, he is just the spokesperson of the kings Jigme Singye Wangchuk and Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk in the name of parliamentary democracy in Bhutan. And as the pseudo head of the government, he is bearing all the burdens of embarrassment wherever he goes and thats what he only deserves at the moment.
The very simple thing is that when the glorious Kulagangri and Jhomolhari mountains are missing in the northern frontiers of the country, PM Thinley advocates for non formal relationship with the countries like the United States. This clearly shows how patriotic the royal regime in Thimphu are to the nation.
PM Thinley’s this type of statement coming at a time when the US government offered USD $ 10.49 million for agricultural development as the largest developmental partner of Bhutan, is yet another clear reflection of a ‘visionary and farsighted leader’ as is claimed by Lotus Flower.
At this stage, it is difficult to predict where the youngest democracy is heading for and how the gross national happiness could be translated into reality. The country, never before in its history, has been in such a critical situation in defending its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
JYT must be tempting to have a diplomatic relations with the US. But, there are compulsion for not to choose it. Having relation with the US is privilege immunity for country like Bhutan, who could tremendously benefits out of the relation. Who don’t like to have relation with the super power the defender and the Champaign of Human Rights? In my understanding Bhutan is in trap with the previous treaties and protocols with India. Since, the foreign policy of Bhutan is at the firm grip of southern big brother who always dictates the terms and conditions for Bhutan. Bhutan’s sovereignty is always at stake because of India’s hegemony in the region.
I agree with Birodhi and Tortole regarding the plausible retraction of Diplomatic relation with US.
DEar lotus flowere,
I am very much confused with you speak about JYT and What JYT is helpless at.
you said…..
National interest is the core value of Jigme Y Thinley. For this matter any sitting prime Minister of an independent country would have said the same thing. If asked the same question to President Obama he would have said the same thing because they share the same value…..
Are you really thinking so and your prime minister as well??
If so why is the Indian Military and Para Military forces in bhutan now??
Have you ever thought that these forces are concentrated in the northern border and few pockets in the south? In the south that is their transitcamp.
But in HAA/Kanglung and many other places why? Why so die hard patriot is not able to raise these issues in Bhutan.
When a foreign force is based inthe heart of the country that u call as a developmental activity and their contributions. Is that they are concerned with road building and training??
Even as a showcase democratic prime minister y Thinley is not able to raise the issue and minimise the number/close the indian camps.This is the core value Thinley has for his country and fools like lotus flower follow them blindly.
I said JYT is a puppet earlier coz everything is indian inside bhutan and only the 17 century driglam nanza is bhutanese in nature,.
\Bhutan is ruled by india.
How much of water generated electricity is taken to india at an minimun rate?? when thousands of villages are reeling under the dark.
Indian govt took electricity at a nery cheap rate may be @NU 1/kwh. Where as some parts of sibsoo and samchi area where electricity is distributed from indian side earlier charged
@ Nu 6/7 per Kwh.
See how the poor bhutanese are looted in a broad day light and still fools consider Bhutan as a soverign country. This is just in paper practically it is otherwise.
Ask Bhutanese Students studying in south indian colleges and universities.Indians from the souuth ask “IS BHUTAN A STATE OF INDIA”:?
What could be more embrassing than this to a true bhutanese!!!!!!!!!!
@ birodhi, JYT knows very well that without India’s help Bhutan cannot be protected from blood suckers who are always on the “kaat dinchu, maar dinchu’ rampage. I think we are happy to have a friend in India & be rid of people who pretend to be Bhutanese & spread all the malice and baseless accusations against it. Nobody is looting and Bhutan is definitely headed for prosperous times, guided by wise leaders. For those of you my friends who are “circumstantial refugees” to use JYT’s apt label, make the best use of the golden geese of third-country repatriation, and let those of us who chose to be ‘true’ Bhutanese and not heed your stupid ploys and pressures be in peace. Do not repeat the same thing you did in Bhutan (as old habits die hard), or else you may find yourselves repatriated to Guantanamo or some place like that where they display their championship of human rights.
Being asked if Bhutan is a state of India only shows how good their GK is.
Dear Birodi,
How do you justify US army’s presence in Germany, South Korea and Cuba to name a few? Do you imply that these countries have lost their sovereignty to US? Next time you oppose, have some logic in it. National interest is in the heart of every patriot citizens; which is why German and Korean leaders still allow US army base in their country.
Dear Prime Minister Thinley:
I am an American citizen, and freelance journalist, currently visiting Nepal.
I am disappointed to learn that you are not willing to establish formal displomatic relations with my country.
Please forgive me to disagree with your claim that in today’s world, formal diplomatic relations are not necessary. You have Indian and Bangladeshi embassies in your country, and that alone proves that you do need formal diplomatic relations with other countries in today’s world.
I would greatly appreciate if you would please allow me to visit your beautiful country and allow me an opportunity to meet you in your office to let me present your point of view to the American people and to the American Government.
Please be assured we Americans are not against you, but we just want to put an end to the sufferings of Bhutanese refugees, living in small huts in reugee camps in Nepal for many years.
I intend to leave Nepal on May 2, 2011, but I am willing to extend my stay here if you allow me to visit you.
Thanks a lt.
Mr.Shahid M. Pasha,
Damak,Nepal
Phone Number: 980-490-8253
(I also can be reached by contacting Dr.Bhampa Rai, who lives near my hotel in Damak, and I meet him every day).
Dear Mr. Lotus Flower,
It is not the obligation for installing other nation’s military base inside other territory but it is how comfortable the nation is for long term and matter of trust and understanding. There is no doubt that India is a good neighbor and the greatest development partner ever for Bhutan. It is appreciable.
There are some places where people are raising their fingers and I too feel little genuine also. This is not for the sake of countering. To my understanding, the Indian military wing are there for two purposes – first to assist the development activities and second is to safeguard the national territory from any sort of encroachment. But recently, things are not proceeding as per understanding. Every day Bhutan is reducing and the boarder is changing. Are you people happy with such phenomena?
Second thing, had Bhutan balanced her diplomatic relation with all her neighbors, it would be resolved or timely intervene such issues. See how important is the diplomatic openings. Instead of flatly supporting the words of state heads, let’s review and support the genuine side only. And of course there is no doubt that JYT is an honorable person and also very smart. To him, he is doing his best for national interest, but that doesn’t mean that everything he is doing are right. Within the democratic norms, collectively we must contribute from our stand to resolve such disputes. Let’s not run away from the problem.
I feel proud that main mantra of GNH is to make all Bhutanese happy, share emotions together. Let’s also consider that some of our own brothers and sisters are sufferings.
wat r all dis nonsense abt …we r drukpas by orgin….and by gurus prophecy they r da real sons of bhutan….place for all philosopers…matter or virus effected r those nepaleses came into bhutan …cause distruction and ws abondanded into where they r….still they want to cause destruction …is dar fate…let live …take pleasure will be dar objective…cause its bhutan…and gods live dar…nt evils….
My friend Lotus Flower,
I am referring to the fact. I use logic but not in this case probably never when you talk of nationalism and Patriotic feelings. You need not preach Nationalism for now, but I strongly suggest you to think and take the note of the situation where the Indian government is exploiting our natural resourses to feed their hungry energy demanding industries and companies. Read between the LINES!
Every year/(five year plan period) a memorandum of understanding is signed between the government of India and Bhutan on bilateral co-operations.
As a result mega power projects came into existance or some still in the pipeline. It is imperative to export the energy generated to neighbours to increase the GDP. Exeess can always be exported and I am Strongly for it.But when villages in bhutan are still reeling under darkness and government is still planning to impose load shedding programs(refer kuensel govt thinking on load shedding) despite the huge production level,it is important to find what’s going on there aat the top level. As a sober and patrotic citizen does these things pinch you some where? I wonder how you could be so vocal when the reality is just far from what JYU advocates.You need to learn to make sensible remarks and decissions before supporting the Head of the government. Unfortunately this time it happened to be JYT-Your favorite PM.
Again mind you southern bhutanese are never against their eastern or notthern counterparts,we love all bhtanese but are strongly against the policies of the government.
Be clear I am not against JYT/JSW personally but I am totally against their policies that made over 100000 bhutanes as statelessness.
@Pazaps
Before you put commets you need to think twice.By orgin you are Tibetian Origin.You started claming Drukpas only after the government kicked out all tibetian people after the ashi Yanki and JYW altercations way back in 1970s,You need to read History not from the pages of the Book written by Hashrat Meheta (bought by the wangchuks )just to supress the truth,but you need to read history from your grand fathers who are living histories (if at all they are living now).
All Drukpas who claim themselves to be the natives of bhutan are migrants migrated from tibet.
The true bhutanese by origin are the Sharchhops to be honest and precise.
Never ever try to underestimate the sharchhops.You will find the truth when you actually turn down the pages of history and not blindly supporting JYT or the regime.
Kencho Sum
naa chera druk gyel khap gi history laysum bay ra ha go go maray tosha!
Prime Minister Thinley should really take into account the advice given by freelance journalist Shahid M. Pasha. Given that he is in contact with Dr. Bhampa Rai everyday, this can mean serious trouble for Bhutan, especially for PM Thinley. It might be in the best interest of Bhutan to heed Mr. Pasha’s advice, since he is an American citizen. Of course, American diplomats have visited Bhutan and Nepal before, but no one in the stature of Mr. Pasha, an “American citizen, and a freelance journalist” have taken the Bhutanese refugee issue this personally.
One should never play with the sentiments of an American citizen, especially one who is also a freelance journalist.
My dear birodi,
you haven’t answered my question about justifying US army’s presence in Germany and Korea! You have vaguely stated how Bhutan is been exploited by India. But you failed to understand that nothing comes for free. Financial transactions do not happen without documentation; you borrow money and you sign that you will pay back. if your credit is bad, you have to produce collateral to obtain credit.
When recession happened in the USA they borrowed money from China. Now, do you think think the Chinese government is stupid enough to lend without proper documentation that the USA government will pay them back? Your convoluted idea to suggest others to look at Bhutan from your type of mind set, is in fact fooling yourself.
Bhotangey Jee:
No, I did not mean to prove myself being superior and better than those who are not American citizens. I just tried to make a point. I am not stupid enough to expect a call from Prime Minister Thinley inviting me to his office for an interview after reading my comments posted on Bhutan News Service.
If I realy need to approach him, I will use proper channels, not this website to request him for an opportunity for an interview.
However, I would love to meet you here in Nepal (If you actually are living in Nepal).
Mr. Shahid M. Pasha,
Currently living in Damak, Nepal.
(Originally from Massachusetts, USA)
Sorry, Mr. Pasha. but I do not believe you – I am sure you are some very important person even though you try to be very humble in your comments here. You should be important, for you are able to leave everything in Massachussetts and live in Damak. There must be a very imoprtant purpose behind all this, and only people of important stature can make such commitments and sacrifice.
The Bhutanese refugees should consider themselves very fortunate to have such a person like you visiting them. And I still insist that JYT should be very careful about how he deals with you. It is not as easy as throwing out Bhutanese from Bhutan. He should really invite you to his office for a visit and get it over with before it becomes more complicated for him. You should actually be frank with him and let him know what terrible fate might wait for him if he does not agree to your wishes. However, he may be feeling a little reassured as you already said above that Americans are not against him. That must have been a relief, to have someone like you to speak to him on behalf of all Americans.
I think your idea to “use proper channels” to “request him for an opportunity for an interview” is a good idea. Even low-level journalists like Barbara Crossette are said to have been granted an interview by the Bhutanese government and King when approached through proper channels. When you, an American freelance journalist, that too living in Damak Nepal, makes requests through proper channels, great things will come out of it. Thank you for all you do for the Bhutanese refugees.
Bhotangey
Currently living near Massachussetts, USA
(Originally from Damak, Nepal)
Its Big SURPRISE why LOTUS FLOWER is mute on
Execution of Chhabda at Changlimithang????
Dear Bhotangeyjee,
I fully agree with Pasha that he can not break the ice at this point of time.You know the Senators from US also once tried to negotiate with the RGB but the regime didn’t response about their request and I know Mr.Pasha is a humble freelance and he is our die hard supporter and our well-wisher. I am happy that he is in touch with Dr.Rai and other Damak based Bhutanese leaders.
I also understood that the first step is base which will ultimately conquered the world.
@ lotus flower I think I am not the right person to answer your queries on the Us army and germany,Korea.
I flatly say this is not my concern. My concern is Bhutan and its soverignity.
I just wanted to know how a patriotic bhutanese citizen like lotus flower can remain silent when a huge encorchment is in place in the northern border.
Now chomololahari and kula kangari seems to be no pride for bhutan and bhutanese coz these places is no more in bhutanese soil as per the latest revised map of bhutan.
Have you ever noticed this changes in the map of Bhutan?
Next when there is a understanding there has to be mutual benifit for both countries.China is the biggest trading partner of United States.
India is the greatest donor for Bhutan,and this does not meanthat bhutan should surrunder its soveriginity to India. Befor India takes power from bhutan it is necessary for both india and bhutan to ensure every house in bhutan has electricity. Thiis is true co_0peration and mutual understanding.
Now what is happening inside Bhutan is rampant explitation of her resources where most of the citizens are deprived of these benifits.
My lotus flower I find you to be more vocal than practical.Please dont compare us,korea,germany,…and Bhutan.Bhutan has different demographic needs and its dependence on others for most of her developmental work./
I will salute you lotus flower if you realize or just try to realize what is going on inside bhutan in reality and what is preached outside.See the rampant exploitation and human rights abuses by the govermnent to the bhutanese people.I am not referring only the lhoshampas, think all dorjis and kesangs in the remote parts of west,north and eastern Bhutan.If you are simply grown up along the streets of thimphu,Phuntsholin or paro then you you have never seen rural bhutan and the problems there in But if you belong to the lower class Bhutanese from villages then you must have felt the dearth of all whats going on.
Tashi Delak
Mr. Shaid Pasha should come back to Airport and start doing his daily chores. He is not a journalist or any advocate, he is just a manual labour. Bhutanese community should watch him carefully!
Bhutangey
DB Adhikari
And
Eric Jee:
Thanks for your comments. I never claimed to be a journalist. However, I consider myself as “Freelance Journalist’, because I am not a professional journalist, but I do write articles for newspapers once a while as hobby.
I am about to leave Nepal in next few hours. My visit to Nepal has ended. Some people just cannot trust anyone and I understand their hesitation. I just wanted to visit Nepal as I have traveled many countries in the world. I am not a politician, nor a journalist. I have taken Journalism courses, but I still would not want to become a professional journalist.
I am so glad I was able to meet Tek Nath Rizal Jee, Dr. Bhampa Rai Jee and a great Bhutanese journalist, Vidhyapati Mishra Jee. These three great personalities are highly praised by a vast majority of Bhutanese and also criticized by handful of Bhutanese.
I love those who appreciate and admire me, and honestly, I do not hate those who criticize me. As a matter of fact, constructive criticism helps me a lot.
At present, I do not have any intention to visit Bhutan. However, I would love to visit Bhutan in future and it would not be appropriate for me to give impression that I am against Bhutan Government.
God Bless Current and Former Bhutanese Refugees.
Mr. Shahid M. Pasha
We are missing the point. Mr Pasha, as is so evident, is used to meeting and getting information from people who are leaders intheir own community, like TN Rizal and Bhampa Rai. Some of us might be wrongly thinking that he is just dropping names, but he is not! For an American freelance journalist, it is extremely difficult to meet people like Rizal. You might think that Bhutanese leaders are so enamored of contact with westerners and Americans and that they may take the first opportunity to meet with westerners in the hope of getting support (mostly financial), but you are mistaken. Bhutanese refugee leaders like Rizal are not very accessible to foreigners. Bhutanese refugees themselves may easily meet them and have cordial conversations with them though.
If Mr. Pasha was to visit Bhutan like any other tourist, then the whole point of the visit would be lost. He should get a proper invitation, have meetings scheduled with PM Thinley and hopefully with His majesty the King, so that he can ask the right questions and get the most accurate information from people who have the right information.
We are all glad that Mr. Pasha’s fruitful visit has ended. We should all wait and see what good things will come out of it for the Bhutanese refugees. Mr. Pasha seems to be enagged at a high level in the US inrelation tothe resettlement of Bhutanese refugees. Idosincerely hope that he observed the operations of the IOM in August and will report to the US govt on his return.
Now, all we can do is eagerly wait for Mr. Pasha’s visit to Bhutan. We do hope that it gets publicized so we can and be happy at the thought that somneone who can make adifference is heading to Thimphu.
Dear DB Adhikari
Bothangey
And
Haha
I left Kathmandu airport yesterday and arrived Pakistan, my native country. It makes me smile every time I think of my visit of Nepal. It was so intersting and I loved and enjoyed every minute I spent there.
I am an ordinary hard-working person, and my job at the airport in USA, does not pay me big dollars, and it is no easy for me to leave my job for so long , and to afford visits to many countries around the world. Honestly, I hardly can afford $250 a day to visit Bhutan at present.
I am thankful to haha jee for inviting me to Bhutan. I, surely will visit beautiful country, Bhutan, in near future. I must contact Bhutanese citizens to get their point of view, because I do not believe in one-sided story.
Bhotangey Jee: I must admire you for being smart and intelligent, but I suggest you express your opposing views in a polite manner, without being so sarcastic. You do not have to make fun of others just to make your point.
I almost decided to stop visiting Bhutan News Service because some commentators criticize just to criticize and just to insult others, and ofcourse, nobody wants to be humiliated or personally attacked. However, good people like DB Adhikari Jee and haha jee also are here to defend me, and that is why I have decided to continue visiting Bhutan News Service.
Mr. Vidhyapati Mishra Jee is the Managing Editor of Bhutan News Service, and he has done so many nice things to me during my visit, that I just find impossible boycotting his web site. After meeting him in Kathmandu, Nepal, I came to know that he is a real HERO. He is the one, all of the Bhutanese refugees can trust.
I offer my apology to all of those, who ever felt I have offended them in any way.
Mr. Shahid M. Pasha
(Visiting my native country, Pakistan).
Pashaji – I am glad (and surprised) that you got my point. It is about time that you got off your high horse because your high-flying hoopla was getting a little too annoying – not only on this topic but for quite some time now as you have presented yourself as an authority on everything Bhutanese.
Until now, you were giving off the impression to everyone here that you were a free lance journalist (some of us know what that means because we have worked with freelance reporters before). Now, after some slack here, you have downgraded your status to a hard working dude who works in an airport. Nothing wrong with that, but something is definitely wrong with your earlier misrepresentation of yourself.
Humility does not come from writing notes to Prime Ministers. Humility does not come from your name droppings. Humility is not reflected in your patronizing condescension towards those who provide you with hospitality (Vidya, for example) and certainly from your treatment of the Bhutanese as an interesting species.
So yes,keep this site (where most Bhutanese come to get news about their community) free of your personal escapades to ‘understand both sides of the story’ and stop patronizing the Bhutanese whom you seem to find quite quaint and interesting simpletons. Just know that by now, we have been conditioned smell frauds (even harmless ones) miles away. And we try to tell it to them. We did that to you for a long long time, repeatedly, but you never did get it. Hopefully, you will, now.
Apologies accepted.
Mr. Shahid,
The way you write clearly reflects and is adequate for me to question as to whether you are a ‘freelance journalist’. If still you are confused defining yourself, below is a link:http://www.badlanguage.net/how-to-be-a-freelance-journalist
Reference to the 1990 uprising in the South Bhutan what Bhutan and the Government of Bhutan must understand some simple facts as:
1. Bhutan first of all must respect and recognise the universality of the citizenship laws prevailing all over the world and should stop its own fabric unique laws of its land. There should be no reason to distrust the majority of the south Bhutanese on any national issues of Sovereignty and integrity of the tiny Himalayan nation. South Bhutanese in worse case will loose everything but will stand against any external threats that will cause damage to the land of Bhutan. We living away from Bhutan for more than 20 years sincerely express our worries when we see the area of Bhutan reducing from 46,500 sq.km to some 38000 sq. kms similar to the ratio of the Bhutanese evicted by the Jigme regime. Common people inside Bhutan do not know this as the rulers are only trumpeting false issues of ‘antinational activities’ in the south.
2. No country can rely only on one govt or a country or just a few like Bhutan is openly doing. This is an age of 3rd millennium where scientific advancement has amazing developments and is beyond control of most of the poor countries. Yes, Bhutan govt is right on one thing for sure- the national unity. Without national unity the existence of small countries is not possible. But that does not mean by abolition of any communities and or forced assimilation of any to another.
3. The rulers of modern Bhutan have a maximum task and responsibilities much more than many big nations. Their first responsibility is to safeguard their territorial lines. For this their age old protector alone is not capable to keep its borders safeguarded as it has dispute in west and norh areas. Bhutan should follow a better and a more reliable foreign policy than just remain in clutch of its existing one.
4. For Bhutan, priority should be in establishment of a new equation in dilomatic realtions and its territorial security. The rulers must go beyond the existing arrangement and look for any amicable new relations towards that interest. To this end it must immediately identify and recognise the true Bhutanese. Nation is more valuable than any individual. Empty and false old patritism is not enough to survive in the 21st century. They can remain limited to cultural values of the people but not supreme in the national identity.
So prime minister JYT saying that Bhutan does not need any formal diplomatic relations with US is not relevant to the national interest of Bhutan. This saying may have a deep bearing vis-a-vis the sensitive strategic issues of the giant states of India and China. But is he sure that their sovereignty will be permanently protected by the present arrangement?
Dear Mr. Imran Khan:
Let us put this way. I just write comments or articles whenever I feel like to. Now, if you think I was wrong by claiming to be freelance journalist”, please accept my sincere apology. At least, you criticized me in constructive and respectful manner, unlike some of those commentators who feel they do not have to be polite, respectful or nice to others who express their opinion on this website. Thanks for being respectful to me.
Here is the problem: Many other commentators use fake names and hide their places of residence. They never use their real names and they never declare what city or town or state or country they live in. And that gives them a great benefit of hiding behind their fake names or identities. Other people do not know anything about their personal life. Unfortunately, in my case, everybody can learn easily all about my personal life, and some commentators who do not believe in other peoples privacy rights and self-respect, can throw mud at me as much as they want to. They can easily reveal any aspect of my personal life here on this website, like, “Oh, he teaches people how to drive”, or, “Oh, he works at the airport”, knowing that what I do in my personal life or what kind of job I hold, is nobody’s business, and it is a violation of other peoples privacy rights. Bhutan News Service should not post that kind of personal stuff, but I think they just cannot check each and every word, and simply post all of the material sent to Bhutan News Service, because obviously, they are short of help, and editors work there on volunteer base.
So, how can I protect myself against some discourteous, rude and ignorant commentators? May be the best way to protect my privacy is that I also should follow their example and stop using my real name and must hide my place of residence. Another option is that I should continue visiting this great website for information, but must stop reading comments, and must stop dignifying some of those rude and ignorant commentators by responding to their silly and unwise comments. I think the best way to deal with an ignorant is, just ignore him/her completely.
I will continue visiting this great website, and also will continue reading comments, once in a while, because a vast majority of commentators here, is those who have some decency and apparently, their parents and families have taught them how to respect others.
I again, offer my apology to those who ever felt that I have hurt their feelings by posting something that I should not have done.
By the way, I have returned to the United States, after visiting Nepal and Pakistan for almost a month.
Now, I like Bhutanese refugees more than ever.
God bless all of the current and former Bhutanese refugees living in Nepal or in any other country in the world.
Mr. Shahid M. Pasha, Massachusetts, USA.