King’s UN visit was cancelled to oppose US boycott: Dr Giri
Cabinet vice-chairman Dr Tulsi Giri has revealed that US President George Bush didn’t invite Nepali delegates at a reception he hosted in the honour of international dignitaries on the occasion of the opening of the 60th General Assembly of the United Nations in New York. This led to the cancellation of His Majesty King Gyanendra's visit to the UN.
In an interview to Samay vernacular weekly magazine, Giri claimed that the King's visit to the UN, which was already scheduled, was cancelled in order to show objection to the decision of the US President not to invite Nepali delegates at his reception.
“By cancelling His Majesty’s visit we have expressed our dissatisfaction towards the American attitude. Obviously, as the UN headquarters is based there, the US President hosts welcome programme in the honour of the visiting dignitaries," he said. "Inviting only selected people for the reception and leaving others was something unexpected,” Dr Giri said, insisting that the cancellation of the King’s visit didn’t imply that the present administration had become unable to defend the Feb 1 royal move in the international arena.
Including Nepal, altogether 11 countries dubbed as 'undemocratic' were denied invitation at the Bush reception.
The vice-chairmen further clarified, “I don’t know what others did but we expressed our objection to it [Bush’s decision]. This was not only against the diplomatic protocol it was also an arrogant display of power. This attitude of America was also against the norms upheld by the UN.”
Giri, the ‘second man’ of the royal cabinet, also made it a point to vent ire against the political parties for suggesting the international community to boycott the King at the UN assembly. “What kind of political atmosphere do these parties want to establish in this country?” questioned he.
Amidst pressure from the opposition parties and the civil society organisations, the King had cancelled his trip on September 5. The royal administrations decision also coincided with the declaration of three-month unilateral ceasefire by the Maoists on September 3. nepalnews.com mk/ag Sept 25 05
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