Koirala says winds of change to sweep Bhutan one day

Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala has said that change will arrive in neighboring Himalayan country of Bhutan also, as in many countries of the world afflicted with the problem of despotism, and urged India to play a definite role to realize this.

"There is movement for change all over the world and I believe that one day despotism will end and democracy will be established in Bhutan also," he said speaking at a launch of a book titled "From Palace to Prison" written by eminent Bhutanese refugee leader Tek Nath Rijal in a ceremony in the capital city Thursday.

The former prime minister said that India should also use its good offices for the respectful return of Bhutanese refugees languishing in Nepal since the past one and half decade to their country.

He revealed that although he had raised the refugee problem many times during his meeting with the Bhutanese Monarch, it was unfortunate that nothing significant was done to resolve the issue.

"I have a very emotional attachment with Bhutan and will keep on fighting for the rights of the Bhutanese refugees," he pledged.

Similarly, speaking at the same program, senior CPN-UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal said there has been delay in resolving the Bhutanese refugee problem due to lack of national and international pressure. nepalnews.com Apr 16 09