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The Advocacy Project seeks to help community-based advocates produce, disseminate and use information, and so become more effective advocates for human rights and social justice

Bulletin #26: China Rejects Nepal's Plea for Military Aid

China rejects Nepal aid plea
Hindustan Times

March 21: Contrary to the Nepalese monarch’s expectations, China has rebuffed requests for Beijing to step in to fill the arms supply deficit faced by the Royal Nepal Army in its war against the Maoists. According to diplomatic sources, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has refuse to visit Kathmandu during his forthcoming visit to South Asia in April, despite Nepalese request.

Such visit would have lent a some acceptability to the royal coup and made in India’s position more difficult. Faced with a monarch who refuses to even meet the Indian envoy in Kathmandu, Shiv Shankar Mukherje, or listen to “fraternal” Indian advice, New Delhi’s options have been limited to steadfastly adhering to the pro-democracy line.

Official sources also indicated that there has been no rethink on the part of the Indian government on suspending military aid to Nepal until the emergency is revoked and multi-party democracy restored.

Nepal’s note to missions over meetings with political leaders
Press Trust of India

Kathmandu, March 21: Apparently upset over foreign diplomats meetings pro-democracy leaders, the Royal government in Nepal has sent a note to foreign missions, including India, asking them to abide by the provisions of the Vienna convention.

The government has sent a note-verbale to the foreign diplomatic missions in Kathmandu asking them to discharge their duty in accordance with the provisions of the Vienna Convention, a high-level Foreign Ministry official said here today.

“We will cooperate with them if they inform the government before meeting any political party leader,” he said.

The government’s reaction came after a few diplomatic heads including American Ambassador to Nepal James Moriarty tried to meet former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba while he was under house arrest.

Vice-chairman of the Council of Minister Tulasi Giri recently expressed displeasure over the activities of the foreign diplomats, saying even he was not invited by some diplomatic chiefs, who host dinner parties for the leaders of political parties.

Following the February 1 Royal takeover, international communities have significantly cut down aid to Nepal asking it to restore multiparty democracy, return fundamental rights of the people and free all political detainees.

Nepal government has sharply reacted to the international community’s decision to cut aid. “Nepalese people would not die if foreign donors stopped assistance”, said Vice Chairman of the Cabinet Kirtinidhi Bista said yesterday.

INSN is the International Nepal Solidarity Network, which has activists in over a dozen countries around the world who are working to bring democracy to Nepal. Visit their website for regular updates related to the Nepal crisis.