E-Paper
Nepal awaits Cablegate release
There are no red faces yet. But like many other nations across the globe, Nepal too is waiting with anticipation for release of the US embassy cables relating to the Himalayan nation.
There are no red faces yet. But like many other nations across the globe, Nepal too is waiting with anticipation for release of the US embassy cables relating to the Himalayan nation.
Of the 251,287 cables to be released in phases by the whistleblower site Wikileaks under the term ‘Cablegate’—2,600 pertain to Nepal.
Though publishing of the confidential documents which began on Sunday is not expected to alter Nepal-US relations, there’s considerable eagerness to know the exact contents.
Of the total cables 2278 are those sent by the US embassy in Kathmandu that have been clubbed as confidential (1399), classified (795) and secret (84).
Majority of the cables sent between 2005 and early 2010 are believed to deal with Maoist insurgency, Nepal’s relations with India and China, overthrowing of the monarchy, human rights and about Bhutanese and Tibetan refugees.
“The release of the cables will show how US, an old friend of Nepal who has been supporting democracy and helping us with financial aid actually thinks of us,” said a senior Nepali journalist.
The US embassy in Kathmandu on Tuesday issued a statement by Ambassador Scott H DeLisi condemning the release of confidential documents and also questioned their authenticity.
“We will continue to work to strengthen our partnership with Nepal and make progress on the issues that are important for our two countries,” he said.