By Tenzin Choephel
Phayul Correspondent
Kathmandu, 19 August – Mr. Tim Rieser, a member of the Appropriations Committee in the Senate of the United States visited the Tibetan Reception Center today to see new developments and meet with newly arrived Tibetan refugees at the Center. The US Government along with UNHCR is one of the major donors providing financial assistance to the Center in improving their facilities.
Mr. Rieser visited the Center back in 2004 when the Center had shortage of accommodation facility, the US Government then provided financial assistance to build a separate girls dormitory building that was completed in December 2006.
He said that, “we have worked together with UNCHR and others to improve the facility here, so that when they (Tibetan refugees) come, they have a place to sleep rather than just on the floor, there is enough food and I also wanted to have the chance to hear from the people who are managing this facility about any problem they might have”.
He said that he has been meeting with members of the Nepalese Government about different issues but he did not discuss the issue of Tibetan Resettlement to the United States. He said he knew that his Government is considering (the resettlement) but did not specify any new development yet.
He also talked to some newly arrived Tibetan refugees about the reasons for their fleeing Tibet and their journey to Nepal. The Center has currently only about 40 people as it is the low season and there are fewer people arriving from Tibet besides there has been news that the Chinese authorities have beefed up security along Nepal-Tibet border by increasing number of local vigilantes, a local resident of Dram/Zhangmu confirmed.
