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daviko
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BARONESS SYMONS
We met with Baroness Symons (Minister) in her private office within the House of Lords and we were treated extremely well, both with courtesy and respect from the Minister and her staff.
Gill and I were escorted to the meeting by Robert Jackson MP and Ed Vaizey (prospective Conservative candidate for Wantage). Ed has been very supportive and he helped us prepare for this long awaited meeting. We had already prepared a case file for the Minister which she had received prior to our meeting; the Minister had taken the time to read this document so she was fully briefed before our arrival.
Because we only had 50 minutes with the Minister we decided to concentrate on four major issues and these were;
1. To ensure that the British Embassy in Nepal has a proper protocol to deal with missing persons.
2. To set up within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office a missing persons organisation which could deal directly with families who have missing relatives abroad.
3. To ensure that all Embassies have a missing persons fund so that there is no delay in starting a search.
4. That the Minister ensures that to her satisfaction that all lines of enquiry both in Nepal and the UK are followed up in the search for Gareth.
The Minister agreed on all the above points, she made comment that these were extremely good ideas and that she would ensure that her staff would immediately pursue these issues.
Both Gill and I thought that the meeting was very productive and only time will tell if the Minister can deliver what she has promised.
David.
Gill and I with Ed Vaizey outside the House of Lords.
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22/2/05, 18:13
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tan
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Re: BARONESS SYMONS
I think you raised excellent points and I hope some good will come out of this.
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22/2/05, 19:21
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mieke
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Re: BARONESS SYMONS
Thanks very much for telling, David. It's a positive account of events.
And I think the four points that were emphasised, are downright touching.
Very curious now, of course, how long it will take to implement these points in the consular 'world'. But more importantly for Gill and you: how long it will take before some real information regarding Gareth will emerge from inside Nepal. In that respect the recent take over by its King may even prove to be an advantage, because new attempts are made to fight corruption there.
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23/2/05, 1:20
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tan
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Re: BARONESS SYMONS
David please pardon my cynicism, but are you able to clarify what "immediately pursue these issues" means? Did the Minister promise her staff would implement your proposals immediately or just investigate the feasibility of them? Your final word of caution, "only time will tell if the Minister can deliver what she has promised", leaves me with a sense of uncertainty upon reading your entry here again.
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23/2/05, 13:33
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daviko
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Re: BARONESS SYMONS
In respect of my use of the phrase "immediately pursue these issues" perhaps I should have said "implement these issues as soon as possible". It is very difficult to give an implementation time as the Minister would/could not give a time scale.
We will expect an update from the Minister very shortly, so when I know I will post here.
David.
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23/2/05, 18:11
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mieke
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The British Ambassador (re: BARONESS SYMONS)
Perhaps not quite the right forum-topic meanwhile to post below news, but it ought to be mentioned on this messageboard.
There is an understandable and realistic but painful side to the story about Gareth and the Kathmandu Embassy, which is that in the meantime life goes on.
But in view of your recent e-mail, David, about the situation with the Baroness and the follow-up by the FCO on what was discussed and agreed on February 21, I dó believe one can wonder and worry about the apparent interests the British ambassador takes in supporting the domestic, commercial economy of the country he is based in. Or to tear facts apart and put it cynically on purpose: the Nepal Tourism Board and tourism to Nepal in general should be congratulated to have such high ranking and loyal foreign diplomats among their supporters and friends.
In my opinion it's fine if people help to promote travel to Nepal, because the country is going through extremely hard times indeed and foreign tourists are nót particularly targetted where the insurgency or civil war is concerned. However, I think it's downright disgusting to read about below described and apparently organised ["staged"] event, if you are aware that at the same time in the cases of both Gareth and Alex (Ratnasothy) in fact it seems that investigations into their disappearance are no longer taking place.
And although a cheap thing for me to do, I'd like to remind the French ambassador that there's a French national still missing too in Nepal: Franck Veismann, who disappeared after arriving at Lukla in March 2000.
So what your government is in fact tolerating is that people are encouraged to spend their money on a holiday in Nepal. But what they don't know and what they don't tell them is that should they go missing there due to whatever cause, it's highly unlikely that both their Embassy-staff as well as the FCO will show the least of proper efforts to try and find them back.
I didn't know diplomacy was about cheating your own nationals.
(If the Runboard-host can't live with this criticism, I'm of course prepared to edit this reply).
Copying the entire article here for the time being. Please let me know if you object if I mail the editor of The Rising Nepal, in order to ask their permission (in view of copyrights) to keep that whole text on this, special messageboard, because I know Gill and you certainly haven't finished your struggles with your government yet.
http://www.gorkhapatra.org.np/pageloader.php?file=2005/05/17/topstories/main12
The Rising Nepal, May 17 2005: "Nepal’s tourism destinations unique, perfectly safe: Diplomats"
By A Staff Reporter
KATHMANDU, May 16: The British and French ambassadors to Nepal shared a forum Monday to tell the A world that the Himalayan Kingdom was perfectly safe for travel and invited one and all to enjoy her beauty.
“There is absolutely no security problem to travel and trek in Nepal, even in the distant villages,” the diplomat-duo said recounting their separate trekking experiences to Manang and Solukhumbu. “We recommend Nepalese and foreigners alike to travel to various destinations and enjoy the beauty of pristine nature and unique culture.”
“I found Manang to be one of the safest tourist destinations in the country,” British Ambassador to Nepal Keith Bloomfield told a press meet organised by Nepal Tourism Board this afternoon. He said that he had gone on a 10-day trek to far-flung Phu and Nar villages of Manang district By with his spouse and friends last month. “The tourists don’t need to fear from Maoist insurgents.”
He, however, disclosed that there were very few tourists in the area. “I met only two trekkers during those 10 days. It may be because the villages are fairly remote and one has to brave a steep trek to reach there.”
He said that the villages possessed picturesque beauty with the combination of desert landscape and snow-capped mountains. “They are safe and beautiful and are waiting to be discovered; I recommend the Nepalese and the foreigners to experience the spectacular beauty on their own.”
He stressed on publicity to promote the Trans-Himalayan region of Manang and Mustang. French Ambassador Michael Jolivet agreed with Bloomfield saying that he found Khumbu region equally safe and beautiful. “I was alone with my guide but I didn’t face any problem; I found the place perfectly safe.”
He said that he had for years wanted to go to Khumbu region adding he found the place uniquely beautiful. “I really enjoyed the beauty of the snow-capped Himalayas. It may be the best panorama I have ever seen in my life,” the French envoy said. “Going beyond that, I liked the mixture of nature and Sherpa culture and lifestyle. Art and architecture adds to the beauty of nature.”
He said, unlike the British envoy in Manang, he encountered numerous tourists form all around the world. “Nobody has had any problem,” he added. “With the guidance of the Nepalese travel agents, the tourists will be totally safe.”
Earlier, Tek Bahadur Dangi, Executive Director of NTB, said that the tourism activities were running smoothly in major destinations of the country and claimed that safety was not a problem to travel around the country.
= = =
I don't know, but perhaps Tony Blair and the Baroness should urgently look into both the salaries as well as the job description of British ambassadors abroad.
This is about the very same country (Nepal) that some other influential governments in fact keep telling you to stay away from. Not suggesting that that would be the only right thing to do. But you and Gill, and Gareth and all the other foreign tourists who have disappeared without a trace in Nepal in recent years, and their relatives, imo deserve better.
No authorities in Nepal, including police, move as much as a finger if a foreign tourist goes missing. It might be time to offer Mr. Bloomfield a job as a salesman, some place where he can do less harm.
mieke
Last edited by mieke, 17/5/05, 9:53
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17/5/05, 9:49
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daviko
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Keith Bloomfield
British Ambassador Keith Bloomfield
Thanks for the post mieke and yes I think that this is the right forum to mention the 'so called' trek to see the wonders of Nepal.
However it seems that Mr Bloomfield thought differently during an interview with the Nepali Times in March 2005. Here is an extract from that interview.
quote:
Are you satisfied with the moves here to fulfill human rights commitments ahead of the Geneva conference this month?
The king said in his proclamation the government is keen to respect human rights yet at the same time there has been intimidation of human rights activists many of them not allowed to leave the Valley.
There is no effective monitoring allowed, access to detainees is restricted, UN observers who’ve come here have found a record number of disappearances, there are question marks about the future of an independent human rights commission, these are all issues that will be raised in Geneva.
But I don’t want you to get the impression we are not just as worried about Maoist violations, they have been behaving pretty appallingly themselves, extorting money, recruiting child soldiers and so on. We believe the democratic space, and I include in that the civil liberties and respect of human rights, has to be an essential part of the solution to the conflict.
Democracy goes much much wider than the political party leaders but you don’t encourage the emergence of a mature democracy by locking up party leaders. Civil liberties and human rights go hand-in-hand with democracy and so do grassroots organisations and participation.
Press freedom is essential as apart of the democratic space. Full press freedom should be restored, not just taking out the security forces from the offices but withdrawing some of the instructions that have gone out shortly after the king’s takeover. All these elements are a part of a future prosperous and peace-loving Nepal and that’s why we are so put out by the political developments in this country.
To read the full interview see Article
Perhaps Mr Bloomfield would like to expalin how Gareth & Alex went missing in the 'tourists are perfectly safe here' country of Nepal.
I shall be writing to Mr Bloomfield to see if he will be kind enough to answer the above question.
David
Last edited by daviko, 23/5/05, 17:50
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17/5/05, 18:51
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mieke
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Opinions (re: BARONESS SYMONS)
Yes, I agree it's rather confusing if one starts to compare the opinions of top diplomats such as Bloomfield, the way they gave them on separate occasions. In the March-article in the Nepali Times, he's not so much telling about tourism and safety for foreign tourists but describing a more political view about some effects of the February 1 royal 'takeover'. In my opinion, and surprisingly, he's just "howling with the wolves" there: those foreigner-wolves who don't seem to have the slightest idea of the reality of life for millions and millions of Nepalis - especially the ones living in the rural areas controlled by the Maoists, and the large number of Nepalis who have sought refuge outside their country meanwhile.
Only a short while later, his US colleague James Moriarty thought of it this way: "Maoists are not interested in talks: US envoy" (source is Newz.in, published 8th of April 2005).
Frankly, the "real" <--> "opinion" (see 11th paragraph) of your ambassador leaves me wondering... Unless in the latter example Onesto was lying.
Let's not forget that half of the world's governments including yours, heavily criticised Nepal's King for his February 1 move. But Bloomfield's criticism re. the King's decision to announce the State of Emergency and the emphasis the ambassador puts on its consequences for 'civil liberties' and 'human rights' become even more interesting if you take into account that from 1999 to 2002 he was working for the FCO as Head of the Counter Terrorism Policy Department (source: nbcci.org newsletter, May 2002). This was immediately before he was appointed Her Majesty's Ambassador to the Kingdom of Nepal.
But instead of discussing Nepal-politics and the 'big boys network', let's stick to the subject of safety for foreign tourists. An aspect of safety imo is whether or not you can rely on all parties concerned to do what it takes if things go wrong with a foreign tourist, in order to make a tourist destination more safe. That does not seem to be the case here (Gareth, Alex), on the contrary. Yet the British ambassador is known for giving the following opinion too:
The UK Ambassador says
"The fact remains that not a single foreigner has been kidnapped or killed as a result of the eight-year-old insurgency. During that time, the country has received more than three million visitors. The risk of being a victim of Maoist violence is clearly much lower than the risks of going trekking, mountaineering, rafting, or simply going in a bus," said Keith Bloomfield, 57, the British Ambassador to Nepal. "The threat is fairly small."
Though re. the second part of this quote he seems to be right, let's look at the first part:
a] The most famous kidnap, by Maoists, is the one of British Lt Col Adrian Griffith, in October 2003 (see Nepal News). Admitted, although definitely a foreigner he wasn't there as a tourist. But a June 9, 2004 US travel warning update says a.o. "Maoists reportedly have detained several American and other foreign trekkers, in one case for several days." (one of the many sources: Stening Simpson Alerts, Australia)
Edit June 16: some common risks of going trekking,
mountaineering, rafting, or simply going in a bus.
http://com4.runboard.com/bgarethkochlostinnepal.fmainchat.t1
US national ambushed, attacked and robbed near Dragnag (May 2004)
http://209.157.64.200/focus/f-news/1040984/posts
Two Korean trekkers who refused to pay beaten so badly they were hospitalised (December 2003)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/essex/3253762.stm
Search for missing Nepal backpacker (Monday, 1 December 2003)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3264357.stm
Nepal gunmen rob Western trekkers (Wednesday, 12 November 2003)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2369363.stm
British climber tells of Nepal ordeal (Tuesday, 29 October 2002)
http://origin.dailynews.lk/2002/10/03/wor06.html
German attacked by Maoists; taken to hospital (3 October 2002)
http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache:YE0t1KKSXpgJ:www.hthtravelinsurance.com/health_sec_news/article_template.cfm%3Fp_fn%3Dne_news_16079.html+Spanish-trekker&hl=en
Spanish tourist brutally assaulted, and hacked with kukuri knives (2002)
b] Is the ambassador entitled to say what he said, while at the same time at least 6 foreign trekkers went missing in recent years? Can anyone tell for sure that none of them became a victim, in any way, as a result of the insurgency? In two cases his own embassy was involved, and we know how it dealt with searchefforts. Arrogant as it may sound, coming from me, I don't believe the Embassy/Consulate has done everything in its power, especially regarding its potential in respect of contacts inside Nepal. Not for Alex, and not for Gareth. In the other four "cases" there seems to be no documentation whatsoever that the concerned embassies have contributed significantly to efforts to try and find their nationals back. So who is to say what happened to them, and what not? And on the basis of what authority?
c] Fact is that among other, including fatal, foreign victims of assault and robbery, there was a British tourist, Tim Prentice, who was killed in Nepal in 2000. Lateron his porters were convicted for that crime. Imo it doesn't take much imagination to say that by that time the insurgency was turning into one of the main causes for a decrease in tourist-arrivals, a subsequent rise in poverty (also) among those Nepalis who are dependent on tourism revenues, and an increase of plain banditism.*) There may have been a "Shangri La" for the foreigners at one time; it wasn't there anymore in 2000 as far as tourist's safety is concerned, including the ability to follow up, full-speed, on certain disasters involving a single tourist. The picture Bloomfield has been painting on several occasions, is a false one I believe.
So it seems the fact remains that if Mr. Bloomfield (according to the comparison he makes in above quoted opinion) is so well aware of the risks of going trekking, it's very careless and unprofessional that his organisation (meaning the embassy) did not anticipate and organise anything that would really improve actions and searchresults if a British national goes missing out there. Such as along the lines of the four major issues that you all concentrated on during your Febr. 21 meeting with Baroness Symons.
mieke
*) note 1: A British source, saying: "Tourist arrivals in 1999 numbered over 420,000, but the expected annual growth rate of 8-10% has suffered greatly during the ongoing civil unrest."
note 2: Pique Newsmagazine May 12 '05, saying "Pariyar’s experience is borne out by numbers that indicate tourist arrivals in Nepal have dropped by 40 per cent since 1999."
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18/5/05, 12:19
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mieke
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trekking ambassadors
 image courtesy www.nepalnews.com , who also brought the story
Wish they'd done it the other way 'round: Jolivet to Manang and Bloomfield to the Khumbu.
According to Kantipur Online, the British ambassador was accompanied by his wife and 'several colleagues'. If he would have chosen the other destination, it might have led to better education of his colleagues and in addition given the two of you something to discuss indeed. One could even have thought he finally really took an interest in missing trekkers...
Btw David don't worry we're the only ones criticising the British envoy; a letter to the editor of the Nepali Times of May 13 (Issue # 247), says it much more powerful:
In any other country, if faced with such a lack of trust from the part of the public,
any political party would have cleaned itself up, getting rid of its failed leadership
and corrupt party members.
But this is Nepal so the hypocrites, the liars and the corrupt will lead the rallies for ’democracy’
with the blessings of Keith Bloomfield, Nicholas Howen and other newly found friends,
the same they once had labeled ‘interfering foreigners’.
Source; 2nd letter, by SK Aryal)
And here are observations of today's Hindustan Times (India):
Quotes
The diplomats were invited to describe their adventures in a bid to assure visitors that Nepal is still a safe destination. Jolivet's trek earlier hit the headlines with one daily saying that if the French ambassador could go trekking, anybody could.
The diplomats say no Maoists marred their vacation, the scenery was spectacular and the infrastructure adequate. The French ambassador is even planning to have his holiday experience posted on his government's website to reassure French tourists.
(. . .)
While the British envoy personally recommends a visit to Khumbu, his government says there is a "high threat from terrorism in Nepal". In its travel and security advice updated this month, the British embassy in Kathmandu warned tourists and visitors to avoid two posh hotels - the five-star Soaltee Crowne Plaza in Kathmandu and the Fishtail Lodge in Pokhara city - following Maoist threats to close down the two.
The security advice also says two Russians were injured last month when the outlaws hurled grenades at their car on the Araniko highway, east of Kathmandu. The same day, a civilian bus hit a landmine, killing three people and injuring over 20. "Road travel in general carries risk," the embassy said. "Remotely detonated bombs have been laid in some areas and have injured tourists."
"If you decide to travel to Nepal or are currently in Nepal, we advise extreme caution and vigilance throughout your visit. There is a high threat from terrorism in Nepal. In recent months, Maoist rebels have carried out a large number of attacks, including bombings and shootings, including in areas frequented by foreigners. Tourists have been caught up in some of these attacks, although none have been seriously injured."
Unquote
Sure...
Last edited by mieke, 18/5/05, 14:40
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18/5/05, 14:38
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daviko
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LETTER TO HM AMBASSADOR KEITH BLOOMFIELD
Copied below is the letter that has been sent today to Keith Bloomfield. When and if I get a reply I will publish it here.
23 May 2005
HM Ambassador
Keith Bloomfield
British Embassy
PO Box 106
Lainchaur
Kathmandu
Nepal
GARETH KOCH MISSING IN NEPAL SINCE 8th MARCH 2004
Dear Ambassador Bloomfield,
I was some what dismayed to read an article in the ‘The Rising Nepal’ where you were quoted as saying “There is absolutely no security problem to travel and trek in Nepal, even in the distant villages,” the diplomat-duo said recounting their separate trekking experiences to Manang and Solukhumbu. “We recommend Nepalese and foreigners alike to travel to various destinations and enjoy the beauty of pristine nature and unique culture.”
And here is another quote regarding safety in Nepal. The UK Ambassador says "The fact remains that not a single foreigner has been kidnapped or killed as a result of the eight-year-old insurgency. During that time, the country has received more than three million visitors. The risk of being a victim of Maoist violence is clearly much lower than the risks of going trekking, mountaineering, rafting, or simply going in a bus," said Keith Bloomfield, 57, the British Ambassador to Nepal. "The threat is fairly small."
Perhaps then you could explain what happened to our son who disappeared in the Chhukung region on the 8th March 2004. I won’t go in to all the details as I’m sure both John Chick and Richard Beeson have kept you fully updated about Gareth.
Although Mr Beeson Must be extremely busy as we have not heard from him since the 18th March 2005 and this was only after I wrote to him asking for an update.
How can you be so sure that our son has not been the victim of either the local population or Maoist activity when your own staff at the embassy freely admits that they have no idea what happened to Gareth? Do you have information that they or I do not have, or is the above just ‘tourist speculation’?
I note from the information posted on the Embassy web site that you have a daughter that was born in 1979, this was also the year that Gareth was born. I am sure that if you and your family had been treated in the disgraceful way your staff have treated our family you would also feel angry and disgusted when the British Ambassador says it is safe in Nepal, when clearly it is not.
Perhaps you would be kind enough to ask one your staff (as quite frankly I’m fed up trying to get an update) how far they have got with the missing persons protocol, which they did not have when Gareth went missing in March 2004.
During the last 14 months I have not heard or seen the British Ambassador make any kind of statement in relation to Gareth so perhaps you would like to comment on the above and then I will be able to post your reply to this letter on our web site dedicated to the search for Gareth. The site address is www.garethkochlostinnepal.co.uk
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and I very much look forward to reading your reply.
Sincerely,
David Koch
(Father of Gareth)
Copy sent via e-mail & standard post.
Last edited by daviko, 24/5/05, 17:12
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23/5/05, 15:19
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