There may be some validity to the argument that a tiny poor country like Nepal bears the brunt of a superpower in 'Nepal feels the heat over Tibet deportations' and 'Tibet, Tibet'. But you failed to look introspectively at our own inadequacies. We do not have a coherent policy that tackles refugees, foreign policy and trade. Our government officials and diplomats are ill-informed or not adequately trained to tackle complex international issues. A sudden 180 degree turn in the official refugee policy towards Tibetans could not have happened without the blessings of the powers to be. This type of policy of appeasement will only lead to greater problems. Our ambassador in Washington should have warned Kathmandu about the severe consequences of an international uproar and the probability of Senator Feinstein's withdrawal of quotas for Nepali garments. Obviously, our foreign policy does not function in terms of national self-interest. Which is greater: jobs for Nepalis, trade, foreign currency earnings at this dire political and economical juncture, or sending back a handful of Tibetan refugees to appease a neighbour? Let us not blame the Senator, INGO's or other nations for this. We must blame our own policies that run at the whim of a few in Kathmandu.

SN Singh,
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