Permanent Ambassador from Nepal to UN

Seymour N. Siegel introduces Nepal's permanent ambassador to the UN, Padma Bahadur Khatri. The ambassador is questioned by James Sheldon treasurer of the Overseas Press Club, Ted Morello UN correspondent for the Pakistan Times, and Cy Wilbur of the San Jose Mercury News.

Sheldon: How does it feel to be a member of the Security Council from one of the UN's small nations?

Khatri: Glad to be there.

Morello: Out 123 votes you got 120 votes - how did Nepal manage that?

Khatri: Our non-aligned policy contributed. Our foreign policy projection was well received by other nations of the world.

Wilbur: Election to the SC indicates that they're looking to Nepal to some contributions...will you be looking to larger powers for guidance?

Khatri: "We do not like to lean on larger powers. No loyalty to any block big or small. Out approach is to judge every problem and case on its merits without fear or favor from any quarter. Of course, consultation is always there, but we want to contribute that way.

Sheldon: How do you conduct your elections in Nepal?

Khatri: Grass roots - from the village. One man, one vote.

Morello: The middle-east is going to be a major issue. You've taken a balanced position between Israel and the Arab states. What is the first step - by the Arabs? Or by Israel? A timetable?

Khatri: On principle, the withdrawn by Israel cannot happen overnight. And the recognition issue must be resolved.

Wilbur: If the Arab nations sit down to talk - recognition - this is the first step? What if Israel says they will only pull out partially? What if they hold on to East Jerusalem?

Khatri: Partial return is not correct. It is no solution.

Sheldon: Is a permanent peace settlement going to involve some give and take in terms of boundaries? Division of Jerusalem?

Khatri: They will have to negotiate among themselves. A decision cannot be imposed from outside.

Morello: The China question. You advocate UN membership for mainland China. Why do you endorse this?

Khatri: China is a big country and has a legitimate right to be a member. UN is in need of China; China may not be in need of the UN. Any big problem in the world today cannot be resolved the active participation of mainland China.

Wilbur: Nepal is a democratic monarchy. Who has final say?

Khatri: The monarch.

Sheldon: SC resolutions on Africa, South West Africa, Apartheid, Rhodesia. Where do you stand?

Khatri: We think that this policy of apartheid is a criminal act. It is got to go and very soon. High time that something must be worked out before there is a major disaster in that part of the world. We hope that sanctions will work in Rhodesia.

Morello: Non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. Treaty being held up by Washington. Events in Czechoslovakia has slowed things up.

Khatri: U.S. has a moral obligation to ratify the treaty. Sad event if they don't.

Wilbur: U.S. presidential campaign. Who would you like to have seen elected?

Khatri: We can't take sides in internal U.S. politics.

Sheldon: Tibetan refugees your country has helped - what is going on?

Khatri: This is largely past history. Refugees in our country are well looked after and have jobs, and they are doing well. Those who want to go south to India have done so.

Morello: The divided states. Korea, Germany, Vietnam.

Khatri: They are on the agenda.

Siegel: wraps up.






Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection


WNYC archives id: 151842
Municipal archives id: T5983