Diplomats, stick to the norms

NF correspondent

As an apparent follow-up of the complaint that the Foreign Ministry is being bypassed by the Prime Minister and other dignitaries in the past, the government has asked all those holding official positions - both political and bureaucratic, to keep the ministry informed about any meeting with representatives of other countries. The directives as adopted by the cabinet also ask diplomatic missions in Nepal that any meeting and correspondence they make with any official or ministers including the PM and the President must be routed through the ministry. It says that even the request for such meetings must be routed through it. Irked by the leniency that diplomats in Nepal have taken to the extent of meddling in the country’s internal affairs, the ministry is also considering formulating and implementing a code of conduct for them. That will bar them from directly meeting high officials including the PM without the ministry knowing about it. However, it is not known whether the dignitaries in Nepal including the PM will comply with the desired norms. Although there are many international conventions and code of conduct for it, it has become almost a casualty for diplomats of some countries posted in Nepal. The step was taken at the behest of the ministry following much evidence that the PM’s office was bypassing the ministry and issuing directives to Nepali missions abroad directly without the consent from Shital Niwas. Foreign Minister, Upendra Yadav who had expressed his displeasure with PM Prachanda over such ‘high handed behavior’ later took the initiative to establish certain norms for diplomatic and official conduct in dealing with the foreign missions. A substantial part of the seven point directives also appears like a code of conduct for the government officials. It says any communication or correspondence that any ministry or officials in Nepal need to do with other governments must be done through the ministry. Similarly, the Nepali mission outside must apprise the government of Nepal about developments there through the ministry. It states any official going abroad on business must keep in touch with the mission. The senior officials must brief the ministry about the nature and contents of their discussions with officials and dignitaries from other countries. The directive also expects senior officials representing the country in international forums, to avail a copy of their statement to the ministry in advance. ä