Everest 2008: Nepal’s Home Ministry Refutes Claims of ‘Deadly Force’ Being Issued

April 24, 2008

I recently made a post about Nepal’s government giving orders that authorities can use deadly force in the Mt. Everest region if climbers fail to follow the rules set down by Nepal’s government concerning expeditions.

I was busy going through a couple of newswires looking for more information on the American Climber that got expelled today from the South Basecamp on Everest, when I ran across this little piece tucked nice and neat at the bottom of an article:

From the News Site ExpressIndia.com

“Meanwhile, the Home Ministry has refuted the media reports that shoot at sight order were issued against Tibetan protestors during the Olympic torch relay saying they were ‘baseless and fabricated’.

However, it said, the government has made arrangements to prohibit any sort of protests in the Nepalese territory regarding the Olympic torch that will be taken to the top of the Everest by Chinese athletes.”

Hmmm…..

On a report from CNN on April 20th, Mod Roj Dotel, spokesman for the Home Ministry of Nepal had this to say:

“About 25 soldiers and policemen have established camps on the mountain and they have been ordered to use force if necessary to stop any anti-Chinese activities,” Mod Raj Dotel, spokesman for the home ministry, said Sunday. “This could mean shooting if necessary.”

Makes one wonder if Nepal actually thinks the world is this stupid. Nepal’s Home Ministry claims that these ‘rumors’ are baseless and fabricated. If that is the case, then Nepal’s Home Ministry would seem to be the one spreading these baseless and fabricated rumors.

Let me give you a few more examples that were flying around as ‘baseless and fabricated’

“Nepal has deployed dozens of armed police and soldiers high up on Mt Everest with orders to open fire to prevent disruption of the Olympic Torch relay by China, media reports said Sunday.”

This is from The Nation in Bangkok, Thailand

“Nepalese soldiers and police guarding the slopes of Mount Everest are authorized to shoot to stop any protests during China’s Olympic torch run to the summit, an official said Sunday.”

This one is from an Associated Press Writer from Kathmandu.

First Nepal wants to intimidate climbers in the Mt. Everest region by threatening to gun them down if protests in support of Tibet break out. I am pretty sure I have made my point to these threats. If this isn’t enough, the news even spread to ESPN on this report.

Now Nepal’s Home Ministry is reporting that these claims are ‘baseless and fabricated.’ Seems bad timing for a claim against breaking news three days ago, by there own spokesman, that spread throughout the world.

Nepal is quickly coming under harsh criticism from the International Community. Many eyes are watching as Nepal handles the recent expulsion of an American climber who was found to be carrying a Pro-Tibet flag at Everest Basecamp. Just how far does China’s reach extend into Nepal, and why is a ‘democratic country,’ as they like to refer to themselves, going against so many rights of it’s own established constitution in regards to climbers and protesters this year?

Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio! China could fit on your nose!

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