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1 TRANSLATION OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND ... - APFA News

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of Ministers who worked with unfailing loyalty and dedication in the service of<br />

the country, for which he expressed deep gratitude on behalf of the people. He<br />

said that the ULFA leaders had raised concerns for their personal safety in<br />

coming to Bhutan for talks with the Royal Government. If they realised how<br />

big a security threat was being posed to the Bhutanese people by their continued<br />

presence, instead of only being concerned for the security of a few of their<br />

leaders coming for talks, we would not be having this present problem in our<br />

country, he said.<br />

He said that the doubts expressed by some of the Chimis regarding the agreed<br />

minutes should not be taken as a lack of appreciation or respect for the efforts<br />

made by His Majesty the King and the Council of Ministers to find a peaceful<br />

solution to the problem. Such doubts were being expressed because the<br />

militants who had caused so much concern among the people of Bhutan had not<br />

honoured their own words in the past few years.<br />

He also said that although Punakha Dzongkhag had a small population, 290<br />

young men between the age of 18 and 35 had come foward to serve as militia<br />

volunteers. Out of the 45 volunteers sent recently as recruits for the regular<br />

army, 23 were accepted by the army after checking their physical fitness. He<br />

said that the strong bond of loyalty and commitment between the government<br />

and people is of utmost importance for ensuring and sustaining the security and<br />

sovereignty of the country. The Chimi pledged the total commitment of the<br />

people to provide unwavering support to the Royal Government to overcome<br />

any problem and challenge facing the country.<br />

The people’s representatives of Wangdi Phodrang, Trashigang, Pema Gatshel<br />

and Zhemgang Dzongkhags expressed their appreciation for receiving copies of<br />

the agreed minutes of the meeting held between the Royal Government and the<br />

ULFA militants. They said that the positive outcome of the talks was a result of<br />

His Majesty the King having assumed full responsibility for national security<br />

94

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