KATHMANDU: The US Embassy in Kathmandu has said holding interaction programs with the people of Nepal does not violate diplomatic decorum.
So many people have questions for the Ambassador or want to meet him but that is not always possible. This is a way to connect with people across Nepal.
— Andie De Arment (@AndieDeArment) May 21, 2019
Spokesperson at the US Embassy Andie DeArment tweeted defending the planned interaction as a “way to connect with people across Nepal” since so many people, who want to meet him, have questions for the Ambassador.
instances that will result in violation of the restriction. Regarding having meeting with people, there is no same approach and differs from country to country. For e.g. “Open belgian practice’ to restrictive ‘Baharanian practice’. Personally, i feel diplomat should not be
— Nirab Gyawali (@nirab_incorrect) May 22, 2019
The US Embassy, has, however, not issued any formal statement regarding the issue.
Andie, meanwhile, has clarified that the practice of interacting with the people was as per diplomatic norms and practices saying public diplomacy is literally talking to people since the US Ambassador Randy Berry will be answering to people’s queries, giving information.
The issue came to the fore after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Wednesday urged the US Embassy to refrain from holding such interactions with Nepali people through social media platforms.
On Wednesday, Foreign Secretary Shankar Das Bairagi met with US Ambassador Berry and discussed the issue asking the latter not to organize such interaction with the people through social media platforms.
The US Ambassador Berry had on Sunday tweeted announcing his plan to hold interaction ‘Rajdoot Sanga Guff Gaff’ on social media such as Facebook and Twitter with the Nepali people.
The intention to hold such interaction, according to the US Embassy, was “to hear from and answer questions” from the people since it was not possible to talk or meet over four million people.
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