Bhutan says no to Red Cross role

GUWAHATI, Dec 23: Bhutan does not see the need for involvement of the International Committee of Red Cross at present in the evacuation of non-combatant women and children of the ULFA, NDFB and KLO camps, demolished in the operation against the outfits by its Army. Bhutan Deputy Head of Mission in India Thinley Penjor told PTI today from New Delhi over phone that the ICRC had met ambassador Dago Tshering yesterday with a request to allow its delegation to visit the kingdom. ?The government at this stage does not see the need for their (ICRC) involvement. Their help will be taken later if necessary?, Penjor said. ?At this stage the government of Bhutan feels the visit of the ICRC to Bhutan is not essential?, he added. The ULFA had at the beginning of ?Operation All Clear? by RBA from December 15 had urged Red Cross to help the non-combatant family members of the ultras. Penjor also said the Army offensives to flush out the militants would continue ?till the last man leaves our territory?.