THIMPU: Although Bhutan and the United States do not have diplomatic relations, the two countries share a lot of ideals of freedom, of helping people, of a clean environment, and independence of the people, according to members of a delegation from the US Congress who were on a goodwill visit to Bhutan from August 18-21.

The delegation received an audience with His Majesty the King on August 19. “Our meeting with His Majesty the King and the ministers gave us a very positive view of the future,” said Senator Frank Lautenberg, a senior democrat from New Jersey.

“To listen to their views and aspirations for Bhutan was inspiring for us.”

The nine-member delegation met the prime minister, the chief justice, the foreign minister, the finance minister, and other Bhutanese officials.

Senator Richard Shelby, a republican from Alabama, said that the purpose of the visit was “to bring better and stronger understanding between the US and Bhutan and to learn more about Bhutan first hand”.

“Although Bhutan is a tiny country it has a particular ethic and culture that is extremely important as a goal for much larger societies,” said Senator Lautenberg who added that the U.S., as big as it was, “never had enough friends and Bhutan could be a valued ally”. “Here they seem to operate with principles that are important examples for us, giant though we are.”

“ It is a different world at this day and time and so we need to support one another and become stronger,” said Robert E. Cramer Jr., a democrat from Alabama. “Bhutan, under the leadership of a wise King is drafting a Constitution and we are also a young democracy, so we do have a lot in common.”

The delegation comprised the two senators, their wives, and other American officials.

Senator Richard Shelby was elected to the senate in 1987, with more than 20 years of experience in public service. He served four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, and prior to that, he spent eight years in the Alabama legislature. He has received countless awards for his outstanding record on business, economic, family and seniors issues.

Senator Frank Lautenberg served in the Army Signal Corps in Europe during World War II. Later he became a businessman and founder of a major computing services firm, automatic data processing (ADP). He was elected to the Senate in 1982 and was re-elected in 1988 and 1994.

Courtesy Kuensel