Dear Fellow Tibetans and Friends in North America:
Tashi Delek! I would like to wish all of you a wonderful celebration, as we celebrate the 68th birthday of our beloved spiritual and temporal leader, His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama of Tibet. This day is also being observed as World Tibet Day in many countries. Millions of Tibetans inside Tibet can only join us in spirit. Please join me in a prayer to wish His Holiness happiness, good health and a long life. Let us work together, with more determination than ever, to assist His Holiness and the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, in achieving his vision of peace, happiness and restoration of basic freedom for the six million Tibetans still suffering in Tibet. I would also like to convey my thanks and gratitude on behalf of all Tibetans in the US and Canada, to His Holiness for his tireless efforts for over 50 years in serving the needs of the Tibetan people. On May 16, during the closing ceremony of the 360th anniversary of the founding of Gaden Phodrang in Dharamsala, I was elated to hear His Holiness state that he would continue to work for the benefit of the Tibetan people.
In late May, His Holiness’ delegation left for China for their second visit to continue on the recently established renewal of direct contact with the Chinese Government. Upon their return, on June 11, Special Envoy Mr. Lodi Gyari, the head of the Tibetan Delegation, stated that he and his team visited various parts of China from May 25 through June 8. He stated that both sides had agreed “that many areas of disagreement still exist.” He mentioned the need for more effort to “bring about mutual understanding and trust.” He also stated that Chinese leaders had “explicitly acknowledged the positive efforts made by the Tibetan leadership to create a conducive environment for the continuation of the present process” and that the delegation had suggested “that both sides take further steps.” He mentioned that His Holiness was “particularly pleased that the Chinese leadership has a positive assessment of our recent direct contact.” He stated that His Holiness is “encouraged by the development and reiterated the importance for us to continue to make vigorous efforts to advance this process further.” He stated that their “mission is to lead this process to an earnest negotiation to find a mutually acceptable solution for the Tibetan people.” His statement also mentioned that Kalon Tripa Samdhong Rinpoche “has expressed his determination to continue the present course of creating a conducive atmosphere for the continuation of the process of rapprochement.” I am hopeful that the Chinese government will see the sincerity in our stand and commitment to dialogue from our side. I do support the efforts of the Kalon Tripa. However, I would like to clarify that a conducive atmosphere should mean a non-confrontational and civil approach with the Chinese leadership. It should not mean that we stop seeking help from supporters and governments around the world, to solve issues concerning Tibet and Tibetans based on truth and justice. These are important times for all of us to remain united in our efforts. It is also important to remember that we have not yet embarked on negotiations and therefore must be careful in our appraisal of the current situation. The three year deadline given by the European Union’s resolution on Tibet also ends on this day. Regardless of how we feel about the recent developments, we must work diligently towards building greater trust and greater support needed to achieve a negotiated settlement. We are seeking genuine political autonomy and basic freedoms for all three regions of Tibet in order to preserve our Tibetan identity, culture, religion and way of life. Let us not forget the millions of Tibetans, who continue to place their hopes on us for a better tomorrow. I encourage discussions and debates in your communities in assessing the recent developments and inform me of your concerns and suggestions.
I was deeply concerned when the Nepalese government deported, on May 31, 18 young Tibetans to Tibet with direct involvement by officials from the Chinese embassy in Nepal. They are currently in detention in Tibet. Nepal has been condemned for its action and treatment of refugees by various governments around the world and the United Nations. Since then, 19 new Tibetans were also arrested on June 17, however, they did not suffer the same fate. They have been handed over to the office of the UNHCR. In more disturbing news, three Tibetans were arrested in Tibet on June 16, accused of “activities to split the motherland.” Let us urge our Representatives to seek the release of the 18 Tibetans, the three newly detained Tibetans, and all other Tibetan political prisoners. Your efforts have made a great difference in the past year with the release of Takna Jigme Sangpo, Ngawang Sandrol and Ngawang Choephel.
Please visit my web site or contact your local Tibetan Association for a copy of my latest newsletter containing key decisions from the last session of Parliament and the 2003&04 Annual Budget of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile. All previous newsletters and links to the entire minutes of the last session of Parliament are available on my web site at www.tibet.org/nachitue. I have also added a Discussion Forum for Tibetan Issues. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on various Tibetan issues.
Sincerely,
Tenzing Chonden
North America Chitue
