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------------------------ World Tibet Network News ---------------------- Published by: The Canada-Tibet Committee Editorial Board: Brian Given <bgiven@ccs.carleton.ca> Nima Dorjee <amnesty@acs.ucalgary.ca> Conrad Richter <conradr@utcc.utoronto.ca> Tseten Samdup <tibetlondon@gn.apc.org> Submissions and subscriptions to: wtn-editors@utcc.utoronto.ca or fax to: +44-71-722-0362 (U.K.) Send us your comments, announcements, news or items for discussion. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Issue ID WTN 94/05/03 GMT 10:30 Compiled by Tseten Samdup Contents ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1) Dalai Lama can return from exile if he abandons independence 2) Chinese central authorities wait patiently for talks with Dalai Lama 3) Tibet official: higher level cadres must be held to account for corruption ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1) Dalai Lama can return from exile if he abandons independence ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Summary: United Front spokesman says negotiation is only way for Dalai Lama to return "to China for his remaining years "; despite negotiations, Dalai Lama has not abandoned claims to independence; Dalai Lama side broke promises to keep talks secret,- if Dalai Lama abandons independence he can return from exile; the time is ripe for him to negotiate a return. (a) Xinhua news agency, Beijing, in English 1421 gmt 28 Apr 94 BBC SWB 30 April 1994 Text of report; all subheadings inserted editorially The Chinese government still hopes that the Dalai Lama will abandon his idea of "Tibetan independence", stop living in exile and return to China for his remaining years, a spokesman said. The spokesman for the United Front Work Department of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee said that negotiation is the "only appropriate" method for making arrangements to resolve this question. "We hope that the Dalai Lama will size up the situation, go with the tide of historical development and make a correct choice," he said in a recent interview with Xinhua in the run-up to the 43rd anniversary of the peaceful liberation of Tibet, which falls on 23rd May. The spokesman answered questions about development and construction in the Tibet Autonomous Region and the policies of China's central government regarding the Dalai Lama. - Tibetans on road to "freedom and happiness" since "liberation" - Q: What profound changes have taken place in Tibet over the past 43 years? A: On 23rd May 1951, the central government and the Tibetan local government signed a 17-article agreement on the peaceful liberation of Tibet, realizing the liberation of Tibet by peaceful means. The peaceful liberation of Tibet is an important component of the Chinese people's liberation cause. Since then, as other nationalities in China, the Tibetan people have fully enjoyed all rights of equality among all nationalities and have embarked on the road of freedom and happiness. Over the past 43 years Tibet has undergone sweeping changes, from the extremely backward serf system to modernization. Millions of serfs have become masters of their fate, while large numbers of Tibetan workers, intellectuals and officials have taken up the task of building and managing Tibet. With the assistance and support from the central government and other parts of China, and through the common efforts of the Tibetan people, Tibet has scored great achievements in construction in various fields. In 1993, Tibet harvested a record 620,000 tons of grain; the number of large domestic animals in Tibet rose to 23.2m; its modern industry, which started from scratch, manufactured 470m yuan-worth of goods; and its energy, transportation and telecommunications conditions improved markedly. - Tibet's "fine traditional" culture "developed" - Meanwhile, the fine traditional Tibetan culture has been inherited and developed, and big strides were made in education, science, culture, public health and other undertakings. The Tibetan people's living standards have improved markedly, with the Tibetan population soaring to two million from one million in the 1950s. The policies of the Communist Party and the government on nationality and religious affairs enjoy wholehearted support of the Tibetan people and all patriotic persons in Tibet. All parts of Tibet are now a picture of vitality and prosperity. - Reform policies will benefit Tibet - The Tibetan people have made great contributions to maintaining the motherland's unity, the unity among the people of various nationalities and the country's modernization drive. In the future, in the course of reforms, opening up and establishing a socialist market economic structure, the central government will continue to pursue policies conducive to Tibet's economic growth and the improvement in living standards of the Tibetan people. It will continue to mobilize people of various nationalities in China to assist Tibet in speeding up its development. It will also combine its assistance with Tibet's self-development efforts and gear its economic assistance with the great environment of reforms in order to lay the groundwork for sustained economic development in Tibet so as to achieve common prosperity . - Dalai Lama welcome to return if he abandons Tibetan independence - Q: It is a historical fact that Tibet is an inseparable part of China. However, even today, the Dalai Lama is still in exile and engaged in activities to split the motherland. What are the policies of the central government concerning the Dalai Lama? Have there been any changes in these policies? A: The principled stand and basic attitude of the central government regarding the Dalai Lama and his followers have been consistent and clear, with no changes at all. As long as the Dalai Lama recognizes the fact that Tibet is an inseparable part of China, totally abandons his idea of "Tibetan independence" and stops engaging in activities to split the motherland, the central government would welcome his stopping to live in exile as soon as possible, returning to China to contribute to upholding the unification of the motherland, national unity and economic development and do something good for the prosperity and happiness of the Tibetan people. - Deng Xiaoping, Li Peng: Tibet is part of China - In 1979 Deng Xiaoping made it clear to a private representative of the Dalai Lama that the question of overriding importance is that Tibet is part of China, and this should be the criterion to judge what is right and what is not. In answering a question from a Xinhua reporter on l9th May 1991, Premier Li Peng reiterated the policies of the central government, saying that there is only one fundamental principle - that Tibet is an inseparable part of China. On that question there is no room at all for bargaining, Li said, adding that the central government is always ready to contact the Dalai Lama, provided that he must stop engaging in activities to split the motherland and change his position of "Tibetan independence" . Negotiations can be held on any questions, but definitely not on "Tibetan independence", the premier stressed. The above policies of the central government remain unchanged. Tibetan affairs are China's internal affairs. Any attempts to "internationalize the Tibet question" will never succeed and will be opposed resolutely by the Chinese people. - No signs that Dalai Lama has abandoned independence stance despite foreign reports - Q: According to reports by foreign wire services, the Dalai Lama has claimed on different occasions that he has made "maximum concessions in a series of initiatives and proposals which clearly lie within the framework for negotiations" in which all questions except the independence of Tibet can be negotiated. Is that true? A: It would be the Dalai Lama's maximum progress if he has genuinely abandoned his stand for "the independence of Tibet". But it is regrettable that we have seen no signs of such progress up to now. The Dalai Lama has never admitted that Tibet is an inseparable part of China since he went into exile, neither has he stopped the activities to split the motherland . His various claims or proposals have always centred on the "independence of Tibet". Recently, he referred to Tibet as a "captive nation", saying that "I firmly believe... will eventually lead our captive nation to freedom and peace in dignity" [as received]. His so called "concessions" are nothing but an adjustment in tactics, essentially still sticking to his claims of "independence of Tibet". - China has "worked hard" in negotiations with Dalai Lama - Q: It is said that the central government has made painstaking efforts for negotiations with the Dalai Lama. But the Dalai Lama has alleged on many occasions that the central government is unwilling to negotiate with him. What are the actual facts? A: Up to now the Dalai Lama has not abandoned his stand for the "independence of Tibet". This is the largest obstacle to negotiations. The central government has worked hard to bring about the result that through negotiations, the Dalai Lama and his followers are reunited with the motherland after they abandon their independence stand. This has demonstrated the sincerity and patience of the central government. - Dalai Lama's representatives have been welcomed; invited for Panchen's funeral - Since 1979, the central government departments have agreed and actually received the Dalai Lama's private representatives back in the motherland and listened attentively to their reports of the Dalai Lama's intentions. Some representatives have been greeted by leading members of the central government. Early in 1989, the Panchen Lama died. Zhao Puchu, president of the China Buddhist Association, personally handed a letter of invitation to the private representatives of the Dalai Lama, inviting him back home to attend the funeral ceremonies. Such a solely religious invitation provided an excellent opportunity for the Dalai Lama to meet with people in Buddhist circles at home after spending over 30 years in exile. However, the Dalai Lama turned down this invitation. After the changes in the international situation in the later half of 1989, the Dalai Lama suspended contacts with the central government. In the same year, the Dalai Lama brazenly split China into several parts, like "Tibet, Xinjiang, Mongolia, Manchu", etc, in maps in his book "Freedom in Exile". In 1992, as China's domestic situation had not turned in the direction which the Dalai Lama had anticipated, he asked to resume the contacts with the central government. On two occasions in 1992 and 1993, central government departments received the Dalai Lama's private representatives. - Secret talks with Dalai Lama representatives not publicized - The reason that the central government did not publicize the over a dozen years' talks with the Dalai Lama's private representatives was that the central government departments explained on various occasions during the talks with the Dalai Lama's private representatives that the contacts were secret and should not be publicized. The Dalai Lama's private representatives made the same promises. We regret that the Dalai Lama's side has broken its promises. It not only publicized such contacts, but distorted the talks so as to mislead the public. - Talks flounder on Tibet "part of China" issue - Q: Why have the bilateral contacts not produced any results? A: The reason that the contacts have not produced any results and we cannot start our negotiations is that the Dalai Lama's side has not reached a common understanding with us on the fundamental issue that "Tibet is an inseparable part of China". They have even referred to the fundamental principles held by the central government as "preconditions and obstacles to negotiations". We think that the fundamental principle is not a so-called precondition and obstacle to hinder negotiations, but the basis and guarantee for successful negotiations. - China will continue its negotiations; hopes Dalai Lama will return "to China" - Q: It is clear that the responsibility for not being able to hold negotiations lies with the Dalai Lama's side. But is there any possibility for progress as the situation stands now? A: In China, we have a saying: "When the melon is ripe it falls off its stem; when the water flows, a channel is formed," which means that when conditions are ripe, success will come. Everything has its own laws of development. But some things will not be obvious or widely perceived as long as they have not developed to a certain stage. The central government will continue its efforts with sincerity and patience. After all the Dalai Lama is a Chinese citizen. We still hope that he will abandon his idea of "independence of Tibet", stop living in exile and return to China for his remaining years. Negotiation is the only appropriate method for making arrangements to resolve this question. We hope that the Dalai Lama will size up the situation, go with the tide of historical development and make a correct choice. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2) Chinese central authorities wait patiently for talks with Dalai Lama ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (b) 'Ta Kung Pao ', Hong Kong, in Chinese 29 Apr 94 Excerpts from "Political Talk" column by Shih Chun-yu (245706893768) entitled: "Chinese central authorities wait patiently for talks with Dalai Lama " BBC SWB 30 April 1994 Xinhua yesterday [28th April] dispatched a report about the comment by a spokesman for the Chinese Communist Party [CCP] Central United Front Work Department, who described the situation of economic construction in Tibet Autonomous Region and also expounded on the central government's policy towards the Dalai Lama [see item (a) above]. The spokesman revealed, for the first time, the details of the contacts between the Central government and the Dalai Lama's personal representatives in order to pave the way for the talks between the two sides. [passage omitted summarizing item (a)] The international community generally acknowledges that Tibet is China's territory but some people in the West, such as some of the British mass media, are still unwilling to "lose" Tibet and continue to assert the "Chinese people's occupation of Tibet" in their news reports. Some other people in the West have tried to seek mental comfort, taking it as chic to discuss Tibet's Lama religion and to worship the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama is not a purely religious figure. Over a long period of time, he has been a political exile engaged in the activities of splitting the motherland. Therefore, the Chinese government and the Chinese people resolutely oppose audiences granted to the Dalai Lama by any officials of foreign governments. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3) Tibet official: higher level cadres must be held to account for corruption ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Summary: party secretary Chen Kuiyuan makes speech on anticorruption drive; special importance of punishing higher-level cadres whose deeds have stronger effects, cadres who collude with "splittism" must be punished resolutely; leaders to be made responsible and held to account for success of economic policies, Ieadership must be strengthened over anticorruption work. Tibet TV, Lhasa, in Standard Chinese 1200 gmt 28 Apr 94 BBC SWB 30 April 1994 Text of report,- subheadings added editorially [Video opens with a long shot of an auditorium where a meeting is being held. After briefly focusing on the stage where leaders are seated, video cuts to a closeup of Tibet party Secretary Chen Kuiyuan, who is delivering a speech from his seat. While Chen is speaking, the camera shows long and closeup shots of other participants at the meeting] The autonomous regional discipline inspection and supervisory work conference held its second plenary session at the Tibet Great Hall of the People on the morning of 28th April. Autonomous regional party committee Secretary Chen Kuiyuan delivered an important speech at the meeting. Autonomous party, government and military leaders including Guo Jinlong, Basang, (?Hu Yongchu), Yang Chuantang, Lieque, (?Buqung), Lu Huimin, Puqung, Pudoje, (?Tian Fujing), Baima Duoji, (?Cui Jiguo), Cering Sangzhub, (?Chai Dan Zhuo Ma) and (?Zhou Qishun), and Zhang Zhu, political commissar of the Tibet People's Armed Police Force, attended the meeting. All cadres attending the autonomous regional discipline inspection and supervisory work conference and leading member cadres from bodies at regional, prefectural and city levels attended the conference. Comrade Chen Kuiyuan's speech consisted of three parts: 1) basic evaluation of the anticorruption drive carried out at an earlier stage, 2) strengthening of anticorruption awareness and further enhancing self consciousness of the anticorruption struggle, and 3) some opinions on furthering the anticorruption drive this year. - "Corrupt phenomena remain very serious" - Touching on conditions of the anticorruption drive carried out at an earlier stage, Comrade Chen Kuiyuan said: Since the autonomous regional party committee and government launched the anticorruption drive, overall, the attitude of party committees and governments at various levels has been resolute, and their actions have been positive with certain results being achieved. The trend of the anticorruption struggle has been favourable and its development has been healthy. Judging from current conditions, corrupt phenomena remain very serious. The anticorruption mission has been formidable and should never be allowed to slacken. We should continue soberly to keep track of the situation and unswervingly deepen the fight against corruption so that the party's basic line can be carried out thoroughly in Tibet. - Anticorruption is a "fundamental requirement" - Comrade Chen. Kuiyuan pointed out: Anticorruption is the fundamental requirement for upholding socialism, the objective demand for developing a socialist market economy, the basic guarantee for making the party the firm leading core in socialist undertakings and an important aspect in stabilizing the situation. All our work should proceed from reality. When we talk about anticorruption, we should direct ourselves to problems actually existing within the party and among cadres in the region, and firmly oppose them. Corrupt elements, no matter where they are, must be investigated and handled according to law and discipline. Focus of anticorruption should be higher level cadres On ways to deepen the anticorruption drive this year, Comrade Chen Kuiyuan emphatically pointed out: First, we should uphold the principle of firmness, solidity and sustainability. In carrying out the anticorruption struggle, party committees and governments at various levels should be firm in enforcing law and discipline in their investigations and handling of party members and cadres found to be violating law and discipline. Corrupt elements should be penalized seriously. The anticorruption drive should not remain as empty talk and arrangements that have been decided in meetings and entered into documents must all be solidly translated into concrete action. Second, in unfolding the anticorruption drive, we should start with the investigation and handling of law and discipline violations. Law and discipline violations committed by leading bodies and cadres - which tend to cause more harm, carry far-reaching effects and are difficult to investigate and handle - have seriously discredited the party and damaged party-masses relations. We should continue to focus the anticorruption drive on investigating and handling law and discipline violations committed by leading organs, cadres and law enforcement, supervisory, and economic management departments, and their work personnel. Third, we should tighten political discipline and consolidate stability and unity. All members and cadres, particularly leading cadres, must thoroughly implement the party's basic line of "one centre and two basic points" and resolutely safeguard the motherland's unification and nationality solidarity. - Punishment for cadres who "collude with splittist forces" - Cadres who oppose the four cardinal principles, promote bourgeois liberalization and collude with splittist forces in carrying out activities designed to split the motherland should be resolutely investigated and handled one after another. - Need to "educate" members on party ideals - Fourth, we must exercise comprehensive control over the anticorruption drive; constantly educate the broad members and cadres in the party's guiding principles, objectives, ideals, disciplines and fine work style as well as the correct outlook on life, values and morality; strengthen their ability in resisting the trend of decadent ideologies, including money worship, hedonism and ultra-individualism; sum up, popularize and strengthen fine experiences in intensifying building of party work style and clean government; and incessantly carry on the party's fine tradition and style. - Leaders to be made responsible for failure to advance economic work - Fifth, we must effectively strengthen leadership over the anticorruption struggle, making it an important item on the agenda. The principal party and government leaders should personally assume leadership in solving major issues, especially deep-seated ones. Henceforth, leaders shall be made accountable for failures to advance economic work. Likewise, they shall be made responsible for failure to advance anticorruption work, and to bring corruption and unhealthy tendencies under effective control. Organizations, discipline inspection and supervisory bodies and public security, procuratorial and judicial departments at all levels should coordinate their work in addition to assuming their respective responsibilities. Party committees and governments at all levels must support the work of discipline inspection and supervisory departments. At the same time, these departments should constantly strive to improve themselves, play the key role in the anticorruption drive, and serve Tibet's reform, development and stability by doing their work outstandingly. At the meeting, Puqung, member of the standing committee of the regional party committee and deputy secretary of the regional discipline inspection commission, delivered a report entitled "Unremittingly combat corruption, encourage honesty and implement the three tasks in an all-round way in order to serve reform, opening to the outside world, economic development and stability". ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------ World Tibet Network News ---------------------- Published by: The Canada-Tibet Committee Editorial Board: Brian Given <bgiven@ccs.carleton.ca> Nima Dorjee <amnesty@acs.ucalgary.ca> Conrad Richter <conradr@utcc.utoronto.ca> Tseten Samdup <tibetlondon@gn.apc.org> Submissions and subscriptions to: wtn-editors@utcc.utoronto.ca or fax to: +44-71-722-0362 (U.K.) Send us your comments, announcements, news or items for discussion. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Issue ID WTN 94/05/03 GMT 14:00 Compiled by Tseten Samdup Content ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1. STATEMENT OF HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA ------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: Secretary, Department of Information and International Relations, Central Tibetan Administration, Dharamsala, H.P. [The following is a statement of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the recent development in Dharamsala] DHARAMSALA, May 3, DIIR -- "Immediately on my return, I offer my condolences to the bereaved family of the young local resident who succumbed to injuries after an altercation with a Tibetan boy in Dharamsala. The incident was most unfortunate and I was deeply pained to learn about it. "I am also very saddened to find wide-spread damage to Tibetan property caused by an unruly mob. However, I am extremely encouraged and proud of the fact that Tibetans acted with great restraint. This has no doubt contributed to the speedy defusion of the tension. "I have been informed of the issues and grievances that have been raised by individuals involved in the recent development. In the next few days I shall be discussing these with my officials. We shall take immediate action on those issues directly relating to Tibetans, and on which we are in a position to take action. "The Government of India, fully aware of our situation, granted asylums to us Tibetan refugees. We are grateful to the people and Government of India for their kindness and understanding. I am confident that such stray incidents will not be allowed to disrupt the harmonious relationship shared by Indians and Tibetans here for the last three decades. "I pray for the wellbeing of the bereaved family and of all those people who have been affected by the recent unfortunate incident." ------------------------ World Tibet Network News ---------------------- Published by: The Canada-Tibet Committee Editorial Board: Brian Given <bgiven@ccs.carleton.ca> Nima Dorjee <amnesty@acs.ucalgary.ca> Conrad Richter <conradr@utcc.utoronto.ca> Tseten Samdup <tibetlondon@gn.apc.org> Submissions and subscriptions to: wtn-editors@utcc.utoronto.ca or fax to: +44-71-722-0362 (U.K.) Send us your comments, announcements, news or items for discussion. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Issue ID: 94/05/03 20:00 GMT Compiled by Conrad Richter Contents ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. China Ups Domestic Security 2. China Denies Alleged Troop Buildup in Tibet near India 3. Dalai Lama Supports China Trade Benefits 4. Clinton Fails to Make Progress with China on Human Rights 5. U.S. Business Fears MFN Retaliation 6. Editorial: Blood on the Earth 7. Keep China Trade ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. China Ups Domestic Security ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- By NICK DRIVER BEIJING, May 3, UPI -- China has increased security in factories, universities and townships nationwide to arrest deteriorating crime situation and the prospect of dissident action as the fifth anniversary of the 1989 crackdown approaches, government sources said Tuesday. A joint directive by the Communist Party Central Committee and the State Council, China's Cabinet, calls on police and army units to ensure all price-based or politically-oriented protests are snuffed out immediately, one government official said. "The directive commands work units across the country to order their workers to stay at home whenever they are not at work," he said. "It also directs banks and factories to pay off workers owed back pay and those temporarily laid off" to stop protests or wildcat strikes by disgruntled labor forces. The directive was issued just before the three-day International Labor Day holiday last weekend, a holiday that traditionally honors the workers, or "masters of the country." Arbitration committees heard more than 12,000 labor disputes last year, a 51-percent rise over 1992, while official media have reported that 300 workers struck a south China factory in March after not being paid for two months. News of the policy comes as the government reveals stark new statistics on its rural crime problem. "The growth proportion of murder, explosions, injuries in some rural areas have exceeded those in urban areas," a report in the official Legal Daily said Tuesday. The article painted a bleak picture of society unravelling, outlining a rising incidence of mafia-style gangs and armed villages fighting the ruling Communist Party for everything from land to food supplies to minerals. "Rural clan forces, feudal superstitious and reactionary societies have brought activities to a head -- in a small number of places the clan forces stand in confrontation to the Party and government organizations in an attempt to replace their power," the newspaper warned. Alarmed government officials blamed the strict new policies on the breakdown in rural public order coupled with the potential for urban unrest. "This is multi-pronged policy and its aim is to take away any threat of labor and dissident unrest in the coming months," said another official who had seen the document. The clampdown on the small but vocal dissident community has remained in place, but human rights watchdog groups note that dissent has taken root throughout society, from workers to students to peasants. "Political dissent in China can no longer be dismissed as simply the isolated or marginal concern of the elite," New York-based Human Rights Watch- Asia said. "Contrary to the government's accusations, the problem appears to stem not from the 'bourgeois liberal' West but to be increasingly rooted in local concerns," the group said in an upcoming assessment of China's human rights progress. Despite the political apathy of most Chinese students today, authorities have ordered increased security and undercover police surveillance at all major universities from now until after June 4, the fifth anniversary of the crackdown on student-led protests. Most students and activists say they will privately commemorate the 1989 massacre of what they believe to be thousands of unarmed protesters, and will not attempt to politicize the event. But the government is taking no chances. Beijing University, headquarters of the 1989 movement, has been effectively declared off- limits to all but university students and faculty. Crack troops guarding the senstive Tibetan plateau have been placed on alert to prevent any disturbances or protests in the coming months, while around the national police and paramilitary police are on the lookout for striking factory workers or dissatisfied peasants, sources say. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. China Denies Alleged Troop Buildup in Tibet near India ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Forwarded by: Debra Guzman, Human Rights Network <DEBRA@OLN.comlink.apc.org> BEIJING, April 28, AP-DJ -- China's Foreign Ministry on Thursday denied reports from abroad of a troop buildup in Tibet near the disputed border with India. The exiled government of the former Tibetan leader, the Dalai Lama, said this week that 30,000 Chinese soldiers had moved from other Chinese posts into Tibet. It said troop movements appeared focused on the sensitive border areas of Drayul and Dromo. 'That report is a sheer fabrication,' Foreign Ministry spokesman Wu Jianmin told a news conference. 'Spreading such lies is obviously out of ulterior motives.' ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Dalai Lama Supports China Trade Benefits ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Forwarded by: Lori Cayton <LCAYTON@macc.wisc.edu> BERLIN, May 1, New York Times [May 2] -- The Dalai Lama, for years a sharp critic of the Chinese policies, said today that a decision by the United States to extend China's current trade status could help the cause of human rights. Speaking at a news conference at the end of a three-day visit to Germany, the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader said he would support an extension of most-favored-nation trading status for China if it included incentives to the Chinese Government to improve its human rights record. The Dalai Lama was in Germany after a visit to Washington, where he met with President Clinton and Vice President Al Gore. President Clinton is to decide by June 3 whether to renew China's trade status, which allows it to export goods to the United States at the lowest possible tariffs. When he renewed the trade benefits last year, he said subsequent renewal would depend on China's progress on human rights. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. Clinton Fails to Make Progress with China on Human Rights ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Forwarded by: Lori Cayton <LCAYTON@macc.wisc.edu> By Douglas Jehl WASHINGTON, May 2, New York Times -- With a month to go before he must decide whether to renew China's preferential trade status, President Clinton made no progress during a meeting today with a top Chinese official toward resolving differences between the two countries over human rights. In a written statement, the White House said Mr. Clinton had reminded Deputy Prime Minister Zou Jiahua of his insistence that China do more to improve its human rights record by the June 3 deadline. But senior White House officials said later that Mr. Zou had simply reasserted Beijing's view that the United States should not interfere in its internal affairs. "They sort of talked a little bit past each other," a senior White House official said after the 40-minute meeting in the Oval Office. Dee Dee Myers, the White House spokeswoman, described the session as "business-like," but other American officials called it stiff and uncomfortable. - Follows Christopher's Visit - The meeting was the first between Mr. Clinton and a top Chinese official since his discussions with President Jang Zemin at an Asian summit meeting in November, and comes six weeks after Secretary of State Warren Christopher met with Chinese intran- sigence in four days of human rights talks in Beijing. Administration officials said it would almost certainly be the last such meeting before Mr. Clinton must decide whether and under what terms to renew China's favored trade status, and they expressed disappointment that Mr. Zou had not been more conciliatory. The officials described Mr. Zou as among the more hard-line members of the current Chinese leadership, and they expressed continued hope that Beijing would ultimately give the Administration the political cover it needed to extend China's most-favored-nation status, which entitles it to export its products to the United States at the lowest possible tariff rates. With the Chinese economy growing faster than that of any other nation, Mr. Clinton and his aides have no appetite for choking off trade by withdrawing China's preferential trade status. - Discussions With Democrats - In private, White House officials have said they now see the question as not whether the status should be renewed, but under what terms, and they have been consulting with Democratic advocates of a tough policy toward China about a compromise that would allow a considerable amount of trade to continue even if China fails to meet the Administration's human rights objectives. Today, in a sign of their unwillingness to risk a new rupture in the fagile relationship, Administration officials declined to speak publicly about the Chinese position, and the White House did not permit reporters and photographers to question either Mr. Clinton or Mr. Zou. That followed Mr. Clinton's decision on Saturday to postpone until June 30 a decision on whether to designate China as one of the world's worst pirates of American recordings and software, a step that could subject it to trade sanctions. White House officials said the President had sided on Saturday afternoon with Treasury Secretary Lloyd Bentsen and others who warnded against injecting new tensions in United States-Chinese relations. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. U.S. Business Fears MFN Retaliation ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- By RUTH YOUNGBLOOD BEIJING, May 3, UPI -- U.S. business executives, shaken by signs that China may not win complete renewal of its trade privileges with the United States, predicted Tuesday that Beijing will retaliate against U. S. products if there is any change in its most-favored-nation status. "We have been guardedly optimistic" that U.S. President Bill Clinton would wrap up the annual battle over human rights and trade by extending China's MFN by the June 3 deadline, said Charles Hamrick, vice president of the American Chamber of Commerce. But Hamrick said he was surprised by a United Press International report that U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher has concluded that China failed to make sufficient progress on human rights reform to merit a blanket renewal of the trade benefits. Officials accompanying Christopher in Damascus said Sunday he will officially forward that recommendation to Clinton by the middle of May barring a monumental change in China's human rights policy over the next two weeks. Clinton's advisers are close to agreeing on a "targeted approach" under which private Chinese companies would retain the MFN benefits while state-run industries would not, the officials said. "They don't understand the complexity of the issue," Hamrick said, noting that many U.S. firms are involved in joint ventures with state- owned companies. "Sanctions will only serve as a hindrance," Hamrick said, predicting "some kind of retaliation." That possibility was underscored in Washington by Chinese Vice Premier Zou Jiahua, who told a gathering of prominent U.S. business leaders Monday, "The annual dispute over the MFN status causes serious damage to the development of economic and trade ties between our two countries." Comparing low-tariff MFN status to the "foundation stone for Sino- American economic and trade relations," Zou said, "If this is undermined, it will do serious damage to the economies and trade of the two countries and to the interests of their consumers." Clinton renewed the MFN last year with the stipulation that China make significant human rights progress in several areas. He demanded that Beijing stop using cheap prison labor, recognize the cultural rights of Tibetans, allow freer political discourse, permit open emigration for the relatives of those in exile and improve treatment of detainees. "This particular policy has failed," said Anne Stevenson-Yang, Beijing director with the U.S.-China Business Council. "Linking trade with MFN penalizes the wrong people." "The U.S. makes the mistake of thinking every Chinese decision is directed at us," Stevenson-Yang said. "Beijing has to take care of its concerns first." Chrysler Corp. is an example of what is at stake for some U.S. businesses. Beijing Jeep Corp., a joint venture between Chrysler and the state- owned Beijing Automotive Works that produces the popular four-wheel- drive vehicles, has been planning on expanding its operation. Chrysler executives are concerned their bid for a $1 billion mini-van joint venture in southern China. They are competing against Germany's Daimler-Bemz Group to take part in the venture. The deal is likely to be finalized in June. Although Chrysler executives have cited Chrysler's decade of experience in the Chinese automobile industry has given the firm a competitive edge, Beijing representative Lauren Giglio acknowledged there was a "good possibility" of losing if the MFN is not renewed intact. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. Editorial: Blood on the Earth ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Forwarded by: International Committee of Lawyers for Tibet" <iclt@igc.apc.org> China's iron-fisted destruction of Tibetan culture and human rights shouldn't escape U.S. reproval in the debate over trade privileges SAN FRANCISCO, May 2, San Francisco Examiner -- AS CURTAIN TIME draws near, consider the psychodrama of American renewal of China's privileged trade status. Steel promises melt in a Daliesque landscape. Manicured hands recalibrate U.S. tolerance for human rights abuses. Much clinking of doubloons is heard offstage. American traders smirk. President Clinton's cerebrum knots to preserve a more southerly part of his anatomy. Let us now bring China trade back to earth, especially since the earth is stained with the blood of Chinese and Tibetans seeking democratic freedoms. The case of forgotten Tibet is especially appalling. The high Himalayan land occupied by China since 1950 has its own language, culture and 2,100-year history. Chinese soldiers murdered an estimated 1 million Tibetans and destroyed some 6,000 monasteries, temples and shrines. - The oppression continues - As Lhasa middle school student died in prison after he and schoolmates were arrested in 1989 for producing banners marked with lions in snowy mountains, which are symbols of Tibetan independence, and other "crimes." Nonetheless, Clinton in June approved a one-year U.S. renewal of China's most favored nation trade status. An extension this June depends in part on "significant improvement in protecting Tibet's unique religious and cultural heritage." But a report by human rights monitor Asia Watch says that in 1993, "a continuing Chinese government campaign of repression against peaceful pro-independence activities by Buddhist monks and nuns sharply intensified." Hundreds of political prisoners are named in the report, "Detained in China and Tibet." China has a population 100 times larger than Tibet's, but 80 percent of the political arrestees last year were Tibetans. Testimony last year of a Tibetan monk named Bhagdro to a British Parliament committee gives a taste of the terror: At a 1988 demonstration for Tibetan independence, "suddenly tear gas was thrown into the crowd, and the army opened fire on the demonstrators; bullets were flying past my head. Right beside me, a man was hit in the temple...another was hit in the stomach. There were people with blood pouring down their faces. I must have been shot in the foot, because I realized that the back of my shoe was missing and blood was pouring our of my heel..." As he inks China's MFN renewal, Clinton should think of the thugs in Tibet. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. Keep China Trade ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Forwarded by: CTC National Office <fourniel@ERE.UMontreal.CA> By Michael Kramer May 2, Time -- Bill Clinton, addicted to compromise, is again close to foolishly splitting the difference on a crucial foreign policy issue. The question this time is whether the U.S. should continue or retard the growing two-way trade between America and China. By June 3, the President must decide to extend or revoke Beijing's most-favored-nation trading status. The tug between ideals and interests has produced a mush of mixed signals since Clinton took office. After saying before he was elected that he would deny MFN to China, Clinton continued the policy last May , but only conditionally. He threatened a cutoff this spring if Beijing's human-rights record failed to demonstrate "overall significant progress." It hasn't. Now, says, House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Lee Hamilton, Clinton "can't renew MFN unless he lies." Clinton faces four choices. He can revoke MFN, affirm America's moral principles and cripple Chinese-American commerce, which last year totalled almost $40 billion. Gone in the process would probably be any chance of enlisting Beijing's help in rolling back North Korea's nuclear-weapons program. Gone too would be approximately 200,000 high-paying U.S. export jobs, which is why Treasury, Commerce and White House economic officials favor retaining MFN. A second course would distinguish between goods produced by private and state-run enterprises. Privately made Chinese products would enjoy MFN; the rest wouldn't. "Sounds good, but it's hard to see it working," says Michel Oksenberg, who was Jimmy Carter's top China hand. "The Chinese have an infinite genius for changing labels. And what would happen to the investments of those U.S. firms involved in joint ventures only partially owned by the state, or to products made privately with components supplied by government concerns? A third option would extend MFN with less rigorous trip wires. "Perhaps human rights could be a general condition rather than one that's filled with specific conditions," said Secretary of State Warren Christopher on March 13. Any compromise, he added, could "move the relationship to a new and more significant level." And a more hypocritical one as well. Clinton's best bet would be to decouple the trade and human-rights issues entirely. Taiwan and South Korea prove that political liberalization follows prosperity. As a vibrant economy creates a robust middle class, ordinary citizens increasingly seek to influence government actions, pressure that even authoritarians must eventually accommodate. Revoking MFN would retrain China's economic growth, thus causing democracy's prospects to suffer. Decoupling the issues, in fact, could increase Clinton's ability to criticize Beijing's internal policies (especially after Deng Xiaoping dies, when spasms of chaos and repression may occur as a struggle for power ensues). Free from fear that bashing Beijing would reignite the MFN debate, the President could openly embrace China's dissidents and encourage U.S. firms to voluntarily tie their China business to improved human-rights practices, as many American companies did when apartheid flourished in South Africa. If conditions so worsened that punitive actions were called for, the U.S. could champion cutbacks in international lending; China is currently the leading recipient of World Bank loans. Above all, decoupling would obviate the need to lie. A forthright admission that a policy isn't working can project leadership and gain credibility for those who call it squarely. The choice is not whether the U.S. should isolate China. That is impossible. The goal is to avoid perpetuating an ineffectual linkage that could isolate America from China. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ World Tibet Network News ---------------------- Published by: The Canada-Tibet Committee Editorial Board: Brian Given <bgiven@ccs.carleton.ca> Nima Dorjee <amnesty@acs.ucalgary.ca> Conrad Richter <conradr@utcc.utoronto.ca> Tseten Samdup <tibetlondon@gn.apc.org> Submissions and subscriptions to: wtn-editors@utcc.utoronto.ca or fax to: +44-71-722-0362 (U.K.) Send us your comments, announcements, news or items for discussion. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ISSUE ID: 94/05/03 20:15 GMT Compiled by Nima Dorjee Contents --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. News Stories and Press Releases from His Holiness's visit to Washington, D.C., in April 1994. 2. VOA Covers the Dalai Lama visit to the U.S. 3. VOA Broadcast on China/Tibet & the Dalai Lama's meeting with the US President Bill Clinton --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. News Stories and Press Releases from His Holiness's visit to Washington, D.C., in April 1994. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: International Campaign for Tibet <ict@igc.apc.org> I. The White House Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release April 28, 1994 Vice President Al Gore met this afternoon with His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, to discuss issues concerning China, including Tibet and other regional questions. As he did last year, President Clinton joined the meeting to pay his respects to the Dalai Lama, to discuss efforts to initiate a dialogue with the Chinese leadership and to inquire about efforts to preserve Tibetan religion and culture. These issues are of concern to the Administration, especially as it reviews the conditions required for renewal of Most-Favored Nation (MFN) status for China. During the meeting, the Dalai Lama discussed his views and concerns about the current conditions in the Tibetan region. The United States continues to urge high level talks between the Chinese Government and the Dalai Lama or his representatives to resolve differences. The President and the Vice President welcomed the Dalai Lama's offer --contained in a speech in New York yesterday -- that he would be willing to meet with senior Chinese leaders to discuss issues related to his concerns for the people of Tibet. II. Excerpts from Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights John Shattuck's remarks at the Public Hearing on China and MFN Trade Status. Thursday, April 21, 1994 "With respect to protecting Tibet's distinct religious and cultural heritage there has been no significant movement. The Dalai Lama's brother visited Beijing last summer but the trip was apparently non-productive. And substantive productive talks between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama or his representatives have not occured or have been scheduled. Let me indicate why that is of such importance. Clearly the basic elements of the religious and cultural integrity of Tibet relate to the freedom of religion and cultural heritage which the Dalai Lama most significantly symbolizes and in order to move forward in that area the President believes that it is essential, and I might say that he looks forward to meeting with the Dalai Lama next month, that the Dalai Lama begin to have conversations with the Chinese Government." III. Statement of National Council on Chinese Affairs (NCCA) Regarding President's Meeting with the Dalai Lama For Immediate Release April 28, 1994 We welcome President Clinton's meeting with the Dalai Lama today. It is a positive step to promote human rights in Tibet, to protect Tibetan cultural and religious heritage. We strongly urge the Chinese government to take steps to improve the basic human rights in Tibet, stop brutal oppression and start negotiations with the Dalai Lama. People in China as well as Chinese dissidents in the U.S. are increasingly concerned about situation in Tibet. These concerns have been eloquesntly expressed by prominent dissident leader Wei Jingsheng and 54 citizens in Shanghai. It is time for the Chinese leadership in Beijing to make positive changes in Tibet in order to maintain MFN status. We support the President's policy to link trade with human rights in China. Without the annual review of most-favored-nations-status, the Chinese Government's behavior in the past four years would have been far worse. Neither the annual review of MFN nor the link between human rights trade should be abandoned. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. VOA COVERS THE DALAI LAMA'S VISIT TO WASHINGTON --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Forwarded by: DEBRA@OLN.comlink.apc.org Washington, D.C., April 29, 1994 -- VOA's Tibetan Service, which is the only western source of news and information for the Tibetan people, provided extensive coverage of the Dalai Lama during his visit to Washington yesterday, including his calls at the White House and on Capitol Hill. The Tibetan Service pursued the story throughout the afternoon and got the only reaction from the Dalai Lama following his meeting at the White House. "During my five hour stopover in Washington, D.C.," said the Dalai Lama, "I met both members of the House and Senate who are strong supporters of the Tibetan cause, and I also met both the President and the Vice-President. Both of them are very supportive on the Tibetan issue." The Tibetan Service broadcasters received this comment just 10 minutes before they went on the air at 8:00 p.m. Washington time. Established in 1991, VOA's Tibetan Service broadcasts one and a half hours a day. The Voice of America is the international radio service of the U.S. Information Agency, broadcasting almost 1,000 hours a week in 46 languages. VOA direct shortwave and medium wave broadcasts reach approximately 92 million listeners each week. One in five listeners tune in VOA Worldwide English broadcasts; the rest listen to VOA language service broadcasts. This estimate does not include listeners who tune in VOA programs rebroadcast by approximately 1,100 affiliate radio stations around the world and greatly expand VOA's listening audience. Office of External Affairs Phone: +1-202-619-2538 Internet: PUBAFF@VOA.GOV --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. VOA on China/Tibet on the Dalai Lama meeting with the US President --------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: DEBRA@OLN.comlink.apc.org Organization: Human Rights Network - HRNet Beijing, April 29, 1994 (VOA BROADCAST) -- By: David Dyar INTRO: CHINA HAS SHARPLY CRITICIZED U-S PRESIDENT CLINTON AND VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE FOR MEETING THURSDAY AT THE WHITE HOUSE WITH TIBET'S SPIRITUAL LEADER, THE DALI LAMA. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT DAVID DYAR REPORTS FROM BEIJING. TEXT: CHINA'S FOREIGN MINISTRY RELEASED A STATEMENT LATE FRIDAY (BEIJING TIME), SAYING THE MEETING SERIOUSLY INTERFERES IN CHINA INTERNAL AFFAIRS. ON THURSDAY, THE DALI LAMA MET WITH VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE AT THE WHITE HOUSE AND PRESIDENT CLINTON LATER JOINED THE MEETING FOR A SHORT PERIOD. THE CHINESE STATEMENT SAID CHINA DEMANDS THE UNITED STATES LIVE UP TO ITS COMMITMENT WHICH RECOGNIZES THAT TIBET IS A PART OF CHINA. CHINA ACCUSES THE DALI LAMA OF TRYING TO SPLIT TIBET FROM CHINA. THE FOREIGN MINISTRY STATEMENT SAID THE MEETING AT THE WHITE HOUSE CAME DESPITE REPEATED REPRESENTATIONS AND OPPOSITION FROM THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT. THE STATEMENT SAID THE MEETING HURT THE FEELINGS OF THE CHINESE PEOPLE. THE WHITE HOUSE SAID THE MEETING WAS HELD TO DISCUSS ISSUES OF CONCERN TO THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION AS IT PREPARES FOR A DECISION ABOUT RENEWING CHINA'S FAVORABLE TRADING STATUS WITH THE UNITED STATES. THE WHITE HOUSE SAID THE UNITED STATES URGES HIGH LEVEL TALKS BETWEEN CHINESE OFFICIALS AND THE DALI LAMA. CHINESE OFFICIALS SAY THEY WILL MEET WITH THE DALI LAMA ONLY IF HE ABANDONS ANY DEMANDS FOR TIBETAN INDEPENDENCE. A STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE CHINESE NEWS AGENCY THURSDAY SAID CHINESE OFFICIALS HAVE MET WITH AIDES TO THE DALI LAMA IN THE PAST. HOWEVER, IT PLACED CONDITIONS ON A MEETING BETWEEN THE TIBETAN SPIRITUAL LEADER AND CHINESE OFFICIALS. CHINA SAYS IT WILL NEVER COMPROMISE ON ITS POSITION THAT TIBET IS A PART OF CHINA. ON WEDNESDAY THE DALI LAMA OFFERED TO MEET WITH SENIOR CHINESE OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS THE TIBETAN ISSUE. HE MADE THE OFFER IN A SPEECH IN NEW YORK. PRESIDENT CLINTON AND VICE PRESIDENT GORE HAVE PREVIOUS MET WITH THE DALI LAMA AT THE WHITE HOUSE. (SIGNED) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ World Tibet Network News ---------------------- Published by: The Canada-Tibet Committee Editorial Board: Brian Given <bgiven@ccs.carleton.ca> Nima Dorjee <amnesty@acs.ucalgary.ca> Conrad Richter <conradr@utcc.utoronto.ca> Tseten Samdup <tibetlondon@gn.apc.org> Submissions and subscriptions to: wtn-editors@utcc.utoronto.ca or fax to: +44-71-722-0362 (U.K.) Send us your comments, announcements, news or items for discussion. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ISSUE ID: 94/05/03 20:30 GMT Compiled by Nima Dorjee Content -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. His Holiness the Dalai Lama's speech in New York, April 1994 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Forwarded by: International Campaign for Tibet <ict@igc.apc.org> By His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama Reflections on the Challenges of the 21st Century [Speech delivered to New York Lawyers Alliance for World Security and the Council on Foreign Relations] New York City April 27, 1994 As the twentieth century draws to a close, we find that the world has grown smaller. The world's people have become almost one community. Political and military alliances have created large multinational groups; industry and international trade have produced a global economy. Worldwide communications are eliminating ancient barriers of distance, language and race. We are also being drawn together by the grave problems we face: overpopulation, dwindling natural resources, degradation of the environment, military build-up and aggression and terrible human rights situations. I believe that to meet the challenge of the next century, human beings will have to develop a greater sense of universal responsibility. Each of us must learn to work not just for his or her own self, family or nation, but for the benefit of all mankind. It is very old fashioned to think in terms of my nation, or my country. Universal responsibility is the real key to human survival. Whether we like it or not, we have all been born on this earth as part of one great family. Rich or poor, educated or uneducated, black, white or yellow, belonging to one nation, religion, ideology or another, ultimately each of us is just a human being like everyone else. We have the common human needs and concerns. We all seek happiness and try to avoid suffering regardless of our race, religion, sex or political status. Human beings, indeed all sentient beings, have the right to pursue happiness and live in peace and in freedom. As free human beings we can use our unique intelligence and try to understand ourselves and our world. But if we are prevented from using our creative potential, we are deprived of one of the basic characteristics of a human being. It is often the most gifted, dedicated and creative members of our society who become victims of human rights abuses. Thus the political, social, cultural and economic developments of a society are obstructed by the violations of human rights. Therefore, the protection of these rights and freedoms are of immense importance both for the individuals affected and for the development of the society as a whole. If we accept that others have an equal right to peace and happiness as ourselves do we not have a responsibility to help those in need? Respect for fundamental human rights is as important to the people of Africa and Asia as it is to those in Europe or the Americas. All human beings, whatever their cultural or historical background suffer when they are intimidated, imprisoned or tortured. The question of human rights is so fundamentally important that there should be no difference of views on this. We must therefore insist on a global consensus not only on the need to respect human rights world wide, but also on the definition of these rights. Some governments have contended that the standards of human rights laid down in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are those advocated by the West and cannot be applied to Asia and other parts of the Third World because of differences in culture and differences in social and economic development. I do not share this view and I am convinced that the majority of Asian people do not support this view either, for it is the inherent nature of all human beings to yearn for freedom, equality and dignity and they have an equal right to achieve that. I do not see any contradiction between the need for economic development and the need for respect of human rights. The rich diversity of cultures and religions should help to strengthen the fundamental human rights in all communities. Underlying this diversity are fundamental human principles that bind all us all as members of the same human family. Diversity and traditions can never justify the violations of human rights. Thus discrimination of persons from a different race, of women, and of weaker sections of the society may be traditional in some regions, but if they are inconsistent with universally recognized human rights, these forms of behavior should change. The universal principles of equality of all human beings must take precedence. Artificial barriers that have divided nations and peoples have fallen in recent times. With the dismantling of the Berlin Wall, the East - West division which has polarized the whole world for decades has now come to an end. We are experiencing a time filled with hope and expectations. Yet there still remains a major gulf at the heart of the human family. By this I am referring to the North South divide. If we are serious in our commitment to the fundamental principles of equality, principles which I believe lie at the heart of the concept of human rights, today's economic disparity can no longer be ignored. It is not enough to merely state that all human beings must enjoy equal dignity. This must be translated into action. We have a responsibility to find ways to reduce this gap. In this context, another important issue is over-population. From a Buddhist point of view, life of every sentient being is precious, and birth control is not favored. But today, we are facing a situation where the growing number of people poses a threat to the survival of humanity. Therefor, I personally feel we need to be pragmatic and adopt birth control measures in order to ensure the quality of life today in southern countries, and protect the quality of life for future generations. Of course, as a Buddhist monk, I favor non-violent forms of birth control. Another issue which is very dear to my vision of the future is global demilitarization. This may sound idealistic to many people. I am aware that it needs a process of rethinking, education and a step by step approach. Most important I believe, is to re-evaluate our concept of military establishment. National forces should be gradually dissolved and collective forces on a regional basis should be formed. An important further step toward the goal of global demilitarization is an international ban on arms trade and the expansion of demilitarized zones in all parts of the world. Recent progress on dismantling nuclear arsenals and nuclear test bans are encouraging and significant developments. Many dictators in the developing world have survived by weapons and armaments supplied by northern countries. So much money has gone towards buying guns instead of feeding people and meeting basic human and environmental needs. Costa Rica, a country which has followed the demilitarized path, has done quite well in areas such as education and health compared to neighboring countries. On the other hand, take Somalia for example, it is such a tragedy that there is no shortage of guns and bullets, but a severe lack of food. In such situations, thousands of innocent people can die, including many innocent children. Even in your own country, guns and violence are too prevalent. And it seems that a contributing factor is the availability of inexpensive automatic weapons sold to American consumers by companies owned by the Peoples Liberation Army. Those cheap weapons are not only harming Americans, but also financially contributing to the army repressing my people in Tibet. I have always envisioned the future of my own country, Tibet, as a neutral, demilitarized sanctuary where weapons are forbidden and the people live in harmony with nature. I have called this a Zone of Ahimsa or non-violence. This is not merely a dream -- it is precisely the way Tibetans tried to live for over a thousand years before our country was tragically invaded. Also, for at least the last three hundred years, we had virtually no army. Tibet gave up the waging of war as an instrument of national policy several centuries ago. I would also like to express my deep sense of satisfaction that elections are taking place in South Africa that allow all South Africans to participate. I hope and pray that peoples of all backgrounds and leaders of all communities will continue to work together towards an open, democratic society. I also had the opportunity to visit Israel recently, and there too, I was very heartened to see a process of negotiations towards a peaceful solution. Both these conflicts are being resolved through personal, face-to-face dialogue which I have always believed is essential. Unfortunately, my efforts to resolve the situation in Tibet have not been as successful. So far, we have not been able to make a breakthrough and establish direct talks. It has been thirty five years since the Chinese took complete control of Tibet. At that time, I , along with over 100,000 fellow Tibetans, left my homeland to live in exile in India, Nepal and other parts of the globe. As a result of the invasion and the ensuing occupation over 1.2 million of our people died of unnatural causes. Most of our monasteries, the learning centers and repositories of our culture-- over 6000 of them-- have been destroyed. Since that time I have pursued a cause of non-violence and have tried in every way I know to find some reasonable accommodation with the Chinese government so that the Tibetan people can resume a life in peace and with dignity. In 1979, Deng Xiaoping stated that all issues regarding Tibet were open for negotiations-- except that of independence. I responded positively in agreement with the principles advanced by Mr. Deng Xiaoping with the hope that the Chinese government would be genuinely committed to negotiate on all other matters concerning the future of the six million Tibetans. After informing the Chinese of my position on this point, through my emissaries who traveled to Beijing and met with Chinese diplomats abroad as well as through some of our foreign friends, I was hopeful that a forthright response would come from the Chinese so that we could enter into serious negotiations. My decision to make a short trip to Tibet in 1991 would have also given the Chinese government an opportunity to arrange direct meetings between me and some of their senior leaders who could have come to Tibet to meet me. Unfortunately the Chinese government has yet to accept any of my proposals over the last fourteen years and has yet to enter into substantive negotiations with my representatives, who remain prepared to meet with Chinese representatives anytime. Therefore, I take this opportunity to again state my willingness to meet with any of the present members of the Standing Committee of the Politburo in a third country of mutual convenience with the sincere desire to make a breakthrough in our relationship. On my part I am continuing with my sincere efforts to resolve the situation through negotiations. If this approach does not bring about a positive result, then I must consult my people over our future course of our freedom struggle. However, my commitment to non-violence is fundamental and there will be no deviation from this path under my leadership. I think we can say that, because of the lessons we have begun to learn, the next century will be friendlier, more harmonious and peaceful. I am very hopeful. At the same time, I believe that every individual has a responsibility to help guide our global family in the right direction. Good wishes are not enough; we have to assume responsibility. Large human movements spring from individual initiatives. I therefore believe strongly that it is the individual who makes the difference. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- GoldED 2.41+/#1067 * Origin: BODY DHARMA * Moderator, TIBET_NEWS - DharmaNet (96:101/33)