The first day of the conference was dedicated to issues relating to Tibetan cultural and rehabilitation matters. The people's representatives expressed the need for Tibetan spiritual teachers in the west to take up the political cause of Tibet and said that the Tibetan spiritual tradition cannot survive without a firm political foundation. The delegates also expressed concern over the fact that the moral conduct of a small number of people is bringing disrepute to the Tibetan spiritual community as a whole. Mr. Amanullah Dooth, delegate of the Tibetan Muslim community said, "We, the Muslim Tibetans, have done the Tibetan people proud in fulfilling our responsibility to the cause of Islam, and I request all our Buddhist brothers and sister to treat your Buddhist spiritual duties serious."

Chairing the session on religious and cultural matters, Rev. Kirti Rinpoche, Minister of the Department of Religion and Culture, announced his resignation from the Tibetan government and said, "This is my last day as a minister. I will be an ordinary citizen from today."

US Congressman Jim McDermott from Seattle was a guest at the conference. He assured the Tibetan people of the US support for the cause of free Tibet. Expressing his wish to attend such a conference in the future, he said, "I hope it will be in Lhasa and not in Dharamsala."

His Holiness the Dalai Lama addressed the confererence over an hour and encouraged the people's representatives to freely point out the mistakes of the Administration.

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Last updated: 31-Mar-99