The Tibet Post International-Newspaper

Arunachal CM

Tibet Youth’s

Dorjee Khando

Indefinite

Passes Way..

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Vol. 01, Issue 41, 15 May 2011 US Again Criticizes China

I n t e r n a t i o n a l

Hunger strike..

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B o d - K y i - Cha- Trin

Bi-Monthly

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His Holiness the Dalai Lama Receives Amnesty Award

By Cornelius Lundsgaard, The Tibet Post

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announces the release of the 2010 International Religious Freedom Report November 17, 2010 at the State Departement in Washington, DC. Photo: Reuters

By Cornelius Lundsgaard, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: - As the United States opened a two-day annual talk with China on May 9, Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton both voiced their concerns over the human rights situation in China.

Continues on Page 7....

TWA Fights for Tibet Justice

Tibet's exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama receives the Amnesty International's Shine a Light Award from Joselyn Reyes, (L) from Amnesty's Roosevelt High School student group in Los Angeles, with Larry Cox, (C) executive director of Amnesty International USA at the Carpenter Performing Arts Theatre of the Long Beach State University, California May 4, 2011. Photo: Reuters

By Adam Sirrah, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: - The Tibetan Women’s Association (TWA) is taking proactive and comprehensive measures to solicit outside support in the battle to resolve the unrest at Tibet’s Kirti Monastery. They stress the importance of ending the repression immediately and peacefully.

With over 15,000 members spread across eleven countries in four continents, the TWA is well positioned to spread this urgent message and bring the conspicuously quiet international community into the folds of the area’s escalating violence.

Rs.5

Dharamshala: - On May 4, His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, received the inaugural edition of a "Shine a Light on Human Rights" award from the renowned human rights organisation Amnesty International in Long Beach, California. According to the website www.boingboing.net, His Holiness accepted the reward saying "I am just a single monk; no more, no less," later adding for the Amnesty volunteers and human rights advocates assembled, "Your work is good. Please continue."

Amnesty International's U.S. executive director Larry Cox, in an address before the handover of the award, said that the award honored the fact that he has "tirelessly and peacefully defended the rights of people everywhere" for over 50 years. Coinciding with the Dalai Lama receiving the first-of-its-kind award, this month also marks the 50th anniversary of the human rights organization's own founding.

"Individuals in some ways have more power than governments; the individuals, the artists, the activists who are compelled to change society--we must protect them", said His Holiness and added that "You must persist. If you believe that the goal of your work must materialize in your lifetime, it is wrong. It's still worthwhile, even if you never live to see it materialize."

Commenting on the ever decreasing freedom of information in Chinese society he said: "More

17th Karmapa Calls Upon China to Resolve the Kirti Monastery Issue

soldiers, more [surveillance] cameras, they build mistrust and fear. Harmony is based on trust... so this is totally the wrong method. Censorship should not be there; there should be free information, a free press, and then an independent judiciary and gradual government change can follow. That will develop trust and harmony within China, and with the outside world. A closed society with no transparency creates suspicion.

"The lifespan of a totalitarian regime is generally longer than that of an elected government," he continued. "But China belongs to the Chinese people, and not the government. 1.3 billion Chinese people have the right to know reality, and to judge what is right and what is wrong for themselves" he also said.

In another occasion of celebrating the spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama was bestowed with a honorary doctorate upon his arrival to the city of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The doctorate was given from the University of Minnesota where he is to give talks today and tomorrow. At the reception, the university thanked His Holiness for being an inspiration to all of them and conveyed their heartfelt gratitude for his presence.

Director May Jo Kereitzer said, "There is no one more appropriate for this honour than His Holiness the Dalai Lama, whose vision for peace and nonviolence has inspired thousands around the world."

Exhibition of History of Tibet

Kalon Kelsang Yangkyi Taklha opened a New Exhibition which shows the History of Independent Tibet, on 3rd May 2011, Dharamshala, India. during press brief, an organiser presenting a white scarf to the Kalon of DIIR. Photo: TPI

By Cornelius Lundsgaard, The Tibet Post

Continues on Page 6....

Troops Increased at India-Tibet Border

Dharamshala: On May 3rd, 'The Tibet Post International' was invited for the inauguration of a brand new exhibition at the Tibet Museum located See on Page 8....

Two Monks Sentenced to 3 Years

The so called PLA Soldiers patrolling along India-Tibet Border. Photo: FIle

By Cornelius Lundsgaard, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: The Chinese government, in case of a threat scenario with India, now has the capability of deploying more than half-a-million troops and sustaining them for over a month on the Indo-Tibetan border, also called the Line of Actual Control, according to the Indian Express.

Last month a presentation was given to PM Manmohan Singh by the Indian Army, disclosing the details of Chinese army capacities and the recent build-up of infrastructure in the so-called Tibet Autonomous Region.

As part of major infrastructure upgradation in Tibet and east Turkestan, China has plans to establish Continues on Page 5 ....

The 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Rinpoche in Dharamshala, India. Photo: TPI/File

By Gautam Ashok, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: - In a press release by the Karmapa's Office of Administration, His Holiness, the 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje, who is the head of the Karma Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism called for a peaceful resolution to the Kirti Monastery of Eastern Tibet standoff.

In a special prayer meeting on May 4th that was organized by twelve different organizations based in Dharamshala, he said he would join His Holiness the Dalai Lama and His Eminence Kyabche Kirti Rinpoche in their appeal to the Central Chinese Government and the international community to peacefully resolve the current crisis of Kirti Monastery in Ngaba region of eastern Tibet.

The Kirti monastery, which is located in the Ngaba region of eastern Tibet (Ch: Western China), has been tense following the self-immolation attempt and death of Ven Phuntsok, a 20-year-old monk from the monastery in mid-March. This act of protest was aimed to against the Chinese central government in Beijing and also to mark, the third anniversary of the Uprising in 2008. In the latest reports two monks were sentenced to jail for participating in the peaceful protests. Chinese security forces and police have continued to blockade the monastery.

Media reports state that the ongoing military siege Continues on Page 2.......

Late Phuntsok's Funeral at Kirti Monastery on 19 March, Ngaba county, eastern Tibet. Photo: TPI

By Sangay and Cornelius, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: - In a recent turn of events at the Kirti monastery in Ngaba County, two monks were, on May 2nd, sentenced to three years of imprisonment each. The monks are Lobsang Dhargye, 31, and Kunchok Tsultrim, 33, both from Continues on Page 5......

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TPI VIEWS & ANALYSIS United States and What Does the Future Hold for China Fighting Over Tibetan Democracy?

15 May, 2011 Dharamsala

The Tibet Post

Cyberspace

Article by Cornelius Lundsgaard, The Tibet Post

US-China War cyberspace. Photo: TPI/file

Dharamshala: As the worlds two leading nations these days are meeting for a friendly talk in the US, China and the US are at the same time stepping up their efforts to, respectively, harness and set free the unruly powers of the internet.

According to USA Today, last week, China established a new government agency which is to make sure that its more than 450 million "netizens" are adhering to the government imposed restrictions on internet-use. This comes after Chinese President Hu Jintao in February called for stricter government management of the Internet. The State Internet Information Office appears intended to help improve coordination among the dozen or more Chinese government ministries and agencies with an interest in the Internet, i.e. the sale of censorship software which could prove to be a lucrative source of income.

Quoting the New York Times, the mushrooming growth of China's Internet business has spawned a sort of land rush for regulatory turf by government agencies that see in it a chance to gain more authority or more money, or both.

The announcement to set up this new agency indicated that the office would work with other government units that regulate parts of the Internet, but the vague wording of the announcement leaves the inner workings of the newest addition to Chinese cyber-control unexposed.

A somewhat similar development is taking place in the US where, in February, a "Coordinator for Cyber Issues" was appointed to "bring together the many elements in the State Department working on cyber issues to more effectively advance U.S. cyber interests" according to a Department of State Press Statement on April 20. The Department will apparently invest $28 million in grant funding to help Internet activists around the world, with allocations for circumvention services, allowing users to evade internet firewalls, and training for human rights workers on how to secure their e-mail from surveillance.

Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton said "we believe that governments who have erected barriers to internet freedom, whether they're technical filters or censorship regimes or attacks on those who exercise their rights to expression and assembly online, will eventually find themselves boxed in."

Senior Defense Analyst Richard Weitz, on the website Second Line of Defense (sldinfo.com) argues that while the Department cooperates with other countries to fight transnational cybercrime and funds the building of cyber capabilities in foreign law enforcement agencies, "it can do little when these cyberattackers enjoy the support and sanctuary of foreign governments" he writes.

This may have been the case when the US-based activist website change.org found itself under attack by Chinese hackers after running a hugely successful petition for the release of famous Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei. The attack is being investigated by the FBI and has been condemned by the State Department has condemned.

On April 15, Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, who is Chairman of the Oversight and Investigation Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, held a public hearing on the subject of Chinese cyber-attacks on the US. On the day of the hearing, Reuters ran a story revealing that secret U.S. State Department cables are able to trace computer system attacks, to which Rohrabacher commented: "They have traced these to the Chinese military itself.

An April 2009 cable even pinpoints the attacks to a specific unit of the Chinese People's Liberation Army." He also said that "Chinese cyber attacks on U.S. assets now number in the thousands every year" and claimed that China by doing this had defined itself as "the enemy of the US".

By James Dunn, The Tibet Post

London: - Since it's formation in 1959 the Tibetan Government in Exile has been taking small aided steps towards a Westernised definition of democracy.

It has even taken some momentous steps such as the creation of the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission in the 1990's and the establishment of the Kalon Tripa role in the early 2000's however, these were all done under the supreme leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Now the Tibetan Government in Exile (TGiE) must take its first steps alone and when Lobsang Sangay is officially inaugurated as Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister) later this year accompanied with a new official charter relinquishing His Holiness of his political supremacy they will no longer have him to rely upon.

The governmental charter as it stands places the Dalai Lama at the pinnacle of political power, "His Holiness is head of the nation, and also head of administration, the executive. And whatever executive actions are implemented, all of these are done in the name of His Holiness." Many Tibetans living inside occupied Tibet and all over the world have been resistant to the retirement of His Holiness from political power, including those within the Tibetan Parliament whose role it is to further the democratic movement. Many have asked why now or why at all. His Holiness has been the leading voice in the change to a democratic rather than autocratic political system and the change now is to ensure that the change continues. In His Holiness' speech to the Tibetan Parliament the day following his announcement of political retirement echoes this sentiment, "if we are to implement such a system from this time onwards, I will still be able to help resolve problems is called upon to do so. But, if the implementation of such a system is delayed and a day comes when my leadership is suddenly unavailable, the consequent uncertainty might present an overwhelming challenge".

It is not only for the furthering of the Tibetan democratic movement that His Holiness has made such a monumental decision but also to shield the title of Dalai Lama from external manipulation.

Following his death even if China creates its own 15th Dalai Lama, Tibetans will have a democratically elected leader they can look to beyond

Dr. Lobsang Sangay, speaking during a panel discussion held in Dharamshala, India.

Photo: TPI/file...

the Chinese governmental control, who will be removed from Chinese religious manipulation. The handover of power could also stave off a possible crisis of leadership in the Tibetan in Exile community in the event of the Dalai Lama's death.

Additionally a clearly labelled political leader, separate from the religious aspects will ensure that world leaders can no longer avoid public political discussions about Tibet. Until now, with the Dalai Lama holding both political and religious leadership, world leaders have been able to meet with the Dalai Lama in his religious capacity, avoiding the political issues.

Now world leaders will come under increased pressure from Tibetans all around the world and the Tibet supporter community to meet with the elected Tibetan leader on a solely political basis.

It will be hard to create a clear split of the religious and political aspects of Tibetan life much like that of Western cultures specifically because religion still plays a ruling part in Tibetan life.

Mahatma Gandhi once said, "those who say religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion is" this sentiment rings true in the case of Tibetan politics because despite the Dalai Lama's retirement he will still be held in the highest esteem because of his religious leadership.

There are however, large obstacles Lobsang Sangay must overcome following his inauguration in August.

From talking to Tibetans in Dharamshala and around the world, Lobsang's main qualities that resulted in them voting for him were his age and his educational background rather

17th Karmapa Calls Upon China to .......... of Kirti Monastery has resulted in the arrest of over 300 monks including religiour leaders and writers, and the death of two elderly local residents due to police beatings. This has in effect raised fears that if the authorities did not abandon use of force, the situation may deteriorate into large scale violence that would the lives of lives of hundreds of unarmed and innocent Tibetans.

In an earlier press meet in New Delhi on May 2nd, the 17th Karmapa said that, "frequent peaceful protests carried out by the Tibetans are symptoms of a

broken and wounded people desperately crying out for the restoration of their cultural identity, religious and human rights." He also thanked the Indian Government of India for giving him refuge since his arrival from Tibet in January 2000.

"I am not a Chinese spy, agent or plant in India. Tibet is under Communist China's totalitarian regime and, unlike democratic India; there is no religious freedom there. Many Tibetans, including the illustrious heads of the different sects of Tibetan Buddhism had

to flee to India following the Cultural Revolution. India is my home now and I would never do anything against the interest of the country or her people," This statement comes after allegations of financial impropriety were placed againt the spiritual leader in early 2011.

Welcoming the clean chit given to Karmapa Ogyen Trinley by the Centre Indian government in foreign currency case, a representation of 18 Buddhist organizations of Sikkim, in February this year jointly welcomed the Centre's action, according some media reports.

than his political expertise. Tenzin, a 21-year-old monk originally from Lhasa spoke to me following the election, "We now have our own Barack Obama". This sentiment of hope has been banded around frequently by the younger generations (who he is highly popular with) but with little political experience it is yet to be seen what sort of a leader Lobsang will be.

Primarily his obstacle will be that he has been elected head of a government, which no country officially recognises and away from the spotlight of His Holiness he must assert the Tibetan Government's international importance.

However, this election is a highly significant step in a process of strengthening the political institute of Tibetans in Exile internationally, through the vast developments in democracy and the creation of a clear split in the secular and the religious.

Additionally the election of Lobsang Sangay, with his extensive knowledge of international law, democratic constitutionalism, conflict resolution and Chinese politics will add serious clout to Tibetan Government in Exile's international credibility.

His role will not only be Kalon Tripa but the face of the Tibet campaign following the death of His Holiness.

He is going to face the near impossible task of emanating the popularity of His Holiness worldwide, however, Lobsang does not usher in a complete change in the policies that His Holiness upheld. Policies such as the ‘Middle Way Approach', which accepts Tibet within the framework of the Constitution of the Chinese Government, but seeks out a strong and genuine right to self-government (autonomy) for all the Tibetan nationalities within China.

"I am assuming leadership responsibility against the backdrop of His Holiness' magnanimous decision to devolve political authority to elected leaders. In contrast to the Jasmine revolution where people are giving up their lives to secure democracy, His Holiness' gesture demonstrates his faith in the Tibetan people. His Holiness the Dalai Lama is my inspiration and I will seek to achieve the ambitious objectives he has set for us," Lobsang said in his acceptance message.

As the Tibetan people take a leap into the democratic darkness, one thing is certain, internationally Tibet will never be seen the same again.

TPI H.H THE DALAI LAMA

The Tibet Post

His Holiness Begins Talks on Public Secular Ethics, Human Values

His Holiness the Dalai Lama greeting the over 6,000 audience members at the University of Southern California's Board Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, USA, on May 3, 2011, where His Holiness participated in a panel discussion on "Secular Ethics: Origins, Elements and Their Function in Society". (Photo/Steve Cohn)

By Cornelius Lundsgaard, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: - On his current tour of the US, the Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama yesterday, May 3rd, gave a talk on "Secular Ethics, Human Values and Society" at the University of Southern California (USC).

Throughout the talk he wore the USC's baseball cap which, in a case of serendipity, matched the colours of his traditional monk's robes, as he touched on topics as diverse as the consciousness of animals, the strengths of India's multicultural society and the nature of happiness.

His Holiness recently announced his exit from politics, at least to the point that he is stepping down as the political leader of the Tibetan people. On this tour of the US it seems, therefore, that he has chosen to focus mostly on spiritual matters. He did, however, comment on the assassination of Osama Bin Laden in response to a question from the audience.

According to the L.A. Times, His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, said that, as a human being, Bin Laden may have deserved compassion and even

forgiveness. But, he said, "Forgiveness doesn't mean forget what happened. (...)

If something is serious and it is necessary to take counter-measures, you have to take counter-measures."

His statement has been the subject of analysis in the American media, some suggesting that the Dalai Lama is calling Bin Laden's death a justified one, while others indicate that he is merely trying to baffle people in a good-humoured attempt to provoke the individual's own critical sense.

And good-humoured he seemed, stating that "Today, I feel terrific" as a comment to his condition of a sore throat which delayed his departure from Japan to the US by 2 days. According to the Pasadena Star News, his happy demeanor was underlined when, answering the question from a student about whether it was best to work for a big corporation and make more money or to follow a passion for working for a non-profit, the Dalai Lama replied "You are your own master. Follow your heart, and if anyone asks about your decision, you can blame me!"

Today, May 4th, His Holiness will be receiving the Shine a Light?award from renowned human rights organisation Amnesty International in Long Beach.

Later in the day he will be giving a talk on Compassion and Global Leadership?at the University of California, Irvine, before moving to the next stop in his itinerary, the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota.

His Holiness Meets George W Bush, Talks on Democracy

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is greeted by President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush in Dallas, Texas, on 10 May 2011.

Photo/Layne Murdoch

By The Tibet Post International

Dallas, Texas, USA, 10 May 2011 - His Holiness the Dalai Lama began his day on 10 May with a meeting with former US Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues, Paula Dobriansky. Therefore, he left for the residence of President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush for a meeting with them. His Holiness spent around an hour with them. President Bush said he was honoured with His Holiness' coming. Later, speaking at a luncheon where President Bush was there, His Holiness said he had been waiting to meet President Bush again, calling him "my dear friend."

His Holiness went from the Bush residence to the Meadows Museum of Southern Methodist University, the

venue of an interview on democracy conducted by Ambassador Jim Glassman, who is the Executive Director of the George W. Bush Institute The interview will be broadcast on PBS (American public television) and also archived in the Bush Center's democracy collection. In the interview His Holiness dwelt on his overall view of democracy being universal and explained the historical development of the Tibetan democratic experience.

Thereafter, His Holiness attended a luncheon hosted by the George W. Bush Center and was greeted at the door

by President Bush. Ambassador Glassman in his welcome remarks announced that during the meeting with President Bush, His Holiness had presented a copy of the draft document, having His Holiness' editorial correction, which resulted in the Constitution of Future Tibet promulgated in 1963. He said that this document is the first contribution to The Freedom Collection at the George W. Bush Institute, which "presents the personal stories of struggle and achievement told by the men and women who led freedom movements from the last century through present day." Ambassador Glassman added that the document is being regarded as the founding document of the collection.

The document is the copy of the Tibetan manuscript, Principles of the Constitution of Future Tibet, which was the framework for the Draft Constitution of Future Tibet of 1963. The Bush Center is releasing a statement on this document and photos on its Facebook

page.

President Bush spoke next and recognised some individuals, including former senator Bill Frist. He said that he had been looking forward to today's meeting with His Holiness saying that during his presidency there have been extraordinary moments and some of these were his meetings with His Holiness. He said, "When you spend time with him, you realise that there is something unusual about him." The President called His Holiness "courageous but humble" and "a delight to be around." "When I think of the Dalai lama, I smile," he said. He said that His Holiness was courageous in the defense of liberty and understands that freedom means peace and he is a man of peace. Terming His Holiness' presence as a "priceless contribution" to the Bush Center and a "great gesture of friendship," the President invited him to the podium.

His Holiness began by saying that since their last meeting during the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony in 2007, he had been looking forward to meeting President Bush, whom he called "my dear friend." Revealing that President Bush had telephoned him soon after his gall bladder surgery, His Holiness said that he felt greatly touched by the gesture.

His Holiness said that he considered the President's support as being projustice and not pro-Tibet.

His Holiness said that irrespective of the status of people, whenever he met anyone he viewed that at the fundamental human level. Thus, from

15 May, 2011 Dharamsala

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His Holiness the Dalai Lama Saddened by Dorjee Khandu's Death

His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet. Photo: TPI/file

By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: - Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Saturday respectfully sent a message (letter) of sympathy and condolences to the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh over the death of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu in a recent helicopter accident.

In a message to (Retd) J. J. Singh - the Governor of Arunachal State, His Holiness the Dalai Lama expressed his sadness at learning of his friend Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu's death in a helicopter accident.

His Holiness recalled the fond welcome that Mr Dorjee Khandu had extended to him on his recent visit to Tawang.

His Holiness has also extended his condolences to Mr Khandu's family and

the first meeting with President Bush, His Holiness said that he found him "a wonderful person, a good person."

Terming President Bush' laudatory words about him as being "positive exaggeration," His Holiness said he was fundamentally just one of the six billion human beings working to contribute his share for the wellbeing of humanity.

Emphasising the importance of developing inner peace, His Holiness said that even President Bush would know from his experience that money and power alone did not bring about inner peace. He added that scientists have also found that a warm-hearted person enjoyed better health.

His Holiness said his approach at promoting these human values is not based on religious belief but developed out of common sense, common experience and through scientific evidence.

His Holiness said that at the secondary level, he was a Buddhist and in the course of his meetings with leaders of the different spiritual faith, he found that all religions had the potential of bringing inner peace. Therefore, there was the need for inter-religious harmony, he said, adding that whether one liked it or not, realistically we all have to live together.

Talking about Tibet, His Holiness explained that everyone knows that he had relinquished political responsibility. However, he said he was a Tibetan. From this perspective he asked the people to understand the impact of Tibet to the world. He specifically highlighted the issue of Tibet's ecology saying that Chinese scientists have termed the Tibetan plateau as the Third Pole to indicate its significance, equal to the north and the south poles. He said many of the rivers

the families of all those who died with him.

In May 2008, Chief Minister Dorjee Khando visited Dharamsala and extended formal invitation to His Holiness the Dalai Lama to inaugurate a multi-speciality hospital at Tawang.

During Dorjee Khandu's visit to Dharamshala, he used to bravely criticise China's treatment of Tibetans and its harsh policy on Tibet, at one time saying "we are unhappy over the present situation inside Tibet".

In 2009, His Holiness visited the 300year-old Tawang monastery, where various religious discourses are held for the Buddhist community in the state.

The visit coincided with 50 years having passed since his arrival in Tawang in 1959 after a failed uprising in Tibet against China.

of Asia originate in Tibet and that more than a billion people depend on the water from these rivers.

His Holiness said caring for Tibetan ecology had nothing to do with politics.

He commended former Chinese president Zhu Rongji for recognising the importance of Tibetan forests for the environment and limiting deforestation for national interest. His Holiness, however, said that dues to corruption, etc., environmental degradation, including indiscriminate mining continue to be taking place in Tibet.

His Holiness concluded by suggesting that the participants in the luncheon who may know of ecologists could think of forming teams, in full co-operation with Chinese government officials, to study the status of Tibetan environment and to find ways to protect it.

His Holiness then took some questions from the audience in a session that was moderated by Ambassador Paula Dobriansky. To a question on whether the Chinese Communist regime was sustainable and whether there would be a democratic China, His Holiness said that China would change although no one knew when it would be. He said the Chinese authorities seem to be nervous about their position and referred to the report that the internal security budget of China surpassed that of the external defense budget.

Asked what were his greatest lessons, His Holiness said that the loss of his country was one; being the longest guest of the Government of India was another; appreciating the freedom of speech was another. His Holiness also said he learnt that tragedy brings about more inner strength adding that the Continues on Page 9....

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15 May, 2011 Dharamsala

TPI INTERNATIONAL

The Tibet Post

Top Level Bilateral Talks French MPs' Tibet Group Raises Concern Over Repression in Ngaba on Tibet-Nepal Trade

By Tibetan government News Agency: Tibet Net

Vice minister of China's General Administration of Press and Publication arrives at Tribhuvan International Airport on a trip to Kathmandu on Wednesday, 11 May 2011. nepalnews.com/rh

By Cornelius Lundsgaard, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: A meeting in the so called Nepal-Tibet Trade Facilitation Committee (NTTFC), a top level forum for bilateral trade talks, has resulted in the formation of a working committee at the border point for trade barrier simplification, according to the Himalaya Times. The meeting took place in Kathmandu on May 9-10 and was led by joint secretary at the ministry Toya Narayan Gyawali while the visiting delegation was led by Ye Yinchuan, deputy secretary general of so called Government of Tibet Autonomous Region.

During the two-day meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the two parties for a Nepal-Tibet Trade Fair which is to take place from November 2-6, also in Kathmandu. Under-Secretary of Ministry of Commerce and Supplies Binod Acharya told the Himalaya Times that "As per the MoU, the trade fair will have around 50 stalls each from Nepal and

China".

During the two-day talks that concluded on Tuesday, Nepal had sought Chinese assistance to give leverage to its exports by ensuring transparency in customs, providing trade-related services and supporting development of trade-related infrastructures. "Representatives from Nepal and Tibet discussed the simplification of non-tariff barrier, encouragement to Chinese investment and increased Chinese technical assistance in Nepal" said Acharya.

Also on the drawing board was a branch of Chinese bank on the Nepal side of the border, a move that is thought to alleviate long standing trade problems related to payments. "The Chinese side has assured us that they are ready to open a branch of Chinese bank in Nepal. They have promised to take up matter with the central government," said Toya Narayan Gyawali, joint secretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies (MoCS).

UNPO Congratulates Newly Elected Tibetan Prime Minister

UNPO members' sitemap. Photo: UNPO

By Cornelius Lundsgaard, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: - The General Secretary of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) has on May 2nd issued a statement welcoming the election of Dr. Lobsang Sangay to the Tibetan Premiership and saying that "the UNPO wishes Dr. Sangay every success in the many challenges that will lie ahead and readily offers its support to help realize the goals and ambitions of the Tibetan people which he and the CTA represent."

During the election, the UNPO joined the International Network of

Parliamentarians on Tibet (INPaT) election observation mission that monitored the election process across the world. This participation "represented the latest in two decades of collaboration" as Tibet had a founding role when the UNPO was established in 1991.

The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) is an international, nonviolent, and democratic membership organisation.

Its members are indigenous peoples, minorities, and unrecognised or

Paris: Supporting His Holiness the Dalai Lama's appeal to the international community over the Chinese government's repression on Kirti monastery in Tibet, the Tibet Working Group in the French Parliament had lodged an urgent representation to the French foreign minister and the Chinese ambassador in Paris.

The Tibet Working Group had drew the attention of the two officials on the deteriorating situation borne out of military blockade of Kirti monastery, which left 2 Tibetans dead and over 300 monks detained.

In an appeal letter to foreign minister Mr Alan Juppe on 3 May, Tibet Working Group's president Lionnel Luca said, "Our country cannot remain indifferent to the situation of the monks of Kirti monastery and the Tibetan population of the area. I would, therefore, like to know the position of France on this situation."

Similarly, Mr Luca also sent a letter to Chinese Ambassador Kong Quan asking him about the condition of over 300 monks detained from the Kirti monastery.

The Tibet Working Group reaffirmed His Holiness the Dalai Lama's concern that the situation at Kirti monastery would become explosive if force is used in handling the crisis.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama also made

Tibetan Parliamentary delegation with Mr. Lionel Luca, President of the Tibet Support group in the Lower House of the French Parliament and Mr. Tashi Wangdi Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Brussels. Photo: File

an appeal on 15 April to express his concern over the prevailing situation in Kirti Monastery and requested the International community and the foreign governments to persuade the Chinese leadership to exercise restraint in handling the situation.

The Chinese government has sealed off Kirti Monastery by deploying armed security forces to crackdown on Tibetans and stopped the essential supplies to the monastery. The local Tibetans fearing the risk of massive detention of the monks are confronting the soldiers who are enforcing the

blockade of the monastery. In the subsequent crackdown, many Tibetans were severely beaten and arrested.

The death of Phuntsog, a 21-year-old monk from Kirti monastery who set himself on fire on 16 March this year to protest China's repression in 2008 led to the blockade of monastery by the Chinese authority.

The Tibetans gathered at the monastery, who were mostly elders, were severely beaten by the police as they attempted to resist the police from taking away 300 monks in 10 military trucks on the night of 21 April.

Arunachal CM's Dead, Sad News Confirmed as Chopper Found

By The Tibet Post International

Dharamshala: - The chief minister of India's Arunachal state Dorjee Khandu who also well-known and respected leader was presumed dead on Wednesday when search teams located the wreckage of his helicopter that went missing four days ago, but the other four bodies were mutilated and charred beyond recognition, officials said.

According to Indian news agencies, Indian soldiers trekked to the mountainous site in northeast India to identify bodies after the wreckage was spotted during a massive ground search. Indian officials today indicated the sad news that Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu and four others may not have survived the crash of the helicopter in which they were travelling on Saturday.

"The crash site has been located and some bodies have been sighted," Home Minister P. Chidambaram said in New Delhi. "It is not good news."

Dorjee Khandu, a member of the ruling Congress party, was appointed in 2007 as chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh.

The helicopter, which was carrying

occupied territories who have joined together to protect and promote their human and cultural rights, to preserve their environments, and to find nonviolent solutions to conflicts which affect them. Among its members are minorities like the Kurds of Iran and Iraq, the Hmong people of SE Asia and Taiwan.

Dorje Khando.photo: File

Khandu, two pilots and another passenger, lost contact with air traffic control in bad weather on Saturday morning soon after take-off. It was travelling from the Tawang region of Arunachal Pradesh near the Chinese border to the state capital Itanagar.

Searches by Indian Air Force helicopters had been hampered by continuing poor weather and special satellite images had also failed to find the wreckage.

Thousands of soldiers, police and paramilitary troopers conducted searches through the difficult terrain under the helicopter's planned route, while neighbouring Bhutan has also sent out patrols. The AS350 B-3 singleengine helicopter disappeared after another crashed in Tawang on April 19, killing 17 people and injuring six.

Both aircraft were operated by Pawan Hans, a service which provides one of

the major air links across the isolated northeastern region of India.

Dorjee Khandu was in the Indian Army Intelligence Corps and worked there for more than seven years. He received a gold medal for the meritorious intelligence services rendered during Bangladesh War. Later, he was engaged in social activities for village people of Tawang District and looked after their welfare up till 1980. In 1980, he was selected uncontested as the First ASM and worked in same capacity till 1983. In March 1990, he was elected uncontested to the First Legislative Assembly of the State of Arunachal Pradesh from ThingbuMukto constituency. In March 1995, he was re-elected to Second Legislative Assembly of the State of Arunachal Pradesh from the same constituency.

He became the Minister of State for Cooperation from 21 March 1995.

TPI TIBET

The Tibet Post

15 May, 2011 Dharamsala

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Tibetan Books Banned Two Monks Sentenced up to 3 Years in Prison in Eastern Tibet in Chinese Raid at Ngaba Schools

By Tibetan government News Agency: Tibet Net

Late Buddhist monk, Phuntsog's funeral outside Kirti Monastery on 19 March, Photographs of police build up after Phuntsog's self-immolation and photos of his funeral. Photo: TPI

By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: - Around April 22, the students' textbooks and other reading matter were raid by Chinese authorities, and any books not endorsed by the government were confiscated and burned, according to a latest Tibet report. Students were warned that they are not allowed to possess any book without an official stamp of approval. The many students who come from Ngaba county were told that they may not return to their homes for an indefinite period, and would not be allowed to return there during the summer vacation.

A latest report received by The Tibet Post International, it will be remembered that students of the Ngaba prefecture upper middle school (in Barkham) went on hunger strike from March 17 in sympathy with the suicide of Kirti monk Phuntsok and the situation of the Ngaba people, and in emphatic protest against the state's singular resort to deployment of police and armed troops to deal with the situation in Ngaba county, and the arrests and suppression of the population there.

China Claims "Harmonious", Monks Say "Threatened" another 70.000 km of black-top roads, to extend the Qinghai-Tibet Railway from Golmund to Lhasa and thereon to Shigatse (close to Sikkim), to construct railways connecting Kathmandu, Myanmar, Bhutan, Pakistan and Central Asian republics as well as plans to build 11 new rail lines in Tibet and Xinjiang, which will ensure rapid deployment of troops or so called PLA. Also included in the report was information that there are eight airfields in Tibet, including five operational ones; 18 air bases in Tibet and east Turkestan have the capability to put India under range of Sukhoi 27 aircraft.

The students were then forcibly confined, had their mobile phones confiscated and internet access cut, and were forbidden from making outside contact.

According to Ven Kanyak Tsering, one of the media coordinators of Dharamshala based Kirti monastery, on April 12, two of the elderly people who tried to oppose the soldiers at Kirti monastery were killed, and a group of younger people were detained. This group was taken to a detention centre where they were subjected to beatings and mistreatment. The other older people in that group were taken to a compound next to the Ngaba river where they are being put through a daily program of reeducation.

On May 8th it was learned that Chogyam of the Chogyam Tsang house, age about 33, in the Chukle Gongma pastoral area of Ngaba disappeared around April 15. His mother's name is Manay. On about May3, personnel from the provincial State Security bureau in Chengdu and police came to search his mother's house, and his own house up in the pastoral area. At that time it became clear that he is being held in detention in Chengdu. He left behind his wife and one year old child.

There are many similar cases of disappeared people who have been missing for very long periods, apparently being held by State Security and Public Security, about whom no information whatsoever can be found as to their whereabouts or circumstances. When the Kirti monk author Go Sherab was detained, for example, nothing more was known about him until he was eventually released. (Go Sherab was released in Chengdu on May 5. he is not permitted to return to Ngaba. The exact date of his detention is not known).

Since April 18, older women (aged 5060) with citizenship cards have been allowed to come and go from the monastery (e.g., to visit relatives), but on May 6 it was announced that visits would not be allowed more than once a week. Soldiers and police have been posted at the entrance to each monastic dormitory, and control tightened.

Dharamshala: - Two Tibetan monks have been sentenced to imprisonment for protesting against the seizure of their monastery's land by the Chinese government in Jomda region in Chamdo in eastern Tibet's Kham Province, a human rights organisation based in Dharamsala said.

A local Chinese court has sentenced the two monks, Trulku Jangchub and Pesang from Jophu Monastery, to three years and two and half years in prison respectively in March this year, the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) said in a press release on 2 May. Trulku Jangchub, 25, was arrested for his role in leading a protest against the Chinese authorities for taking Jophu monastery's compound under their control on the pretext of developing the area in December 2009. During the protest, the monks and the local people demanded that the place belonged to the monastery and it should remain with it, TCHRD said quoting a source.

Pesang, who was arrested in January 2011 and held in detention in Jomda, would be soon transferred to Powo Tramo Prison, the source said.

Trulku Jangchub is currently in hospital as he was tortured in the prison.

Since 10 March 2008, Tibetans living across Tibet held peaceful protests against the People's Republic of China's oppression in Tibet. The Tibetans made unprecedented calls for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet and fundamental human rights for Tibetans living inside Tibet.

Armed Chinese paramilitary police stand guard along the street at the old Tibetan quarter in Lhasa, Tibet June 28, 2010. China can maintain its grip on Tibet "forever", a senior official said on Tuesday, but conceded that a heavy security presence was still needed to ensure order in Lhasa two years after deadly riots. Picture taken June 28, 2010. Photo: Reuters

The brutal crackdown by the Chinese government that ensued left an

estimated 227 Tibetans dead, over 6810 arrested and 510 sentenced.

"The deaths were caused due to indiscriminate firing by the PRC forces during the demonstrations; severe beatings and torture of detainees during arrest, interrogation and detention; and a built-up of insurmountable repression and suppression that drove some Tibetans to commit suicide," noted a comprehensive report on the 2008 uprising in Tibet published last year by the UN, EU and Human Rights Desk of the CTA's Department of Information & International Relations. (2008 Uprising In Tibet: Chronology And Analysis) "A total of seven Tibetans have been sentenced to death, out of which two with immediate death sentence were subsequently executed and five are currently facing suspended death sentence or death sentence with a twoyear reprieve. Lobsang Gyaltsen and Loyak, both 25-year-old, were executed on 20 October 2009. The other five facing suspended death sentences are Tenzin Phuntsok, 27; Kangtsuk, 22; Penkyi, 21; Pema Yeshi, 28; and 23-yearold Sonam Tsering. The judicial process was devoid of fair trial and independent legal representation," the report said.

A Man Arrested in Eastern Tibet for Freedom Slogans

By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: - Lobsang Palden, a local Tibetan official of Thangjuk township, Dege Dzakhog county, eastern Tibet ( Ch: Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan), has been arrested after he drawing slogans calling for freedom in Tibet and long life His Holiness the Dalai lama.

According to reliable information received by the The Tibet Post International (TPI), Lobsang, Thangjuk township leader was immediately arrested on May 1st 2011 after drawing slogans on a plywood with his signature, near his home in Thangjuk township, Dege Dzakhog county.

Several other similar slogans such as "Free Tibet" and "long life His Holiness the Dalai Lama" found after the armed Chinese police raiding his house.

The source said, Lobsang was arrested for allegedly painting separatist slogans for free Tibet and circulating pro-

independence posters. He was leading a Buddhist stupa construction in Thangjuk township. After being arrested by the Chinese police, there is no word yet whether his family was informed about his arrest.

Gyapon Lobsang Palden, 34 a Tibetan and leader of the Thangjuk township, Dege Dzakhog county, eastern Tibet.In last month, Chinese authorities reportedly announced that they were looking for 3 young Tibetans who have gone into hiding after staging a protest.

The Chinese authorities have detained and fined family members of the 3 men who are on the run after putting up posters and leaflets calling for independence.

Since 2008 protests in this Himalayan region, over 28 monks and lay people from the Dzakhog Gonsar monastery were arrested after they staging peaceful protest to against repressive rule of the Chinese government. 9 people were still

Gyapon Lobsang Palden, a local Tibetan official of Thangjuk Township of Dege Dzakhog county eastern Tibet.

Photo: TPI/file

missing, one monk died and 5 monks among 7 who after being released from Chinese prison reportedly suffer from serious health conditions.

Two Monks of Kirti Monastery Sentenced to 3 Years Each the province of Amdho. The two monks were both sentenced by the so-called People's Court of Ngaba county and transported away to serve their time in undisclosed locations.

Lobsang Dhargye, who bears his father's first name, became a monk at Kirti monastery as a child. In 2000 he joined the Lhasa monastery of Dirpung to study Buddhist philosophy there. However, in 2008 he was captured on camera participating in a demonstration staged by monks from Dirpung monastery against the Chinese government. His participation in the protest landed him 5 months behind bars in different detention centres, after which he was sent back to his native Ngaba province and told to stay in the area until further notice, less he obtained permission to leave the county. On April 11 this year,

military police forces came to his dormitory and arrested him without prior notice.

Kunchok Tsultrim, born to father Lotsul and mother Sonam Dolma, is also a monk of Kirti monastery and furthermore he was serving as the treasurer of the monastery up until his arrest on March 16. The charges on which he was incarcerated are unknown at this time of publishing.

On May 5, the Chinese police and military forces occupying the Kirti monastery put an end to a month-long strike on the part of the monks. The strike was begun on April 2 and entailed the monk's absence from the so-called reeducation classes held by Chinese communist agents, but it was called off when the Chinese authorities stated that if the monks did not attend and complete

a 3 month re-education program, the period of re-education might be prolonged up to a year, adding that they "would not give up" on schooling the monks in the ways of communism.

Presently, Kirti monastery is still occupied by plain clothed military and police personnel, but in the surrounding areas, uniformed forces have been seen hiding in the hills and spying on the local inhabitants. Similarly, all of the dormitories in Kirti monastery have been equipped with surveillance cameras and microphones, leaving the monks constantly supervised.

The newest addition to Kirti monastery, a cluster of dormitory-rooms in the eastern part of the compound, have been entirely taken over by Chinese authorities and now serve as the quarters for military and police officers.

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15 May, 2011 Dharamsala

TPI TIBET IN EXILE

Tibet Youth's Indefinite Hunger Strike Enters 12th Day

Tibetan Community Mourns Passing Away of Arunachal CM

By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

This fast is participated by three executive members of Tibetan Youth Congress - Dhondup Lhadar (Vice President -Center), Tenzin Norsang (Joint Secretary-left) and Konchok Yangphel (Finance Secretary-right). Photo: TYC

By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: - Three executive member of Tibetan Youth Congress are entering the 12th day of a hunger strike today (Friday 06th May) in New Delhi to protest the ongoing lock-down of Kirti Monastery and brutal crackdown on people of Ngaba, Tibet including peaceful Buddhist monks. The Indefinite Hunger Strike started on 25 April at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.

Two Tibetan have reportedly killed in a clash with Chinese police during a raid on Kirti monastery where recently tensions have run high over the 20 yearold monk Phuntsok of Kirti Monastery in Ngaba County committed a selfless non-violent act of self immolation for the cause of Tibet.

According to TYC, in Jantar Mantar, at the site of TYC Indefinite hunger strike, the physical condition of the three hunger strikers shows a clear sign of deterioration. It has been ten days sign they last ate anything solid. Living only on water in this heat is daunting yet they remain resolute and determined in their endeavour.

Tsewang Rigzin, President of the Tibetan

Youth Congress said at the start of the hunger strike that, "the continuing siege of Kirti Monastery, kidnapping of over 300 monks and killing of three elderly Tibetan by Chinese army recently is clear violation of human rights of the Tibetan people urged the international community to support the Tibetan people". He further added, "the critical situation in Ngaba, Tibet needs to addressed by the UN and also in the China-US annual human rights meeting this week" This fast is participated by three executive members of TYC - Mr. Dhondup Lhadar (Vice President), Mr. Tenzin Norsang (Joint Secretary) and Mr. Konchok Yangphel (Finance Secretary).

"In the meantime, the President Tsewang Rigzin and the General Secretary Tenzin Chokey visited the US Embassy to meet with Sameer Sheth Chief of Global Issues unit. The meeting lasted almost an hour and a half. Although Mr Sheth appeared to be well informed and had read extensively on the situation in Kirti as well as the general state of affairs of the Tibetan people", said a latest TYC report.

Tibetan Women’s Group Fights for Justice On Tuesday TWA’s president and vicepresident met with the Governor of China’s Sichuan Province in New Delhi and presented him with a petition called “Appealing for Immediate Legal Protection for Tibetans inside Tibet facing Persecution”.

This unprecedented meeting of a Chinese official and Tibetan NGO resulted in an assurance that the governor “Will look into the matter.”

This appeal followed Monday’s launch of the Global Petitioning and Lobbying Week, an initiative aimed at using the organization’s 57 international chapters to elicit the intervention of international arbitrators. It implores organizations, governmental and public, to help with the following: immediate legal intervention and prevention of the brutal treatment of Tibetans in Ngaba Region; pressure the Chinese Government to loosen press restrictions inside Tibet and allow foreign media to enter the region; allow religious freedom; halt oppression and other travesties currently occurring in Tibet.

The organization’s actions come in the wake of two more violent deaths. Sixtyyear-old Dongko and 65-year-old Sherkyi were reportedly beaten to death

last week during their attempts to dissuade the Chinese Police from detaining another three hundred monks.

Claims from eyewitnesses at the scene provided the following account: "People had their arms and legs broken, one old woman had her leg broken in three places, and cloth was stuffed in their mouths to stifle their screams."

According to the TWA the recent inundation of armed Chinese forces in Tibet’s ethnic areas has created an environment ripe for social turmoil.

They warn that “The threat of force and violence [looms] large and the absence of international intervention and lack of adequate legal protection and free media coverage will only exacerbate the situation.”

The organization reminds the public of what happened in 2008 on the eve of the Beijing Olympics and the public outcry that followed. The current situation, urges the organization, can be stopped before it reaches such a tragic outcome. But help is needed.

The TWA will continue their campaign by meeting with members of the Indian Parliament and the High Commissioners of 125 countries in Delhi to lobby for their support.

The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: - Kalon Tripa (Chairman) of the Central Tibetan Administration, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche on Friday sent a message (letter) of sympathy and condolences to the chief secretary of Arunachal Pradesh over the death of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu in a recent helicopter accident.

According to the official media 'Tibet Net', the 'Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) has mourned the sad demise of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu, who perished in a recent helicopter crash.'

"My colleagues in the Kashag join me in mourning the tragic demise of Mr Dorjee Khandu, the Honourable Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh. We offer our deepest condolence to all the late chief minister's family members," Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche said in a condolence message sent to the state chief secretary.

"Mr. Dorjee Khandu's tragic death is a huge loss for not only the people of Arunachal Pradesh but also for the people of India. During his tenure as the chief minister, Mr Dorjee Khandu brought immense development to Arunachal Pradesh and vastly improved the quality of life enjoyed by the people of the state.

"We Tibetans will particularly remain grateful to the late chief minister Dorjee Khandu for contributing to improving the

lives of the Tibetan refugees in the state and ushering harmony between the Tibetan refugees and the people of Arunachal Pradesh.

"In the tragic death of Mr. Dorjee Khandu, the people of Arunachal Pradesh lost an outstanding Chief Minister and for

Samdhong Rinpoche in Dharamsala, the chief minister expressed solidarity with the people of Tibet and the Tibetan Central Tibetan Administration. The Kashag hosted a luncheon reception in honour of the chief minister's visit to Dharamsala.

Kalon Tripa (Chairman) of the Central Tibetan Administration, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche.

Photo: TPI/file

Tibetans, a dear friend," Kalon Tripa said in the condolence message.

In May 2008, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khando personally visited Dharamsala and extended formal invitation to His Holiness the Dalai Lama to inaugurate a multi-speciality hospital at Tawang.

During his meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Kalon Tripa Prof

At the invitation of chief minister Dorjee Khandu, His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited Tawang, Dirang and Bombila in Arunachal Pradesh from 8 - 15 November 2009.

The chief minister is also one of the sponsors for the 32nd Kalachakra teachings by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to be held in Sarnath from 1 - 10 January 2012.

Tibetan Community Mourns Passing Away of Arunachal CM

By Tibetan government News Agency: Tibet Net

Dharamshala: - A battery of top dignitaries, including Kalon Tripa, Speaker of Tibetan Parliament, Dr Kuldeep Agnihotri, Kasur Tenzin Geyche Tethong, Mr Ajay Singh Mantia, President of Indo-Tibetan Friendship Association and others graced the occasion.

The Tibetan Centre for Conflict Resolution (TCCR) today celebrated the completion of ten years of its service towards promoting understanding and non-violent means of resolving conflicts in society. It was founded on 6 May 2001.

The director of TCCR, Karma Lekshey, briefed the gathering about the activities of the organisation in fostering non-violent methods to resolve conflicts in the Tibetan settlements. "We impart skills of conflict resolution by organising extensive trainings on inter-cultural interactions and the friendly relations between the Indian and Tibetan communities", he said.

Mr Lekshey said, "The TCCR has organised around 200 activities to reach over 5,500 Tibetans in India, ranging from youth in the settlements in south and newly arrived refugees from Tibet".

Describing the 21st century as the century of dialogue, Kalon Tripa Prof.

Samdong Rinpoche underlined the importance of dialogue to achieve reconciliation.

Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche addressing the 10th founding anniversary of Tibetan Centre for Conflict Resolution in Dharamsala, India, on 6 May 2011. Photo: TPI

Kalon Tripa highlights a quote from His Holiness the Dalai Lama's speech that conflicts are created by human mind, and the means for its solution should also come from human intelligence.

Kalon Tripa also stressed the significance of the combination of Buddhist philosophy and western modern conflict resolution as an ideal approach towards conflict resolution.

"If the source of conflict is settled on the basis of mutual understanding by using knowledge and wisdom is a good way of resolving conflict," said Kalon Tripa quoting verses from Buddha's philosophy.

Speaker Penpa Tsering also shared his views on activities of TCCR as more of conflict prevention than conflict

resolution. He rephrased the importance of searching for reality and accepting it than betting on wining and losing which will only result in further conflict and chaos in society.

Speaking on the occasion, Kasur Tenzin Geche Tethong also expressed his deep appreciation for the sincere and consistent work of TCCR. He said: "I thought TCCR will somehow fall short at the initial stage but I am very proud to be a part of this celebration and I admire the success of TCCR on this special occasion."

Congratulating the remarkable service of TCCR, Dr Kuldeep Agnihotri emphasised the role of NGOs in a democratic society to enhance effective means of resolving conflicts.

TPI FREEDOM OF PRESS

The Tibet Post

38 Heads of State and Warlords Sow Terror Among Journalists

Paris: - The list of Predators of Press Freedom, released each year on 3 May, World Press Freedom Day, has 38 names this year according to the Paris based Reporters Without Borders. Photo: RSF

By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

Paris: - The list of Predators of Press Freedom, released each year on 3 May, World Press Freedom Day, has 38 names this year - 38 politicians, government officials, religious leaders, militias and criminal organisations that cannot stand the press, treat it as an enemy and directly attack journalists. They are powerful, dangerous, violent and above the law.

Middle East: predators of press freedom start to topple The kingpins of repressive machinery, political leaders of regimes hostile to civil liberties and direct organizers of campaigns of violence against journalists - they are the predators of press freedom. They prey on the media.

See all the predators (http://en.rsf.org/ predators,21.html) There are 38 predators this year. Pride of place goes to North Africa and the Middle East, where dramatic and sometimes tragic events have taken place in recent months. It is the Arab world that has seen the most important changes in the 2011 Predators list.

Heads have fallen. The first to go was Tunisia's President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, who was forced to step down on 14 January, thereby giving his people the chance to explore the entire range of democratic possibilities.

Other predators such as Yemen's Ali Abdallah Saleh, who has been overwhelmed by the wave of protests sweeping his country, or Syria's Bashar al-Assad, who is responding with terror to his people's democratic aspirations, could also fall. And what of Muammar Gaddafi, the Guide of the Revolution, now the guide of violence against his people, a violence that is deaf to reason? And Bahrain's King Ben Aissa Al-Khalifa, who should one day have to answer for the deaths of four activists in detention, including the only opposition newspaper's founder, and the vast repressive operation against pro-democracy protesters?

Freedom of expression has been one of the first demands of the region's peoples, one of the first concessions from transitional regimes, and one of the first achievements, albeit a very fragile one, of its revolutions.

Attempts to manipulate foreign reporters, arbitrary arrests and detention, deportation, denial of access, intimidation and threats - the list of abuses against the media during the Arab Spring is staggering. Those determined to obstruct the media did not stop at murder in four countries -

Syria, Libya, Bahrain and Yemen. The fatalities included Mohamed AlNabous, shot by snipers on the government's payroll in the Libyan city of Benghazi on 19 March, and two journalists directly targeted by the security forces in Yemen on 18 March.

There have been more than 30 cases of arbitrary detention in Libya and a similar number of foreign correspondents have been deported. Similar methods have been used in Syria, Bahrain and Yemen, where the authorities make every possible effort to keep the media at a distance so that they cannot broadcast video footage of the repression.

The media have rarely played such as key role in conflicts. These oppressive regimes, already traditionally hostile to media freedom, have treated control of news and information as one of the keys to their survival.

Journalist have been direct targeted by the authorities or caught in the crossfire of the violence between activists and security forces, reminding us of the risks they take to perform their essential job of reporting the news.

The need to be at the reporting front line, and often the front line of the violence, has taken a heavy toll on photojournalists since the start of the year. Reporters Without Borders pays tribute to the Franco-German photographer Lucas Melbrouk Dolega, who was hit by a police teargas grenade in Tunis on 17 January and died three days later, and to Tim Hetherington, a British photographer working for Vanity Fair, and Chris Hondros, an American photographer working for Getty Images, who were killed by a mortar shell in the Libyan city of Misrata on 20 April.

Rest of the world In Asia, some leaders have been replaced by others without any change to the repressive systems they control.

Thein Sein has replaced Than Shwe at the head of the regime in Burma (where 14 journalists are in prison). The Communist Party chose Nguyen Phu Trong to succeed Nong Duc Manh in Vietnam (where 18 netizens are currently jailed). In both countries, one predator has taken over from another.

They are the figureheads of regimes that use imprisonment as a way to censor and allow no hope of a political opening. One-party system attitudes, clan interests and a national unity ideology characterize these impenetrable dictatorships, now jittery

about the pro-democracy movements sweeping the world.

The shockwaves from the Arab Spring have affected the policies pursued by China's predator, President Hu Jintao, and Azerbaijan's predator, President Ilham Aliyev. They fear that this is a virus that could spread. More than 30 dissidents, lawyers and human rights activists are being held incommunicado in China. There is no way of finding out what has happened to them. One of the latest victims is the internationally famous artist Ai Wei Wei. No one knows where he is being held. The Azerbaijani authorities have adopted various tactics with the opposition and media in response to attempts to hold Arab-style demonstrations in Baku. Facebook activists have been jailed. Reporters for the opposition newspaper Azadlig have been kidnapped and threatened.

Journalists trying to cover the protests have been arrested and beaten. The Internet has been blocked.

Other predators remain tragically true to themselves. Issaias Afeworki in Eritrea, Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov in Turkmenistan and Kim Jong-il in North Korea head the world's worst totalitarian regimes.

Their cruelty is staggering. Their extreme centralization of authority, their purges and their ubiquitous propaganda leave no space for any freedom.

Iran's predators - Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, reelected as the Islamic Republic's president in June 2009, and Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader are the architects of a relentless crackdown marked by Stalinist-style trials of opposition politicians, journalists and human rights activists.

More than 200 journalists and bloggers have been arrested since June 2009, 40 are still held and around 100 have had to flee the country. An estimated 3,000 journalists are currently out of work because their newspapers have been

15 May, 2011 Dharamsala

closed down or have been banned from rehiring them. Reporters Without Borders calls for a special human rights rapporteur to be sent to Iran as a matter of urgency, in line with the resolution adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Council on 24 March.

The other side of the Atlantic has seen an unusual addition to the list of Predators of Press Freedom - the militias of Honduran businessman landowner Miguel FacussĂŠ Barjum, which have had their hands free to harass opposition media since the June 2009 coup d'ĂŠtat - especially the small and often modest community radio stations that wage a David-and-Goliath battle against big business and political interests.

Pakistan and Cote d'Ivoire - two of the priorities for the coming year Reporters Without Borders plans to continue working on the issue of organized crime's violations of media freedom. The initial report on this subject, issued in March 2011, will be developed, especially with a view to the visit that United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay is due to make in the coming months to Mexico, where seven journalists were killed in 2010.

Violence is also the major problem in Pakistan, where 14 journalists have been killed in a little more than a year.

It continues to be one of the world's most dangerous countries for the media. Media organizations in the most hazardous regions must reinforce mechanisms for protecting their journalists, who are too often exposed to danger.

In Mexico and Pakistan, as in the Philippines, protection of the media is handicapped by impunity. The negligence of local officials, the insolent freedom with which criminal gangs operate and corruption all conspire to ensure that investigations into violence against journalists rarely lead to arrests. Media freedom cannot progress if impunity is not combated effectively.

As regards the Internet, the priority for Reporters Without Borders will be to defend net neutrality, which is being

7

threatened by proposed legislation in several countries. The organization is concerned about the growing pressure - varying in intensity according to the nature of the regime - on Internet sector companies, especially Internet service providers, to assume the role of Internet regulator.

A big news story in recent months, CĂ´te d'Ivoire continues to be a priority for Reporters Without Borders and has been even since it monitored the media during the two-round presidential election in October and November. From the attacks on journalists who support Alassane Ouattara to the recent threat of a witch-hunt against Laurent Gbagbo's supporters after Ouattara took office in early April, Reporters Without Borders has followed the crisis closely and will continue to monitor developments.

In Turkey (which received a Reporters Without Borders country visit in April), the problem is not just repressive laws, especially the counter-terrorism and state security laws, but also and above all abusive practices by the courts and judges due to their lack of knowledge of investigative journalism. The latest example is the jailing of Ahmet Sik and Nedim Sener, two journalists who are well known for their investigative coverage of the Ergenekon conspiracy case and the functioning of the Turkish police and judicial systems.

In northern Iraq's autonomous region of Kurdistan, the security forces of the two parties that control the government have responded with violence to a recent wave of street demonstrations and journalists have been among the first to suffer.

More and more journalists and netizens are being prosecuted in Vietnam, where the Communist Party follows its Chinese big brother's model as regards governance and repression. Reporters Without Borders continues to closely monitor China and Iran, two countries that devour their journalists.

The international community's silence on many countries such as Azerbaijan, Vietnam, Eritrea and the central Asian dictatorships (especially Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) is more than culpable

US Criticizes China Again for Poor Human Rights Record "We worry about the impact on our domestic politics and on the politics and stability in China and the region. We see reports of people, including public interest lawyers, writers, artists and others who are detained or disappeared" said Clinton and added, "we know over the long arc of history that societies that work toward respecting human rights are going to be more prosperous, stable and successful." "That has certainly been proven time and time again, but most particularly in the last months" she said in a reference to the calls for more freedom and democracy which have erupted across the Middle East and which are believed by many analysts to be the main reason behind China's recent crackdown on its dissidents including prominent artist and activist Ai Weiwei.

Clinton also said that "fears and misperceptions linger on both sides of the Pacific." "I will be very open about that," she said. "Some in our country see China's progress as a threat to the United States; some in China worry that America seeks to constrain China's

growth. We reject both of those views.

We both have much more to gain from cooperation than from conflict. The fact is that a thriving United States is good for China and a thriving China is good for America."

Similarly, Vice President Biden spoke in a conciliatory tone but nevertheless touched on disagreements. "We've noted our concerns about the recent crackdown in China, including attacks, arrests and the disappearance of journalists, lawyers, bloggers and artists. And again, no relationship that's real can be built on a false foundation. Where we disagree, it's important to state it. We'll continue to express our views in these issues, as we did in the Human Rights Dialogue in Beijing two weeks ago."

Biden also said that "President Obama and I believe strongly, as does the Secretary, that protecting fundamental rights and freedoms such as those enshrined in China's international commitments, as well as in China's own constitution, is the best way to promote long-term stability and prosperity of any society."

This week's talks are the result of an agreement in 2009 between President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao. More than a dozen U.S. agency heads will meet with their Chinese counterparts, including Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, and Labor Secretary Hilda Solis.

As the officials spoke, about two dozen protesters highlighted another Chinese human rights issue as they chanted "Shame on China!" and held signs outside the building that read "China -- Stop Military Crackdown in Ngaba, Tibet!" Less than a month ago, on April 14, US State Department spokesman Mark Toner brought this particular issue to the public eye as he expressed White House concerns with the development in the Tibetan region.

"We have seen that Chinese security forces have cordoned off the Kirti monastery" he said then and added that "we believe these are inconsistent with internationally recognized principles of religious freedom and human rights."

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15 May, 2011 Dharamsala

TPI TIBET IN EXILE

The Tibet Post

5-Day Lectures And Exhibition Exiled Tibetan Community Congratulates On Tibetan Culture Heritage Dr. Lobsang Sangay

By Cornelius Lundsgaard, The Tibet Post

The Dzogchen Forum was held at Congress-Exhibition Center in Moscow from 26 to 30 April 2011. It was organised by International Dzogchen Community, under the spiritual leadership of Choegyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche. Photo: TPI/file

By Tibetan government News Agency: Tibet Net

Moscow: - The Dzogchen Forum was held at Congress-Exhibition Center in Moscow from 26 to 30 April 2011. It was organised by International Dzogchen Community, under the spiritual leadership of Choegyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche, and was participated by over 20 cultural and spiritual organisations, including Moscow-based Save Tibet Foundation, which works for the preservation and promotion of Tibetan cultural and spiritual heritage. A series of lectures, seminars, presentations and exhibitions on Tibetan cultural and religious affairs were held during 5 days festival in Moscow. On the first opening day, Prof. Namkkai Norbu gave a talk on the Essence of Nature and Energy, which was attended by over 1000 audience.

On 29 April, His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Representative to Russia & CIS, Nawang Rabgyal, gave a talk on the importance of the teachings by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Buddhists from Russian-speaking world in November 2009 and December 2010 in Dharamsala, and the cultural and spiritual contact and connection between Tibet and Russia.

Representative Rabgyal, while talking on the subject, further narrated: "According to historical records, there has had been long cultural and spiritual contact and connection for several centuries, about 400 years, between Tibet and Russia.The traditional Buddhists in Buryat, Kalmyk and Tuva Republics in Russian Federation follow the Tibetan Buddhism and they regard His Holiness the Dalai Lama as their supreme spiritual leader.

The Buddhism began to spread to three Republics in the 17th century.

Interestingly, the 7th Dalai Lama had sent letter and gift to Tsarina Catherin the Great, Queen of Russia, in 18th century through Zayab Pandita, the first Kalmyk scholar, who had studied in Tibet.

Moreover, Russia was the first European country, which had diplomatic contact with independent Tibet in the beginning of 20th century.

The great 13th Dalai Lama and Russian Tsar Nicolai-II had exchanged several correspondences and gifts through Avang Dorjiev (Nawang Dorjee), the great Buryat scholar, who became the 13th Dalai Lama's Ambassador to Russian Tsar.The first Buddhist Temple (Datsang Kuntse- Chosling) in Europe was built in St. Petersburg, capital of Russia, in 1910 with financial contribution from the 13th Dalai Lama, Mongolian government and Buddhists in Russian Federation.

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama first visited Russia (Soviet Union) in 1979 and it was followed by several visits during which He gave public teachings and initiations. Currently there are about 200 Buddhist centers and Datsangs in Russian Federation, which follow the tradition of Tibetan Buddhism."

Representative Rabgyal's talk was followed by screening a documentary film in Russian produced during the 2010 teaching in Dharamsala which is entitled as: MESSAGE FROM His Holiness the 14th DALAI LAMA TO RUSSIA. The Save Tibet Foundation distributed 25paged booklet about teachings of His Holiness to Russian Buddhists in Dharamsala in 2009 and 2010 and forthcoming teaching on 19-21 December 2011. Moscow-base Tibet House also joined the Dzogchen Forum.

New Exhibition Shows the History of Independent Tibet at the main Temple of the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala. Set in the modern surroundings of the museum's white chalked walls, frosted glass partitions and high ceilings, the exhibition, called "Glimpses of the History of Tibet", was launched by Kalon Kesang Y Takla, Kalon for the Department of Information & International Relations of the Central Tibetan Administration, who ceremoniously scissored a green ribbon and held a short welcome speech.

"We have been receiving many many requests from Tibetan communities and

different Tibetan settlements asking for some kind of exhibition which reflects the past history of Tibet" she said and continued, "in the past the museum has been displaying mostly the activities of the different communities and our approach for non-violence and autonomy through non-violent means.

Now we have here the history of Tibet, reflecting (...) what was Tibet before".

"Glimpses of the History of Tibet" is the brainchild of renowned expert on Tibet, Claude Arpi, whose effort to document the country's history seems

Dharamshala: - In a congratulatory message to his successor, Kalon Tripa Professor Samdhong Rinpoche and members of the Kashag have expressed their optimism for having the newly elected next Kalon Tripa, Dr. Lobsang Sangay, lead the Central Tibetan Administration during an historic time of transition.

"As the present change in leadership coincides with a significant transition in the exile polity, we place great hope and feel at ease to have a young, educated, honest and determined new Kalon Tripa," Kalon Tripa Professor Samdong Rinpoche said.

Pointing to the fact that Dr. Lobsang Sangay won the election with 55% of the total votes cast he also said "I and my fellow members of the Kashag would like to extend our congratulations to Dr Lobsang Sangay for winning the election with an overwhelming majority" and added that they, "wish him success in all future endeavours and at the same time extend our felicitations."

After winning the elction Dr. Lobsang Sangay said that, "I view my election as an affirmation of the far-sighted policies of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and another important step towards the realization of his vision of a truly democratic Tibetan society. I believe the success of the recent Kalon Tripa and

Harvard Law School research fellow Lobsang Sangay has been elected the prime minister of the Tibetan government in exile, during a panel discussion held in Dharamshala, Ind in 2008. Photo: TPI/file

Chitue elections and the active participation of the Tibetans in the elections is a significant moral victory."

"I want to express my sincere appreciation and extend my deepest support to the people in Tibet who continue to show tremendous courage even in the most difficult of situations.

Our hearts and minds are steadfastly with them" he also said and added, "I urge every Tibetan and friends of Tibet to join me in our common cause to alleviate the suffering of Tibetans in occupied Tibet and to return His Holiness to his rightful place in the Potala Palace."

As the current Kalon Tripa Professor Samdhong Rinpoche's five-year tenure ends on August 14 2011, Dr. Lobsang Sangay's official inauguration ceremony is expected to take place just after that date.

In 2001 the Tibetan parliament, on the advice of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, amended the Charter of the Tibetans in Exile to provide for direct election of the Kalon Tripa (Chairman of the Cabinet) by the exile populace. The Kalon Tripa, in turn, nominates the other Kalons (cabinet members), and seeks the parliament's approval for their appointment.

Tibetan Student Group Urges Indian MPs to Pressurize China

By Cornelius, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: - In a press release dated April 28 the NGO Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) informs that they are spearheading a campaign of lobbying to Indian members of parliament in the light of the recent crackdown in Ngaba, eastern Tibet. In a two day effort the SFT has delivered appeal letters to Members of both houses of Parliament urging the Indian Government to put pressure on Beijing.

In the coming days SFT's Indian delegation will meet with Indian Parliamentarians with the support of the Tibetan Parliamentary and Policy Research Center. Various foreign missions in New Delhi will also be receiving appeal letters on the issue of the situation in Ngaba.

"We will continue visiting people of influence here in New Delhi and appeal for their help in demanding the Chinese government end the military siege in Ngaba and release all those unjustly arrested," says Tenzin Jigdal, Project Director of Students for a Free Tibet -

integral to the exhibition. Consisting of 25 segments, the exhibition ambitiously attempts to provide the visitor with a comprehensive understanding of the history of Tibet, from the geological formation of the Tibetan Plateau to the present day occupation of Tibet by Communist China. "We have been very pleased that he kindly presented a set for us to have here at the museum" said Kalon Kesang Y Takla, commenting on Arpi's work.

Ajit Singh, President of Rashtriya Lok Dal, senior member of Parliament-Lok Sabha.

Photo: SFT

India. "We also call on governments' around the world to intervene before more innocent Tibetan lives are lost."

In the statement SFT writes that the Chinese authorities should "immediately end the violent crackdown and repressive "patriotic re-education" campaign in Ngaba and withdraw troops from Kirti monastery and surrounding areas". They also demand the unconditional release of all Tibetans arrested or imprisoned in Ngaba.

SFT also calls for Beijing to "allow an international and independent factfinding mission to visit Kirti monastery in Ngaba, along with members of the foreign media". As a final demand they state that Chinese authorities should "Respect the right of Kirti monks to freely practice their religion and respect

their right to movement".

"The situation in Ngaba is deteriorating as Chinese authorities continue their blatant violation of Tibetans' human rights," says Tenzin Choedon, National Director of Students for a Free Tibet India. "Everyone we have met in the Indian Government is concerned about the dire situation in Ngaba and has expressed their solidarity with the Tibetan people."

So far SFT's Indian delegation has met with Rajya Sabha MP Shri Mohan Singh, Lok Sabha MP Mmr. C.M. Chang, Lok Sabha MP Chaudhary Ajit Singh, Rajya Sabha MP Shri Satyavrat Chaturvedi and Lok Sabha MP, and former Union Minister of India, Shri Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, who raised Tibet's independence during the last Parliament session in March, 2011.

TPI PRESS & STATEMENTS

The Tibet Post

15 May, 2011 Dharamsala

9

Ten Actions to Support People in Tibetan Youths in Ngaba of Eastern Tibet Exile Learning the

Plain-clothed police carrying wooden and iron sticks, march on Ying Xiong Avenue near the main market in Ngaba Town around 5pm, 16 March 2011 just after protests took place following the self-immolation of Phuntsok. Photo: TPI

By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: - Tibetans and their supporters worldwide have engaged in protests, vigils, fasts, hunger strikes, peace marches, and government lobbying activities to pressure the Chinese government to end its attack on Tibetans in Ngaba region of eastern Tibet. The international community, governments around the world and international NGOs urged to be peaceful sense of justice to help the Tibetans. "We can't just wait & see,we need the real action to change this situation", said the statement.

The following is the list of 10 actions that you could do to show your support!

1) Call on U.S. Secretary Clinton and the U.S. Administration to speak up for Ngaba during meetings with Chinese officials in Washington, D.C. 2) Organize a solidarity protest: Tibetans and their supporters worldwide have engaged in protests,

vigils, fasts, hunger strikes, peace marches, and government lobbying activities to pressure the Chinese government to end its attack on Tibetans in Ngaba. Send details of your protest to info@studentsforafreetibet.org This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and we'll help spread the word!

3) Send an urgent petition to Sichuan Party Secretary, Liu Qibao who has the power to stop the crackdown. Ask your friends & family to sign and help spread the word.

4) Send an urgent letter calling on your government leaders to take the strongest diplomatic action possible calling on China to: - Immediately withdraw security forces from Ngaba; - Unconditionally release all detainees; - Allow international observers and

His Holiness Meets George W Bush.........

Tibetan people were hardened by our tragedy.

His Holiness said that the world was heading towards a positive direction in response to another question. He recalled his conversation with the late Queen Mother of England who had lived for most of the 20th century and who had said that the humanity was becoming better as during her childhood days the issues of human rights and right to self-determination were not known. His Holiness also referred to increased ecological awareness as well as interest of scientists in inner values that showed the world was becoming better. His Holiness reminded everyone of the impact of global warming and said some of his people have said that next year 2012 there would be some solar storm.

When asked whether he considered it an auspicious sign to be sharing the same birthday on 6 July with President Bush, His Holiness first joked that the question should be asked to the President. His Holiness said that some Tibetans believe that being born on the

same day it was in order to work together. His Holiness said he was born in Asia and President Bush was born here but he believed that this meant that they had the same purpose for their lives. He said he was fully committed to democracy and suggested that President Bush to speak more forcefully for the promotion of democracy.

Referring to the development in North Africa and the Middle East, His Holiness said he felt that President Bush could make a contribution on these issues.

Following his remarks, His Holiness presented a mounted Tibetan scroll painting of the Buddha for the George W. Bush Center.

His Holiness then departed for Fayetteville in the state of Arkansas for the next stage of his visit. On arrival officials of the University of Arkansas received him. His Holiness will have two events at the University on 11 May. These will be webcast live on 11 May at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m (7 pm and 11 pm in India and 8:30 pm and 12:30 am in Tibet) will be streamed live at http:// dcestream.uark.edu/HHDL.

media unrestricted access to Ngaba.

Find your representatives Read more about SFT India's lobby campaign for Ngaba on the SFT blog.

5) Fax a letter in Chinese to the Sichuan Public Security Department: +(86) 288 6663 961. Copy Chinese text below (English translation underneath). You can also fax the letter to the Chinese Embassy or Consulate nearest you: http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/wjb/ zwjg/2490/ FAX to Public Security Department, Sichuan: I am deeply concerned about the situation in Ngaba County (Ch: Aba Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province). Following the death of Phuntsok Jarutsang, a monk from Kirti monastery, on 16 March 2011 there has been a violent and intimidating crackdown against Tibetans by the Chinese authorities.

I demand that you immediately: - release all the Tibetans who have been arbitrarily detained.

- cease with the crackdown and intimidation of Tibetans in Ngaba and the monks at Kirti Monastery.

- stop the forced political re-education at Kirti Monastery, which violates Tibetans' basic right to religious freedom.

- allow independent international media and government officials to visit the area I have alerted my Beijing embassy and government representatives to the grave situation in Ngaba and have urged them to raise this issue with Chinese officials. Your continued crackdown in Tibet only serves to further garner global support for the Tibet cause and tarnish China's international reputation.

6) Sign the following Online Petitions: - Amnesty International's urgent action appeal for Ngaba - International Tibet Network's appeal to world leaders - International Campaign for Tibet's appeal to the U.S. Ambassador to China, Jon Huntsman.

7) Read the global statement issued by the International Tibet Network, of which SFT is a member organization.

Circulate this statement to your local media contacts.

Watch video footage smuggled from Ngaba (in Tibetan, courtesy of Voice of America) View dramatic photos (courtesy of Free Tibet) 8) Call your Embassy in China: Explain the ongoing human rights situation in Ngaba and urge them to press the Chinese government to immediately end the siege in Ngaba: http:// www.chinahighlights.com/embassy/ embassy-in-china/beijing/ 9) Call Chinese authorities in Sichuan and demand the immediate release of those detained and for an end to the military crackdown in Ngaba.

10) Call the Chinese Embassy in your country: Tell them that people worldwide are watching the situation in Ngaba, Tibet closely and demand the release of all those detained in the protest: http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/ wjb/zwjg/2490/ Thank you for your support. Together, we can help Tibetans in Ngaba defend their rights and protect their beloved monastery.

Ecology of Tibet

CST Sonada school children. photo: Tibet Net

By Adam Sirrah, The Tibet Post International

Dharamshala: Tibetan youth are learning about the fragile ecology of their homeland thanks to researchers from Tibet's Environment and Development Desk (EDD).

Researchers Ms. Chokyi and Mr. Jigme Norbu spoke today with students at the Central School for Tibetans (CST) in Kalimpong about the most pressing concerns facing the Tibetan Plateau.

The talk was part of an ongoing campaign to raise awareness among Tibetan youth about the issues facing the unique and diverse ecology of "The Third Pole". The series began last year with talks held at the Tibetan Children's Village School in Ladakh.

Their tour of northern India began at the CST Darjeeling and CST Sonada on Tuesday. They also visited the Sambhota Tibetan School in Pokhriabong. A statement from EDD said that the "Talks concluded with good responses from both the students and teachers."

This year's program includes the screening of a documentary called "Meltdown in Tibet". The film's website reiterates many of the issues discussed by the researchers. It is also a reminder of the interconnectedness of our world and that the Plateau's destruction spawns from activities of all corners of the globe.

The greatest threat is the disappearing glaciers which are the origin of many of Asia's major rivers.

These glaciers are melting faster than anywhere in the world. Without concerted efforts, disappearing glaciers could have devastating effects for some 1.8 billion people who depend, directly and indirectly, upon this water source. The heating of the world's atmosphere has accelerated drastically in recent years, largely a result of human activities. The world's largest contributors of green house gases in absolute numbers are China, the U.S. and India, but the per capita emissions are far greater in developed nations than in developing ones.

Another point of discussion was the damming of the rivers. Five of the World Wildlife Fund's ten most threatened rivers originate on the

Tibetan Plateau and much of the danger comes from the voracious appetite for hydropower of the surrounding countries. China is the world's largest builder of dams. The world's largest dam is the Three Gorges Dam along the Yangzi River. A mere three years after opening, the dam has flooded neighbouring areas, displaced 1.3 million people, and daily collects some three tonnes of refuse.

It is described by environmental experts as an "Ecological time-bomb".

Resource extraction is another pertinent discussion topic on the tour.

Among many issues associated with mining on the Plateau is that it releases arsenic, a poisoning metalloid, into the groundwater. Using arsenic-laden water is already a health problem around Asia.

Recent mineral discoveries in the mountainous and previously isolated terrain of the Plateau have caused investors to froth. China welcomes foreign capital and expertise to extract minerals. Canadian companies are leading the way. Montreal-based Bombardier led the construction of the railway that connects the resourcerich mountains to export zones.

Canada-based mining companies that are involved in the area include: Lara Exploration, Sterling Group, Inter-Citic Minerals Inc., Eldorado Gold and China Gold International Resources Corp. Ltd. On top of the inherent environmental consequences of these activities, they perpetuate the domination of the Tibetan people by the Chinese.

The struggle facing the region's ecology is an imminent threat. Director of Ecological Buddhism, Dr. John Stanley, stated in 2008 that without immediate action, "Asian civilization will not survive" and that the current agenda of the countries whose livelihoods are so dependent upon the Tibetan Plateau has "no bearing on the survival of billions of people, or civilization as we know it."

Changing the management of humanity's most important survival mechanism is vital. The EDD is doing a good job spreading this message to youth. They will continue their efforts tomorrow at Sambhota Tibetan School in Gangtok and on May 2 at CST in Ravangla.

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15 May, 2011 Dharamsala

TPI INTERNATIONAL

The Tibet Post

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Oversea Chinese Praise Exile Tibetans' Visits 2nd largest US Tibetan Democratic Elections Community

By Adam Sirrah, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: On Sunday May 8th His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited America's second largest Tibetan community based around the Twin Cities area in Minnesota. At the University of Minnesota's Mariucci Arena, the Dalai Lama first took part in a Medicine Buddha ceremony and later in the day held a speech on the subject of "Peace Through Inner Peace".

At the morning ceremony, which were to promote "personal and societal healing", around 6,000 people received blessings and took part in the cultural and spiritual ceremony lead by His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. To begin with he first talked about the roles of the different religions in today's society and underlined that all religions have the same potential for unbiased compassion. To the large crowd, which included an estimated 2000 Tibetans, His Holiness emphasized the

about warmheartedness. He paid tribute to mothers as the source of affection and warmth in their children by saying that "by nature we all have the potential [for] warm-warmheartedness because we all come from our mother," he said. "We've grown up under mother's tremendous affection. We all have the same experience. That's very very important."

He said that those individuals who received maximum affection from their mother when young developed much deeper inner calm when they are grown up. Similarly, those individuals who did not receive affection and who may even have suffered abuse had a negative outlook when grown up.

His Holiness also said he appreciated the University of Minnesota's effort in incorporating the study of spirituality.

His visit also coincides with the official launch of the Tibetan Healing Initiative

Tibetan Buddhist leader Dalai Lama bless members of the Tibetan community as they brought prayer shawls and beads for him to bless at St. Thomas University on Saturday, May 7, 2011 in St. Paul, Minn. The U.S. raid that killed Osama bin Laden was understandable, the Dalai Lama said Saturday, yet it also saddened him because of his lifelong commitment to nonviolence. The Tibetan Buddhist leader told reporters that violence easily gets out of control and causes resentments that breed additional enemies , like more Osama bin Ladens.

(AP Photo/The Star Tribune, Richard Tsong-Taatarii)

By Cornelius Lundsgaard, The Tibet Post

need for studying and practicing the Buddhist philosophy and advised that serious Buddhist practitioners should meditate on the four foundation of mindfulness: mindfulness of body; mindfulness of feelings; mindfulness of mind; and mindfulness of Dharmas, before he ended the ceremony by reminding the gathering that mere recitation of prayers is not enough and said that peace would not come through prayer; peace will come through action.

Before the afternoon's public address began, University President Robert Bruininks bestowed a doctorate of humane letters on the Dalai Lama, the highest degree available at the University of Minesota. After receiving this honorary degree, His Holiness began his speech, talking about the importance of educational institutions like the University incorporating secular moral ethics into the curriculum. He said that the modern education system began over a thousand years ago in Europe and that, at that time, the Church took upon itself the role of promoting inner peace. Over the years, the influence of the Church declined as did family values. Therefore, now there was a need for the educational institutions to step in to teach people on inner values.

As the Dalai Lama's appearance in Minnesota coincided with Mother's Day, he also recalled the kindness of his mother and said that he learned from her

(THI) at the University's Center for Spirituality & Healing. The new THI initiatives will include research on the benefits of blending Tibetan healing with conventional health practices and integrating Tibetan practices into regional clinic and hospital settings.

Taking questions from the audience, His Holiness touched on matters as diverse as China's tightening control with its intellectuals, the benefits of the Internet and whether the World was getting better or worse. To the latter he replied that he felt the World was getting better based on facts like a growing awareness of the importance of ecology, scientists seriously studying the mind, public calls on ban on nuclear weapons and other indications of a growing awareness. He also recalled his conversation with the late British Queen Mother in 1996 during which he sought her view of the 20th century since she had lived for most of it. The Queen Mother had unhesitatingly responded that the world was getting better because in the beginning of the 20th century there was no concept of human rights and self-determination.

His Holiness' last visit to the area was in 2001, making this the second visit in 10 years. In that decade the Tibetan community of Minnesota, second only to that of the greater New York area, with an estimated 6-7,000 Tibetans, has seen a rise in numbers and an increase in community activities. The latter was

Dharamshala: - Media sources from inside China have decried Tibet's recent elections as inconsequential and illegitimate. But outside China there are at least two Chinese organizations singing praise about Tibet's new political leader, Dr. Lobsand Sangay.

The Chinese-Tibetan Friendship Associations in New Zealand and Australia issued a statement on April 30 offering their "Hearty congratulations to Dr. Lobsang Sangay." The statement also said that Chinese proponents of democracy are happy about the stepping stone this election demonstrates - that Tibetans are taking proactive measures to reform their system of governance from the archaic form practiced over the past several centuries toward a modern democratic one.

They suggested that the only hope for Tibetans to receive respectful treatment in their homeland is by the loosening of China's authoritarian rule.

The group, consisting of Han Chinese totalling over six hundred thousand in the country - and Tibetans living in Australia, was formed at the request of the Dalai Lama following 2008's riots.

Since then, Tibetans and Chinese around the world have reached out to each other to form similar organizations in New Zealand, Japan, Switzerland and other countries. There are around fifty million Han Chinese living outside China, and the Dalai Lama has spoken about the importance of including this population in the Tibet-China peace process.

Over the past couple decades Han Chinese, motivated by governmental migration policies and other incentives, have been flocking to Tibet. Some estimates suggest that the Han population living in Lhasa is double that of Tibetans. This has created much anymosity between the two groups.

But the sprouting of Chinese-Tibetan Friendship groups show that they can be eager to and capable of cooperating under different circumstances.

The Chinese group also acknowledged reflected in the many side-events planned around His Holiness' visit, including music and dance workshops, a debate on "Impermanence and the Tibetan Community in Exile", cultural performances, documentary screenings and a photo exhibition. According to local newspaper Star Tribune, the first wave of Tibetan refugees coming to the Twin Cities began in 1992 after federal lawmakers passed a resolution authorizing 1,000 immigration visas for Tibetans in India and Nepal to come to the United States in 1990.

During his Minnesota visit, His Holiness also found time to attend a private luncheon with more than a hundred donors and dignitaries as well as meeting with State Governor Mark Dayton who "greeted the Dalai Lama in his capacity as spiritual leader of the Tibet and a major world religious figure" - a standard practice for politicians who meet with His Holiness to avoid any political undertones. Despite the political sensitivity of receiving the Dalai Lama, however, former President George Bush did bestow him with the nation's highest civilian honour, a Congressional Gold Medal in 2007, while the president was still in office.

Members of Chinese delegation from worldwide reading the official statements of government in-exile during the 50th anniversary of Tibetans come to India, Dharamshala, India. Photo: TPI

the intentions behind the recent crackdown at Kirti Monastery, citing that it is part of a strategy to suppress minorities.

The organization promised that it will work harder toward the goal of a democratic China and a harmonious Tibet.

Taiwan DPP Congratulates Dr. Lobsang, the new PM of Tibet

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP Taiwan). Photo: DPP

By Keary Huan, The Tibet Post

Taipei: - The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of Taiwan has sent a message of congratulations to Dr. Lobsang Sangay, the newly-elected Prime Minister of the Tibetan government in exile. The DPP said in the message that "the Democratic Progressive Party congratulates elected leader Dr. Lobsang Sangay, and it also pleased to see that the government leaders are democratically elected by the Tibetan people. The election result is not only a victory for the Tibetan government in exile, it is also a victory for all Tibetan people."

"DPP is looking forward to have the Prime Minister Dr. Lobsang Sangay visiting Taiwan and to a more firmly based friendship."

"His Holiness the Dalai Lama has announced his retirement in March. No longer being a political leader of Tibet government in exile, he will transit his power to the elected political leader, for establishing a better democratic system for Tibet and its people. We believe that it is an important milestone to build a democratic election system for Tibetan people," the message reads.

During His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Tibetan government in exile leadership, he fully committed to fighting for the Tibetan people's human rights and democratic freedom. His Holiness has visited Taiwan many times, and he has shown deep feelings for the people of

Taiwan; when Taiwan suffered from the typhoon, His Holiness also visited the affected areas in Taiwan without hesitation.

"Prime Minister Dr. Lobsang Sangay is an expert on international human rights law, he won the election, which highlighting the aspirations of the Tibetan people's eager for democracy and freedom," said DPP. "The Democratic Progressive Party is urging the Chinese government to take the opportunity for a sincere dialogue with the Tibetan Prime Minister. We also demand the Chinese authorities' attention to the Tibetan people's determination for a genuine autonomy for Tibet. Freedom and basic human rights protection must be seriously implemented into Tibetan life."

"As a new democratic nation, Taiwan is experiencing the hardships of the democratic process, but it also understanding the precious fruit of freedom; we support the Tibetan people who are working hard for freedom and democracy. The DPP appeals that the Ma Ying-jeou administration should actively communicate with China on human rights and democracy, show support for democracy in Tibet, and not be afraid of offending the Chinese authorities by deliberately avoiding the question of Tibet, resulting in damage to the international image of Taiwan."

TPI TIBET

The Tibet Post

Imprisonment of Tibetan Monk and Writer Sherab Gyatso

Ven Sherab Gyatso, Buddhist monk and writer from Kirti Monastery, Ngaba region of eastern Tibet. Photo: Khabdha By

Sangay Dorjee and Cornelius Lundsgaard, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: - Tibetan monk and writer Sherab Gyatso, who has hitherto been assumed missing, has recently been

told to be held incarcerated in Chengdu, province of Sichuan writes Indianbased public talk webpage khabdha.

Gyaltso disappeared around March 16, the day of young Kirti-monk Phintsok's self-immolation. He had been on his way to the Tsongon region of eastern Tibet (Ch: province of Qinghai) to publish his second book, but when he learned of the self-immolation and the subsequent protests and unrest, he decided to go to Ngaba county where the Kirti monastery is located. However, on his way to Ngaba, he disappeared and only recently has it become known to the public that he is in fact held prisoner in Chengdu.

Sherab Gyatso himself is native to Ngaba county and is an ordained monk from Kirti monastery. Deemed a skilful writer and debater, he has on several occasions been invited to address students at the Northwest University for Nationalities on issues related to Tibetan culture and the education of Tibetans. Gyatso is also a successful researcher and has travelled extensively

around China, India and Nepal in that capacity. In 2009 he published his first book titled "Time to Wake up", a book that quickly became hugely popular all over Tibet.

In 1998 Gyatso was arrested for the first time, when around 40 monasteries including Kirti monastery - were subjected to Chinese authorities' "reeducation" programs. In a response to this, Gyaltso made and put up posters describing the exact laws of China that the Chinese authorities were themselves seen breaking, including freedom of religion, freedom of speech etc.. His actions then caused him 4 years of imprisonment when he was arrested for being the one responsible for the posters.

After serving his time and being released, Gyatso then went to study Buddhism in Lhasa, but, when the unrest of 2008 happened, he was found to be leading a group of Kirti monks protesting in the streets of Lhasa. He was promptly arrested again and had to endure more than a year of imprisonment before being released.

According to www.khabdha.org, some sources say that Sherab Gyatso has now been released from the Chengdu prison but is unable to return to Ngaba county on account of the Chinese authorities denying him the right to travel beyond the region of Chengdu.

Families Demand Release of Monks, Several Others Arrested

By Tibetan government News Agency: Tibet Net

Dharamshala: - The whereabouts of over 300 monks since they were removed from the Kirti monastery of Ngaba region of eastern Tibet following a police on the night of 21 April, which left two elderly Tibetans dead due to police beating.

The families and relatives of the Tibetan monks detained from Kirti monastery in northeastern Tibet have attempted to lodge their complaint to the regional government authority in Ngaba, Kanyag Tsering, a monk of Kirti monastery in Dharamsala, said.

The families and relatives of those detained monks who hail from Khangsarma village in Chigdril district in Golog went to Ngaba to lodge their complaint over the arbitrary detention of the monks on 29 April, Kanyag Tsering said. He said they also intended to demand the immediate release of the monks.

As they were travelling to Ngaba in

around 20 cars, Chinese security forces in 10 large military vehicles blocked them at some 5 km from the regional government office in Ngaba before being handed them over to the police in Chigdril district.

More Arrests: Meanwhile, there is no let up in the arbitrary detention of monks at Kirti monastery. Four monks, including Lobsang Kunchok, aged 28, a native of Thawa Ghongma, were detained at around 9 am (local time) on 28 April.

The names of the other three monks and their whereabouts remain unknown,

Kanyag Tsering said.

Moreover, another monk named Tsering Damdul has been taken into police custody for his alleged role in taking the burned body of Phuntsog into the monastery. Phuntsog, a 21-year-old monk of Kirti monastery, killed himself by self-immolation on 16 March to protest China's brutal repression on the peaceful protests in Tibet in 2008.

Phuntsog's tragic death created resentment among monks of Kirti monastery and the general public, which resulted in the military blockade of the monastery.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration had made urgent appeal for restraint by the Chinese government in resolving the crisis at Kirti Monastery. The Central Tibetan Administration had also urged the international community, governments and parliaments around the world to make an appeal to the Chinese government to release the detained monks at once.

China Builds Up Army Capacity On India-Tibet Border

By Cornelius Lundsgaard, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: The Chinese government, in case of a threat scenario with India, now has the capability of deploying more than half-a-million troops and sustaining them for over a month on the Indo-Tibetan border, also called the Line of Actual Control, according to the Indian Express. Last month a presentation was given to PM Manmohan Singh by the Indian Army, disclosing the details of Chinese army capacities and the recent build-up of infrastructure in the so-called Tibet Autonomous Region.

The so called PLA Soldiers patrolling along India-Tibet Border. Photo: FIle

As part of major infrastructure upgradation in Tibet and east Turkestan, China has plans to establish another 70.000 km of black-top roads,

to extend the Qinghai-Tibet Railway from Golmund to Lhasa and thereon to Shigatse (close to Sikkim), to construct railways connecting Kathmandu, Myanmar, Bhutan, Pakistan and Central Asian republics as well as plans to build 11 new rail lines in Tibet and Xinjiang, which will ensure rapid deployment of troops or so called PLA. Also included in the report was information that there are eight airfields in Tibet, including five operational ones; 18 air bases in Tibet and east Turkestan have the capability to put India under range of Sukhoi 27 aircraft.

15 May, 2011 Dharamsala

11

Tension Continues in Tibet's Ngaba, Parliament Appeals to the World The delegation expressed deep concern about military blockade imposed on the monastery, which has virtually turned the monastery into a jail. The delegation strongly disapprove it as the most undemocratic and uncivilized action on the part of the Chinese authorities.

"The Tibetan people's freedom of religion is threatened and their human rights grossly violated with over 300 monks forcibly taken away by the paramilitary forces to some unknown locations," the delegation said. "...the government authority instead of listening to the grievances of the people continues to use force and suppress the people", they added.

The appeal letter was send to the Embassy of France, Royal Danish Embassy, High Commission for Britain, Canadian High Commission, Embassy of Republic of Poland, Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium, Embassy of Austria, Embassy of the United States of America, Embassy of the Czech Republic, Australian High Commission, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Royal Norwegian Embassy and European Union Commission.

The foreign Embassies expressed their deep concern about the sufferings of the Tibetan people in Ngaba and assured their full support to bring an end to the repression.

The Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the India-Tibet Co-ordination Office in New Delhi jointly arranged the delegation's meeting with the foreign Embassy officials.

Core Group for Tibetan Cause India to observe 'A Day of Kirti Monastery' The Core Group for Tibetan Cause, India, met with the Tibetan Parliamentary delegation to discuss the Chinese government's repression on Kirti Monastery in northeastern Tibet.

Dr. N.K. Trilhka, National Convener of Core Group for Tibetan Cause and Mr. S.P. Malaviya, a former minister of India briefed Mr Jaswant Sinha, a former cabinet minister of India, about the worsening situation in Tibet.

Mr Jaswant Sinha, former foreign minister of India, expressed his deep concern about the prevailing situation in Tibet and extended his full support for the Tibetan people.

The Tibetan Parliamentary delegation led

by Mrs Gyari Dolma (centre), Ven Sonam Tenphel (2nd left) and Mrs Tsering Youdon brief Danish Embassy's Deputy Ambassador Mr Danny Annan on the situation in Kirti Monastery in northeastern Tibet. Photo: Tibet Net

By Tibetan government News Agency: Tibet Net

Dharamshala: - Three MPs - Mr Kalsang Gyaltsen, Ven. Sonam Temphel and Mrs Tsering Youdon - were part of the delegation. In a letter addressed to the ambassadors of various Embassies, the delegation sought for visit of fact finding delegation to Kirti monastery in Ngaba in northeastern Tibet to help restore human rights and normalise the situation.

As the tension in Ngaba region of Tibet continues, the delegation from the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile headed by Deputy Speaker Dolma Gyari have approached the foreign embassies in New Delhi for their help to diffuse the crisis.

The foreign governments were also requested to support free and independent media to visit Ngaba and other parts of Tibet.

The delegation also called on the governments to urge the Chinese government to release the detained monks and allow the monastery to carry out their religious activities.

It was also mentioned in the letter regarding the continual violent repression on the Tibetans by the Chinese authorities. The letter said: "Arbitrary arrests, torture and death of Bulug of Jomda region in Dege on 25 March 2011 and death of Jamyang Jinpa from Amdo Labrang in Tashikyil on 3 April 2011 are some of the recent testimonies of death as a result of inhumane treatment by the Chinese authority."

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Advicer Advicer Editor in Chief Chinese Editor Assistant Editor Circular Publisher Editor, Tibet Post Europe Reporter

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Mr. Thomas Keimel Dr. Vincent Brucel Mr. YC. Dhardhowa Ms. Keary Huang Mr. Sangay Dorjee Ven Phuntsok Dhondup Mr. Tenzin Kunga Mr. James Dunn Ms. Pema Tso

Contributors for this Editon

Keary Huang Mathew Singh Toor YC. Dhardhowa Sangay Dorjee Pema Tso

Taiwan India India India India Denmark

Cornelius Lundsgaard Samuel Ivor

England

Adam Sirrah

Canada

The Tibet Post International Himalayan Literacy Trust C/O BookWorm, Mcleod Ganj-176219 Dharamsala, Distt. Kangra, H.P India

Tele: 0091-1892-224641 Moble:+91-9882423566 E-mail: editor@thetibetpost.com www.thetibetpost.com

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15 May, 2011 Dharamsala

TPI FREEDOM IN EXILE

Tibetan Parliament Condoles Demise of Arunachal CM

Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in-Exile, Mr Penpa Tsering. Photo: TPI/File

By Tibet Net

Dharamshala: The Tibetan Parliamentin-Exile has expressed its deep condolence over the sad demise of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu, who passed away in a tragic helicopter crash.

In a condolence message sent to the

state chief secretary, the Tibetan Parliament said it was deeply worried and prayed for the safe return of the chief minister as the helicopter carrying him and his colleagues went missing for the last almost four days.

"The state of Arunachal Pradesh and the Tibetan people have had historical relationship, which was further strengthened and deepened during the tenure of Dorjee Khandu La's chief ministership. The Parliament remains highly appreciative of his leadership and concern," Speaker Penpa Tsering said in the message.

"The Tibetan Parliament in Exile expresses its deep condolence to the people of Arunachal Pradesh. We wish to convey our condolence to all the bereaved family members of the late chief minister," the message noted.

Tibetan Official to Attend Funeral of late Arunachal CM Dharamshala: - The Kalon for the Department of Religion and Culture of the Central Tibetan Administration will pay his last respects to the late Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu in Tawang.

According to a report on the official media 'Tibet Net", Kalon Tsering Phuntsok has left Dharamsala on last Saturday for Tawang to attend the state funeral of late chief minister scheduled on 10 May. He will offer his condolences to the concerned officials and family members of the late chief minister on the occasion.

He will visit Tawang monastery to conduct prayer service on 11 May. He is also expected to meet with the Tibetan

By Cornelius Lundsgaard, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: - In an effort to raise awareness about human rights issues in China, the reigning Women's World Longboard Surfing Champion Cori Schumacher recently took a drastic step in deciding to boycott the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Longboard Tour this year.

One of the events will be taking place on Hainan Island in China and when Schumacher, an avid women's rights activist, received the invitation for the event, which would be subsidised by the Chinese government she was faced with a dilemma, "I felt like I had two choices: I could go with my

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Arrives in Tokyo

By The Tibet Post

Tokyo: - After a brief rest His Holiness offered special prayers in private at Gokokuji, a Japanese Buddhist temple in Tokyo for an hour. The prayer is dedicated to help prevent recurrence of disasters like the recent devastating earthquake and tsunami.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived at Tokyo Narita Airport this morning.

Today there will be a public memorial prayer service in remembrance of the victims of the tragic earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan last month.

Coincidentally this mass prayer meeting happens to be on the 49th day, which according to Buddhist tradition is the end of formal mourning period.

On 30 April, His Holiness the Dalai

Tibetan prime minister, Prof Samdhong Rinpoche speaking at a function, Dharamshala, India. Photo: TPI/file

Lama will leave for the United States on a two-week visit.

-Report filed by Tsewang Gyalpo Arya, Office of Tibet, Japan

His Holiness Prays for Safe Return of Arunachal CM

By JNS

Kalon for the Department of Religion and Culture. Photo: TPI/File

By The Tibet Post International

community. He will return Dharamshala on 14 May. Mr Dorjee Khandu along with 4 of his colleagues died in a tragic helicopter accident near Tawang recently.

World Champion Surfer, Women's Activist Boycotts China

Cori Schumacher. Photo: File

The Tibet Post

reservations and wear a 'Free Tibet' shirt. Or, I could stand up for what I believe in and hopefully call more attention to these issues through a boycott," she told the Del Mar Times.

Schumacher pointed out that the decision to host the 2011 World Tour in China, "followed an important US congressional hearing on China's 'One Child Policy,' a policy sanctioned by the Chinese government that is implicated in gendercide, sexual slavery, forced sterilization and forced abortions." wrote lifesitenews.com.

In her much lauded career as a longboard surfer Schumacher has chosen not to be sponsored but rather work a regular 9-5 job to support herself in order to be able to speak her mind without contractual restrictions.

Women's Rights Without Frontiers (WRWF), a human rights group that focuses on China, applauded Schumacher for her decision, calling her a woman of "tremendous courage, conviction and backbone - a shining light not only to female athletes, but to all women who are struggling for basic human dignity, all over the world."

Dharamshala: Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama is concerned about Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu after the helicopter carrying him went missing, his aide said on Sunday.

"His Holiness is deeply concerned about the situation and is praying for the safe return of Dorjee Khandu and others," Tenzin Taklha, joint secretary at His Holiness the Dalai Lama's office, told IANS. The Nobel laureate is now in Japan, where he offered prayers and provided solace to the survivors of the devastating March 11 earthquake.

Tibetan leader had visited Arunachal Pradesh on the invitation of Khandu in November 2009. His Holiness the Dalai Lama inaugurated a hospital there for

Tibetan prime minister, Prof Samdhong Rinpoche speaking at a function, Dharamshala, India. Photo: TPI/file

which he contributed Rs 2 million.

It was through Tawang that in 1959 His Holiness the Dalai Lama escaped the

Chinese authorities to enter India. The sixth Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso, was born in the Tawang region in 1682.

Tibetan Govt. Deeply Saddened by Demise of Arunachal CM

By The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: - The Kashag of the Central Tibetan Administration on Wednesday condoled the sad demise of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu, who died in a helicopter crash in Lobothang near Tawang District.

In a condolence message, Kalon Tripa Prof Samdhong Rinpoche expressed "deep sadness and worry about the tragic demise of a young, honest and one of the best chief ministers of Arunachal Pradesh Dorjee Khandu."

"Moreover, he has brought immense development and improvement in the lives of the people of Arunachal Pradesh and the Tibetans living there in peace and harmony," Kalon Tripa said.

"Since his death is a great loss to both the Tibetans and the people of Arunachal Pradesh, I, along with my cabinet colleagues offer our prayers and

Tibetan prime minister, Prof Samdhong Rinpoche speaking at a function, Dharamshala, India. Photo: TPI/file

heartfelt condolences to the people of the state and his family members," Kalon Tripa said.

A special prayer service will be

organised by the Department of Religion and Culture at the Tsuglagkhang, the main temple in Dharamsala on 5 May, Kalon Tripa said.