Tibet Post International

Tibetan Writer escaped to India Page 5

Vol. 01, Issue 33, 31 December 2010

Tibet is not belong to China

Buddhist Monk Sentenced to 3 Year Prison Term

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I n t e r n a t i o n a l B o d - K y i - Cha- Trin

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Tibetan Leader Begins Spiritual Retreat and Teachings in Sikkim

By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

Tibetans marching in the Indian capital, New Delhi on 15th December 2010. Photo: TPI

Dharamshala: As the Chinese premier Wen Jiabao began his three-day visit to India on Wednesday, Tibetan exiles lodged their protest in Indian capital against China's rule over Tibet, protesters say, "It's their style of lodging a peaceful protest against Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao's in the Indian capital. They just want to highlight China's "occupation and oppression" of Tibet, a mountain Continues on Page 7

Two Terrorists Arrested in H.P

Gangtok: The Tibetan Spiritual Leader, His Holiness Dalai Lama offered a prayer in Pemayangtse Monastery on Wednesday before he proceeded to Tashi-Teng Monastery where he was in two days' meditation. A retreat has been built for the His Holiness the Dalai Lama's meditation, below the holy stupas in memory of Buddhist monks at the monastery.

Tibetan leader arrived in Sikkim on Wednesday (15 December) on an eight day visit to offer lectures on world peace, teachings of Buddhism, confer empowerment to Buddhist followers, participate in a conference on Brain and Mind, and take part in long life prayer offerings by devotees in the Himalayan Kingdom of Sikkim.

His Holiness was warmly welcomed by Sikkim Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling and his cabinet colleagues at the Pelling Helipad in West Sikkim.

The Sikkim government has banned slaughter of animals in the state during the eight day stay of the Tibetan spiritual leader. Home Secretary Jasbir Singh said, the state government has made adequate security arrangement in all the places which the spiritual leader will visit during his stay

His Holiness the Dalai Lama arriving at Mani Chokhor Ling Monastery at Buddha Park, in Ravangla, Sikkim, on 19 December 2010/Photo by Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL

Continues on Page 3 An Indian security guard officer at Dharamshala cricket stadium, Dharamshala, H.P, India, 17 December 2008.

Photo: TPI/file

Dharamshala: With the arrest of the two Hizbul Mujhaideen terrorists prowling around the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh , the security system at His Holiness the Dalai Lama's residence and temple have been beefed up as a precautionary measure.

The two terrorist belonging to the dreaded terror outfit Hizbul Mujhaideen originating from Jammu & Kashmir have been identified as Jameel Ahmed, Continues on Page 8

Tibet Sport Group to Organize Ten Day Spirit Workshop

Solidarity With Liu Xiaobo

Tibet Is A Dying, We Need US Help

See on Page 4

RSF New Chinese-website Goes Online

By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: Leaked cables from the United States embassy in New Delhi have shed light on the delicate balancing act India faced following widespread demonstrations in Tibet in March 2008, as the government of China came under pressure to weigh "the sympathy of the Indian public" against Beijing's concerns over protests in India.

A dispatch from the U.S. embassy filed in March 26, 2008, two weeks after protest against China's rule over the Himalayan region began in central Tibet and several eastern Tibetan areas, quotes the then foreign secretary - and current National Security Adviser - Shiv Shankar Menon as telling the U.S. Ambassador the Tibetan movement had Continues on Page 4

The Tibetan National football tean. Photo: TNSA Emailed by Chime Tenzing, Dharmasala, India, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: The Tibetan National Sports Association (TNSA) based in Dharamshala is organizing a 10 days workshop -‘Train the trainers' for the physical education teachers and trainers of 20 Tibetan schools that have already introduced Under-12 football clubs in their respective schools under the aegis of the TNSA. According to the Secretary of TNSA Mr. Kalsang Dhondup, "the primary objective of this workshop is to make the game of football more popular from the grass root level and to equip our trainers at the schools with the basic

technique and skills so that they could impart right skills to our budding footballers at the right age. In future TNSA hope to have plenty of young talented players who will represent the Tibetan National Football Team."

The workshop will be held at Tibetan Vocational Training Centre Selakui from 27th December 2010 to 6th January 2011. Experts in football, sport psychology, sports medicine and yoga from Slovenia and India have been invited to share Continues on Page 2

Dharamshala: The Paris-based press freedom watchdog, Reporters Without Borders (RSF)Wednesday (22 December) has launched a new version of its Chinese-language website www.rsf-chinese.org in order to provide better Continues on Page 4

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TPI EDITORIAL

31 December , 2010 Dharamsala

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The Tibet Post

World Human Rights Day China Will Hope to Forget James Dunn, The Tibet Post Europe

China's Media Always Remained A Voice of The Sole Party Editor in Chief - YC. Dhardhowa E-mail: editor@thetibetpost.com

So called China Tibet Online. Photo: CTO

Dharamshala: In these times of Wikileaks, when every top secret is accelerating at breathless speed out into the open, China still claims that its manufactured news and propaganda-based website for Tibet has credible news and has got a over 260 million hits in the last six months. (If that is true, then Facebook is facing serious competition from this website!).

It was seriously laughable when China claimed recently to have a new English version of its leading multilingual website ‘China Tibet Online’ (eng.tibet.cn) dedicated to Tibet-related topics, seeking to provide more coverage of the issues faced by ordinary Tibetans. Wei Wu, the so called deputy editor-in-chief of the 'China Tibet Online' claimed on Tuesday at a press conference held in Beijing.

And the real picture? Besides maintaining strong control of the media, the CCP authorities hope that the site would draw the world's attention."Our website aims to serve as a platform to provide a true picture of Tibet for people home and abroad. We hope that we can offer the English speakers a better experience when visiting our website," Wei claimed.

“China Tibet Information Center” is the curious name given to the website since July 8, 2010. The official also claims that it offers services in Chinese, English and Tibetan and over 260 million hits on its English page were recorded this year as of mid-December. One begins to wonder if Chinese media is as addictive as Facebook?

All media in China are owned by the state and remain strictly controlled by the Chinese Communist party (CCP), with tight censorship rules in place. The news media in Communist China has mostly focused on routine party meetings and activities and speeches of leaders. In 2008, just before Beijing Olympic, there has been a rare call for it to report truth and unbiased news and issues about topical, social, economic, cultural and health issues.

According to official figures, the agency employs 8,400 people. Agence FrancePresse (AFP) by contrast has a staff of 2,000 of which 1,900 are journalists and editors. The president of the world's biggest propaganda agency, 'Xinhua' has a high ranking position in the CCP. The agency's news gathering and handling is broken up into three parts: "The headquarters" (its official name), national branches and international branches. It also has branches in 31 provinces, as well as in Tibet, Hong Kong and Macao. There are offices in around 50 Chinese cities.

Propaganda officials continue to send out instructions on how news should be handled, journalists must use euphemisms when reporting on sensitive topics such as issues of Tibet and Eastern Turkestan or not cover them at all. Like in Tibet most of the news media in China, operates under governmental control, and its releases reflect official policies and sister media also must strictly follow all regulations and rules published by the state controlled news agency, 'Xinhua'.

When there is a problem such as peaceful protests in Tibet, or disasters like earthquake in Kyigudo, the knee-jerk reaction of the government is to impose a news blackout. Central and local officials have close relations with those in charge of radio, newspapers and television stations based in Tibet and China and can block any news they don't want reported. So much news is blocked people are often poorly informed even about big stories that happened near high ranking officials.

Under Hu Jintao's rule in Tibet during the late 1980's and early 1990's, unthinkable acts of violence and destruction were carried out. Further, under the "Harmony Society" he instituted martial law and cracked down on the religious and other freedoms granted by the previous Chinese leader of Tibet. Now as the leader of China, Hu has continued to suppress human rights in Tibet, he has implemented policies and strategies to further the genocide.

If anything censorship and restrictions on the media have increased under the head of communist regime Hu Jintao when it comes to political issues in general and the Tibet issue in particular. Books have been banned, Internet sites have been shut down, journalists have been jailed in increasing numbers.

There are no freedom of information laws or freedom of the press in China and Tibet. If a magazine, newspapers, websites and individual blogs publish something the party doesn't like, the government can fire the editors, authors, writers and journalists and shut the newspaper or website down.

The lack of freedom extends beyond the media. Respected Tibetan and Chinese professors, scholars and spiritual leaders have been banned from teaching or speaking and any famous literary critics have been banned from publishing for expressing unpopular views. Xinhua always remained a sole voice of the party.

London: To the majority of people in China the 10th of December will not be considered a special day, nothing noteworthy. Once again the Chinese propaganda juggernaut rumbled into total lock-down with foreign news stations going black at just the mention of the Nobel Peace Prize and Internet sites becoming forbidden.

However, outside of ‘The Great Firewall of China' December 10th was a momentous day of unity and positive change. Despite Liu Xiaobo's imprisonment he acted as the catalyst to the change, his empty chair at the Nobel ceremony became a poignant symbol of China's empty political and personal freedoms. The symbol also acted as a sharp reminder to the international community, the only regimes that have limited a laureate from attending the Nobel Prize in the past have been: Nazi Germany, the old Soviet Union, Poland under martial law and Burma. These comparisons have not been ignored by the world as world leaders who in recent years have become increasingly ignorant of China's constant and fierce grasp over its people, as they call for Liu's release.

The Chinese government's reaction may seem from the outside world somewhat farcical; creating their own peace prize, saying the peace committee knows nothing about peace and calling the rest of the world "meddling clowns". It is, however, no laughing matter, China's house arrestment of Liu Xiaobo's wide and harassment of other Chinese dissidents is an awkward reminder of the lengths China are willing to take to

Solidarity With Liu Xiaobo: supporters Protest in Hong Kong on 10th December 2010.

Photo: File

keep their people quiet.

The Chinese media has been threatening to supporters of the award, state run newspaper, The Global Times, printed on their front page on the day of the ceremony, "The split of opinion over the Nobel Peace Prize this year is a choosing of sides". This split is publically evident as China successfully pressured countries to not attend the ceremony, including Russia and Pakistan; a divide in the political world is beginning to show.

The world not only celebrated the Nobel Peace Prize on that day but also International Human Rights Day, with an abundance of events held right across the globe. The events that moved me the most was held in London, a coalition of Chinese, Uighur and Tibetans came together to hold a vigil.

After the vigil they sang songs and read

poems, celebrating one another's culture, Students for a Free Tibet UK said, "before long, Chinese singers had started singing traditional Tibetan songs, Chinese and Uyghur singers stood together to sing a Mongolian song and everybody, regardless of ethnic group, was singing along."

Students for a Free Tibet also founded a new website on the day, entitled One Struggle, which aims to bring together all the peaceful causes which suffer under Chinese rule. A unified and organised cause is a stronger cause and it will begin a whole new chapter in the struggle for human rights.

China hopes this day will be cast into the shadows of history and Liu Xiaobo's supporters will dwindle, however, one thing is certain the world is once again taking note of China's darker side and acting against it.

Tibet Sport Group to Organize Ten Day Spirit Workshop

their expertise to the trainers during the workshop.

This will be the first of its kind workshop by TNSA since the introduction of Under-12 football clubs in Tibetan schools in exile. With cooperation of TCV Head Office, Department of Education - CTA,

Central Tibetan School Administration - New Delhi, Tibetan Homes Foundation and Sambota Tibetan School Administration, TNSA have so far successfully introduced Under-12 Football Clubs in 20 different schools.

These clubs will undergo training for six years with the support money TNSA offers. Therefore, any Tibetan schools willing to form such clubs in their respective schools that fulfills the terms and conditions of TNSA will receive a sum of Rs.10, 000 (ten thousand) every year towards running the club.

The Tibetan National Sports Association is based in Dharamsala in Northern India .Mrs. Jetsun Pema,

sister of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, was instrumental in the formation of the TNSA in exile. She initiated the move to start the association realizing its potential to energize the youth of Tibet through a natural vehicle to make a difference in just struggle for Tibetan identity and culture. Accordingly, the association was formally formed in May 2002 by pooling in human and financial resources of the Tibetan Children's Villages (TCV) in Dharamshala. The organization's intimate tie-up with TCV organization continues till this day. But, now the time has come for the association to find ways and means to stand on its own and this effort continues even today.

Three Tibetan Monks on the Run Escape into Exile: Update

Dharamshala: Lobsang Norbu, (30), Khedup Gyatso, (24), and Kunga Rinchen (26) are monks from Gonsar Monastery in Dza-Khok Township, Derge County of Kardze "Tibet Autonomous Prefecture ("TAP"), Sichuan Province, who recently took refuge in India. , Please use the link, more detail about the monks

who newly escaped from Tibet.

The three of them have testified to the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), that there is no freedom of religion and expression or basic human rights in Tibet. Exacerbating the matter, the government of China continues to make false and baseless accusations against the Dalai Lama. This led them to carry out a peaceful protest on 10 September 2009 in Za-khok Township and around monastery by putting up posters around the premises of the monastery. They put up the Tibetan national flag and posters stating that Tibet was an independent country.

The three of them wrote their names on the posters. This was so that the other monks and the public would not come

under trouble from the authorities. After that they fled from the monastery hiding in nomadic areas, forest and the hills.

In order to secure the arrest of the three monks, the local Chinese police have announced a reward of 20,000 Yuan to whoever gives information of their whereabouts, but later when they were not able to get any information the reward was increased to 50,000 Yuan. The police are also searching for them around the region.

The fear of arrest has forced them to leave their country on 7 October 2010.

Walking for 23 days from Lhasa through the Nepal-Tibet border, they reached Katmandu on 30 October 2010. They arrived in Dharamsala, India, on 15 November 2010.

TPI DALAI LAMA 3 Tibet Policy Stand Is Not We His Holiness Inaugurates New Kalimpong Win, You Lose: His Holiness Buddhist Temple The Tibet Post

31 December , 2010 Dharamsala

By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaks to devotees before beginning a three-day retreat at the Tashiding monastery in Tashiding, in west Sikkim, India, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010. Photo: TPI

By Tibetan Official Media: Tibet Net

Dharamshala: His Holiness the Dalai Lama has reiterated that his faith in the Chinese people on the issue of Tibet remains unshaken, saying that many Chinese intellectuals and Buddhists fully support the Tibetans' middle-way policy towards achieving genuine autonomy.

"It would be difficult to many Chinese to support our call for complete independence, but our present middleway policy which is not "we win, you lose" kind of stand, would be beneficial to both China and Tibet," His Holiness the Dalai Lama said in his address to Tibetans in Ravangla in India's northeastern state of Sikkim.

"Since the peaceful protest occurred in Tibet in March 2008, Chinese scholars have written over 1,000 articles out of which about 200 were penned by those in Mainland China. All these are 100 per cent in support of our Middle-Way policy and critical of the Chinese government's wrong policies on Tibet," His Holiness said.

His Holiness said a recent survey in China has showed that the country has the largest number of Buddhists in the world totaling more than 300 million.

"Until recently, I have been receiving an un-ending stream of about two to three and sometimes about ten Chinese visitors from the mainland China. During such meetings, with tears in their eyes they beseech me not to forget the Chinese people. Many of them said to me as Chinese they feel ashamed and express apology over the suffering inflicted on Tibetans by the Chinese government, which shows that truth is

on our side," said His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

His Holiness said the Chinese people have great pride in their culture and as a Buddhist nation there are tens and thousands of monasteries and monks in China. Buddhism flourished in China some 400 years before it came to Tibet, but the kind of eminent Buddhist scholars with their great works available in Tibet at that time were very rarely seen in China. When I meet Chinese scholars and talk with them, their standard of knowledge is very poor. As for me, I feel low in my standard when I come in front of a top scholar in Buddhist studies. But my knowledge is not poor when compared with the Chinese Buddhist scholars who come from China. Therefore, it is very important that we should always keep our identity as Tibetans and feel proud of it, he said.

"More than sixty years have passed since the People's Republic of China invaded Tibet, but it has failed to crush the strength and determination of Tibetans either through gentle coaxing or through brutal repression," His Holiness said.

Speaking of his impression of the declining moral behaviour of Tibetans in the exile community, His Holiness urged the Tibetans on the need to be careful on this front and to maintain friendly relations with the local Indian people.

His Holiness was on his fifth visit to Ravangla Tibetan settlement from 18 19 December. He left for the state capital Gangtok on 20 December.

Dharamshala: Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama is on a three-day visit to the Tibetan settlement in Kalimpong, West Bengal State of India, where His Holiness inaugurated the newly built temple of Gaden Tharpa Choeling Monastery on 12 December.

Hundreds of Buddhist devotees including senior officials of the state, local officials and people, and Tibetans living in the areas, monks have gathered on Sunday at the Gaden Tharpa Choeling Monastery to welcome His Holiness to Kalimpong.

As His Holiness started his first-day visit to the monastery after 1959, His Holiness was warmly welcomed by dozens of young costumed Tibetans, monks and students with performing a traditional auspicious dance and songs.

His Holiness sat on a golden throne of the monastery, wrapped in his Buddhist red and gold robes and let out compassion smiles with offering of Mandrel prayers by the abbot of the monastery, Ven. Domo Geshe Rinpoche.

Later, welcome speech was read-out by Mr Phurbu Tsering, secretary of the monastery.

"I am very happy to reach here at the Gaden Tharpa Choeling monastery of Kalimpong, the reason is that historically and culturally, the area of Kalimpong had a long, close and developed relationship

His Holiness the Dalai Lama teaching the "Principals of Path, (Tib: Latso Namsum) at Gaden Tharpa Choeling monastery in Kalimpong, West Bengal, on 13th December 2010.

Photo: TPI

between India and Tibet, this monastery is also one of oldest Tibetan monasteries in India. I have visited the monastery first time in 1956 to attend the 2500th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of Lord Buddha, and then shortly in 1959." said His Holiness.

On 13th December, thousands of Tibetans living in the areas and nearby Kalimpong areas arrived at the monastery, where teachings by His Holiness the Dalai Lama on "the three principal paths Lamtso Namsum and the lifelong empowerment (Tsewang).

Tibet's Leader To Speak of Ancient Wisdom, Modern Thoughts’ in Mumbai

By Emailed by Chime Tenzing, TPI

Dharamsala: Confirming Tibet's spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama's visit to the Mumbai University, director of the Board of College and University Development Dr Rajpal Hande said, "Our invitation to the Dalai Lama has been accepted and he will be coming here on February 18.

His Holiness' visit comes after high profile visit by the US first lady Michelle Obama in November. During her visit Michelle Obama interacted with the university students and visited the university library. She also met with the children from an NGO -"Make A Difference (MAD)".

His Holiness will talk to students on ‘Ancient Wisdom, Modern Thoughts'.

After the lecture, He will spend another hour interacting with students, university officials quoted as saying.

His Holiness will also meet academicians from different departments. More programmes are still being chalked out for the visit.

Before His visit to the varsity in Febuarary, His Holiness would be juggling a busy schedule. On December 30, His Holiness will inaugurate the 78th Teerthandana Sanyasi Sammelan at the Sree Narayana Dharma Sanghom Trust, Sivagiri Mutt, in Kerala. On January 9,

Tibetan Leader Begins Spiritual Retreat and Teachings in Sikkim in Sikkim.

After his arrival at Pelling Helipad, the monks from Pemayangtse Monastery in West Sikkim, which is considered one of the holiest monasteries in Sikkim, conducted the holy ‘Sherbang', a traditional Buddhist ritual during which elaborate dances and prayers are offered in a procession for His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Thousands of people had come out to see the Tibetan spiritual leader and receive his blessings. "The Dalai Lama will meditate at a retreat in Tashi-Teng monastery (West Sikkim) on December

16 and 17. The retreat, Tsam Khang (meditation centre), is constructed and made ready in November. The retreat will be exclusively for His Holiness and the government may later declare it a museum," said Chewang Zangpo Bhutia, Convener of State Reception Committee.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama was then escorted to the Pemayangtse Monastery where he was welcomed by the head of the monastery which houses hundreds of Buddhist monks.

From the Pemayangtse Monastery -near the Rabdentse ruins which is also

Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama will visit four areas of Northeastern states of India, Sikkim and West Bengal, December 12-24, 2010, at which time His Holiness will offer lectures on world peace, teachings of Buddhism, confer empowerment, participate in a conference on Brain and Mind, and take part in long life prayer offering ceremonies. His Holiness will also give the inaugural address at the conference on science and spiritualism to host by the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Sikkim.

the second ancient capital of Sikkim -The Tibetan spiritual leader then flew to Tashi-Teng Monastery where he will be staying till December 17.

On December 18, His Holiness will visit the town of Ravangla in South Sikkim where he was scheduled to address a congregation of people at the Tibetan settlement there. On the same day he is scheduled to visit the Ralong Monastery, probably the oldest monastery in Sikkim built during the late 1600's. His itinerary then includes a visit to Gangtok where he is scheduled to

address a seminar.

The next day, he will take part in a blessing ceremony at the underconstruction Buddha Park at Rabong, south Sikkim, before flying back to Gangtok. State government is erecting a 135 feet statue of Lord Buddha in the park, which is scheduled to be completed April next year. The statue will be the largest one of Buddha in India and the project is aimed at boosting Buddhist pilgrimage tourism in Sikkim. His Holiness will complete his eight day visit to Sikkim on December 22.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Celebrates TCV's Golden Jubilee on Monday, 01 November 2010, Dharamshala, India.

Photo: TPI

His Holiness will speak on the different levels of happiness at the 30th anniversary of Tushita Dharma Celebrations in New Delhi.

The two-day function of Kerala will also be attended by former President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, Kerala Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, Karnataka Higher Education Minister V S Acharya, SNDP General Secretary Vellappalli Natesan, Goa Transport Minister Sudin Ramakrishnan, Dr Vandana Siva, among others.

His Holiness will also conduct a meet on Shantideva's ‘A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life' and Kamalashila's ‘The Middling States of Meditation' between January 12 and 16 in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

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31 December , 2010 Dharamsala

TPI INTERNATIONAL

Solidarity With Liu Xiaobo: Tibet Support Groups Protest in Berlin

Liu Xiaobo to his wife Liu Xia: "...my love is solid and sharp, capable of piercing through any obstacle. Even if I were crushed into powder, I would still use my ashes to embrace you." Photo:The Huffington Post

By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

Berlin: On December 10th, Tibet support groups worldwide declared their solidarity with the imprisoned Nobel Peace Price winner Liu Xiaobo at the International Day for Human Rights. In Berlin the "Tibet Initiative Deutschland (TID)" protested together with the "Gesellschaft fĂźr bedrohte VĂślker (GfbV)" in front of the Chinese embassy. Over 150 people joined the demonstration. Moreover, the regional

groups of TID conducted pickets, actions and protests nationwide. In Hamburg, for example, there was a well attended reading of Tsering Woeser's work with the German actor Peter Lohmeyer.

"Liu Xiaobo has repeatedly spoken out for the right of self-determination of the Tibetan people and the Sino-Tibetan Dialogue", said TID`s Executive Director Nadine Baumann. Fundamental political reforms in China would also be

necessary for an improvement of the terrible human rights situation in Tibet.

Human rights activist and president emeritus of the independent Pen Writers Club Liu Xiaobo is currently serving an 11-year sentence because, as co-writer of Charta 08, he called for the implementation of free elections, division of powers and federal structures in China. He had also been sentenced to three years reeducation camp in 1996 for supporting the Tibetan people's right to self-determination and the dialogue with the Dalai Lama alongside reforms.

Hundreds of innocent Tibetans are currently imprisoned. Additionally, intellectuals, publicists, writers and environmental activists have recently been the victims of enhanced harassment by the Chinese authorities in Tibet. The Tibetan author Tsering Woeser, who lives in Peking, estimates the number of new arrests to be up to 70 persons. "For example, the environmental activist Karma Sandrup was sentenced to fifteen years, was refused a fair trial and was heavily tortured", said Baumann.

The Tibet Initiative Deutschland (TID), founded in 1989, advocates for the Tibetan people's right to selfdetermination and the protection of human rights in occupied Tibet. With 60 regional groups and nearly 2,000 members througout Germany, the TID is a strong voice for Tibet. Primary funding for the TID comes from membership dues and private, individual donations.

Reporters Without Borders New Chinese-website Goes Online

By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

information to Chinese-speakers. Access to the site was blocked inside China soon after its launch in 2005 but it has been getting tens of thousands of readers each year.

According to an RSF press release, "The new version of the site has its press releases and reports about current press freedom issues, especially those that concern China, lots of information about the 2010 Nobel peace laureate, Liu Xiaobo, a frequently updated press

review, photos that have not been published elsewhere, surprising interviews, and petitions for the release of journalists, bloggers and free speech defenders who are in prison in China."

You can also follow the activities of Reporters Without Borders on this Chinese-language Twitter account: http:/ /twitter.com/rsfasia2 RSF Chinese-language website can be accessed from within China by using proxies or VPNs. To learn how to circumvent censorship in a relatively simple manner, consult this Reporters

Without Borders handbook: http:// en.rsf.org/spip.php?page=art...

The Reporters Without Borders defends journalists imprisoned or persecuted for doing their job and expose the mistreatment and torture of them in at least 140 countries all over the world.

RFS is present in all five continents through its national branches (in Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland), its offices in New York, Tokyo and Washington, and the more than 120 correspondents it has in other countries.

Wikileaks: His Holiness Says Tibet Is A Dying, We Need US Help "the sympathy of the Indian public."

India, he said, had been "a generally supportive home" to Tibetan exiles and His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader.

Yet officials acknowledged the tough balancing act the government faced, as they came under increasing pressure from Beijing to clamp down on protests as the Olympic torch prepared to make its way through New Delhi.

The cable, part of the latest batch of documents released by WikiLeaks, indicated that the U.S. believed that the Indian government would ultimately favour "the side with greater public support."

"While the GoI [Government of India] will never admit it, we expect New Delhi's Balancing Act with India's Tibetans to continue for the foreseeable future, with the caveat that a rise in violence - either

by Tibetans here or by the Chinese security forces in Tibet - could quickly tip the balance in favour of the side with greater public support," the embassy's

political counsellor wrote.

The U.S. believed India would continue "to walk the razor's edge between Beijing and Dharamshala." "It cannot afford to antagonise the former, but it has a sacred obligation to the latter," the cable said.

The cables also highlight the prominent role played by U.S. officials in liaising between exiled Tibetan groups, the Indian government and Beijing. U.S. officials regularly met with envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who advised the U.S. government on whether or not to pressure India to take a harder line on China.

In one meeting, Mr. Menon assured the U.S. Ambassador that arrested Tibetan protesters, some of whom tried to scale the walls of the Chinese embassy in New Delhi in the lead-up to the Olympic torch relay, would be released.

In another, His Holiness the Dalai Lama's special envoy Lodi Gyari advised U.S. officials "to positively react" to India's measured statement in the aftermath of

the protests, saying that India had "understandable compulsions, and it's better than the past when no statements were issued."

Another cable, issued on April 10, illustrated His Holiness the Dalai Lama's increasing desperation over Tibet's future, following the March violence.

"Tibet is a dying nation. We need America's help," he told U.S. officials.

The exiled Tibetan leader did, however, express confidence that China was still open to having dialogue with him, citing his interactions with an unnamed Chinese scholar.But in a later meeting in New Delhi in August with U.S. Ambassador Timothy Roemer, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said the political issues in Tibet could wait and "should be sidelined for five to ten years."

Addressing environmental issues was a more pressing issue for the international community. His changed message, U.S. officials noted, "may signal a broader shift in strategy to reframe the Tibet issue as an environmental concern."

The Tibet Post

WikiLeaks: China Pays Nepal to Crackdown on Tibetan Refugees

By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

Dharmshala: The China's communist regime has used its financial muscle to pay off the Nepal government to crackdown on Tibetan refugees living in Nepal, according to secret US cables published by WikiLeaks.

Cables released by the whistle-blower website show an unnamed source of the US Embassy in New Delhi repeatedly claiming that "Chinese government rewards Nepali forces by providing financial incentives to officers who hand over Tibetans attempting to exit China".

"XXX reiterated this belief to PolOff (Political Officer) during a XXX meeting in Delhi, stating ''the Chinese government rewards (Nepali forces)'' by providing financial incentives to officers who hand over Tibetans attempting to exit China," according to the cable dated February 22, 2010 from New Delhi.

The US Embassy memo sent to US Department of State under the title ''Delhi Diary'' and classified as ''confidential'' has an update on Tibetan refugee flow that described a meeting of the source with Political Officer on February 4.

The Wikileaks, which is releasing 250,000 American diplomatic cables, has cut out the names of people mentioned as the source.

The number of Tibetans entering India had decreased over the last few years, amid mounting pressure on the government as ?Beijing has asked Kathmandu to step up patrols of Nepali border forces and make it more difficult for Tibetans to enter Nepal," according to the cables also reported by myrepublica online, the website of Nepali

daily Republica.

It said the number of Tibetans entering India "markedly decreased after March 2008 uprising".

Nepal is home to around 20,000 exiled Tibetans and the capital has been the scene of several anti-China protests since the 2008 unrest in Lhasa.

Nepal has been under pressure from Western nations to allow the protests-and from China to stop them. Beijing has repeatedly asked Nepal to better control the Tibetan refugees within its borders and stop the protests.

These protests have been a source of embarrassment to Nepal''s government, which wants strong ties with China.

Nepal supports ''one-China policy'' that views Tibet as an integral part of China.

It has repeatedly assured its giant northern neighbour that it will not allow its territory to be used against it.

Nepal has stepped up security and warned Tibetans exiles against organising anti-China protests.

Despite tight security enforced by the Nepalese and Chinese government in the border areas, every year 2,500-3000 Tibetans cross the border on their way to meet the Dalai Lama in the Indian town of Dharamshala, where he is based since fleeing from his motherland in 1959.

Canada Sponsors Immigration for 1000 Tibetan Refugees

A Tibetan refugee school girl ready to perform traditional Tibetan dance during world human rights day, Dharamshala, India.

Photo: TPI

By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

Dharamsala: Tibetans living in remote areas of Arunachal Pradesh bordering neighbouring China could soon fly their way into Canada. Government of Canada has agreed to facilitate immigration of Tibetans living in Arunachal Pradesh.

Canadian government's initiative came following the request from Tibet's exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama to settle Tibetans inhabiting remote areas, many of them inaccessible by roads.

"His Holiness the Dalai Lama had been moved by the plight of Tibetan exiles inhabiting the remote areas of Arunachal Pradesh which are underdeveloped as compared to other settlements in India," senior bureaucrat in Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) at its headquarters here told Hindustan Times while he confirmed Canadian government latest immigration programme proposed for Tibetans.

Under proposed programme, Canadian government would facilitate immigration

of at least 1000 Tibetans refugees from Aruanchal Pradesh in next five years.

Sources say that soon the Canadian government would work out on immigration process with Indian government in consultation with Dalai Lama's Tibetan government-in-exile.

There are 39 Tibetan settlements across India, and three of them are located in Arunachal Pradesh which includes Bomdila, Tezu Tenzingang.

All the three are located on route followed by Dalai Lama to enter India after he escaped from Tibet when Chinese troops marched into Lhasa in 1959. Estimated 80,000 Tibetans followed Dalai Lama to India. Dalai Lama who was conferred with Nobel Prize for peace seeks more autonomy the China administered Tibet.

This is not the first time Canada has assisted Tibetans. In 1972, Canada established the Tibetan Refugee Programme and resettled approximately 230 Tibetans in Canada who had been living in Northern India. Tibetan officials say that government of Canada will develop special immigration.

"Tibetans selected under would require to meet Canada's requirements for immigration, including security, criminal, medical and background checks" said an official.

Canadian government offer came three years after Nepalese government rejected United States sponsored immigration program for Tibetans.

United States program had hit the road block, as the coalition government led

by Maoist refused to grant exit visa to the Tibetans living in Nepal.

Continues on Page 5

TPI TIBET

The Tibet Post

31 December , 2010 Dharamsala

5

China Sentences Buddhist Tibetan Writer Speaks Out on Tibet Monk to Three Year Crackdown and Kyigudo Quake Prison Term

By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

Sungrab Gyatso. Photo: Tibetan Center for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD)

By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: A Chinese court called "Kanlho Intermediate People's Court" sentenced Sungrab Gyatso, a monk of Mu-ra Monastery, eastern Tibet to three years prison term on 16 December 2010; said a report published on Monday (20 December by India based Tibetan Human Right group.

Sungrab Gyatso was first arrested on 17 March 2008 from Machu County and was released after few days. On 18 May 2008 he was arrested again from Machu County but released. The last arrest was done on 25 March 2010 from Machu County and has been in prison till now.

Tibetan Center for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) said tha the Continues from Page 4 "American programmes had suffered set back as Nepalese government became reluctant to give exit visa to exiles" said CTA's Cabinet Secretary Migyur Dorje.

The Bush administration had offered to settle as many as 1000 Tibetans exiles, particularly those whose kins had participated in American sponsored covert guerrilla war against Chinese led from Mustang in Nepal.

Covert war met an abrupt end when the Dalai Lama sent a recorded message in 1972 appealing the guerrillas warriors to give up weapons, many of them offended committed suicide and other took up petty professions like working on the roadside. It is estimated that at least 20,000 Tibetans are currently living in Nepal, but the actual number could be well over 30,000.

Of these, less than 20,000 are believed to have Registration certificate and new regulations enforced by Nepalese government is making it increasingly difficult for exiles to obtain and renew RC's on an annual basis.

Nepal stopped allowing Tibetan refugees to settle in its land following diplomatic pressure after a flood of refugees fled in the wake of the 1987-89 Lhasa protestsTibetans living in remote areas of Arunachal Pradesh bordering neighbouring China could soon fly their way into Canada. Government of Canada has agreed to facilitate immigration of Tibetans living in Arunachal Pradesh.

Canadian government's initiative came following the request from Tibet's exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama to settle Tibetans inhabiting remote areas, many of them inaccessible by roads.

"His Holiness the Dalai Lama had been moved by the plight of Tibetan exiles inhabiting the remote areas of Arunachal

Chinese authorities accused him to be the leader of the peaceful protest by the students in Machu County in March 2010.

Sungrab Gyatso, age 34, born in Mu-ra region, is a monk of Mu-ra Monastery in Machu County, eastern Tibet, 'Kanlho Prefecture ‘Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture' ‘(TAP)' Kansu. He is the editor of Rewa-kang-lam (Tib translation: March of Hope) magazine, also a member of the Bod-amae-rangke-larso-tsokpa (tib trans: mother-tongue restoration) association. He is also a teacher at the Tsa-thang bod yig yig-mo sel-wae lobdae (tib trans: Eliminating the ignorance of Tibetan language in Tsathang) school.

Pradesh which are underdeveloped as compared to other settlements in India," senior bureaucrat in Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) at its headquarters here told Hindustan Times while he confirmed Canadian government latest immigration programme proposed for Tibetans.

Under proposed programme, Canadian government would facilitate immigration of at least 1000 Tibetans refugees from Aruanchal Pradesh in next five years.

Sources say that soon the Canadian government would work out on immigration process with Indian government in consultation with Dalai Lama's Tibetan government-in-exile.

There are 39 Tibetan settlements across India, and three of them are located in Arunachal Pradesh which includes Bomdila, Tezu Tenzingang.

All the three are located on route followed by Dalai Lama to enter India after he escaped from Tibet when Chinese troops marched into Lhasa in 1959. Estimated 80,000 Tibetans followed Dalai Lama to India. Dalai Lama who was conferred with Nobel Prize for peace seeks more autonomy the China administered Tibet.

This is not the first time Canada has assisted Tibetans. In 1972, Canada established the Tibetan Refugee Programme and resettled approximately 230 Tibetans in Canada who had been living in Northern India. Tibetan officials say that government of Canada will develop special immigration.

"Tibetans selected under would require to meet Canada's requirements for immigration, including security, criminal, medical and background checks" said an official.

Canadian government offer came three years after Nepalese government rejected United States sponsored

Dharamshala: - "I often lose my patience and tolerance when I was reacting to against China's harsh policies toward Tibetan people that aggravating the extremely tense situation in Tibet," said Mr. Gedun Tsering, (20), a Tibetan writer and former teacher from Serdeu Township, Marthang County of Amdho Ngaba region of Tibet (Ch: Changrig Tibet Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province), who recently took refuge in India. In the books, he and several other Tibetan writers have focused the facts and figures on China's continuous violence against the Tibetans inside Tibet.

Tsering safely managed to escape from Tibet recently, currently he became one of newest Tibetan refugee in Indian hill town of Dharamshala where Tibetan government in exile based. Speaking to The Tibet Post International (TPI), he said the communist regime accused him of inciting separatism. Since January 2010, he was hiding almost one year in the hills and mountains of Ngaba region, eastern Tibet after Chinese authorities found several books and what they write allegedly on the grounds of "inciting activities to split the nation".

The writers involved in the writing of the books and magazine were claimed of having political motivation in various Tibet issues. But, Tsering said that articles of the books and magazines have much more experimental and reality in their opinions. 'The Tears' (Tib: Migchu), "The Tongue (Che), 'The Alive Eye' (Sonmig) and 'Peaceful Struggles' (Shiwai Drakgol) were accused of "inciting political activities.

While Asking him about the difficulties of the writing 'The Alive Eye' and 'The Tears' in Tibet, Tsering said "I thought you may never know what good immigration program for Tibetans.

United States program had hit the road block, as the coalition government led

by Maoist refused to grant exit visa to the Tibetans living in Nepal.

"American programmes had suffered set back as Nepalese government became reluctant to give exit visa to exiles" said CTA's Cabinet Secretary Migyur Dorje.

The Bush administration had offered to settle as many as 1000 Tibetans exiles, particularly those whose kins had participated in American sponsored covert guerrilla war against Chinese led from Mustang in Nepal.

Covert war met an abrupt end when the Dalai Lama sent a recorded message in 1972 appealing the guerrillas warriors to give up weapons, many of them offended committed suicide and other took up petty professions like working on the roadside. It is estimated that at least 20,000 Tibetans are currently living in Nepal, but the actual number could be well over 30,000.

Of these, less than 20,000 are believed to have Registration certificate and new regulations enforced by Nepalese government is making it increasingly difficult for exiles to obtain and renew RC's on an annual basis.

Nepal stopped allowing Tibetan refugees to settle in its land following diplomatic pressure after a flood of refugees fled in the wake of the 1987-89 Lhasa protests.

Gedun Tsering who recently arrived in India from Tibet at the Tibetan Reception Center, Dharamshala, India, on 22 December 2010. Photo: TPI

were preparing to distribute the books, actually it was on 1st January 2010, over 5000 books and magazines have been widely distributed in many areas in Tibet. But lately the Chinese authorities accused us of instigating to split the motherland.

"I and seven other Tibetan writers also have composed a book called 'The Tongue' (Tib: Che) basically focus on recent massive earthquake in Kyigudo in eastern Tibet that has killed so many people and later we distributed book." he said. "The Chinese authorities did not allowing us to visit quake affected areas, we heard they were crying, their voices were just heard from where they trapped under the rubble. The authorities also denied many other Tibetan journalists," Tsering further told TPI. Speaking to TPI about 'The Alive Eye', Tsering said, "countless Tibetans have lost their life by Struggling for Truth and Justice in Tibet during 2008 peaceful demonstrations in all parts of Tibet. He said ."We expressed how we were suffered, angered and hatred the Chinese authorities and failed to keep of our patience and tolerance toward those communist authorities who carried out widespread persecution and massacre of the Tibetans in their homeland."

results come out if you merely protest in the streets and villages, but if you do nothing there will be no result, we have decided to create a platform of media including Tibetan newspapers and magazines for our voices to be Heard, get our voice by the world.

Therefore, the books mainly focused 2008-2010 events in Tibet; including the peaceful demonstration in all parts of Tibet, China's crackdown since March 2008, and protest contradicts Chinese state controlled media propaganda on Tibet issue."

Tsering stressed that all of the Tibetan popular websites and blogs where Tibetan scholars, monks and students usually publish their articles were shutdown by Chinese authorities, China accused them of inciting separatism because of their opinions on Tibet. Nowadays in Tibet, there is no perfect news websites and blogs where Tibetans can access information and write their opinions. Too much restrictions on freedom of the press and freedom of speech.

In this, 'The Alive Eye', we have written some opinions on importance of environmental protection in Tibet and as well as the preservation and promotion of the Tibetan culture," said Tsering. "I and my colleagues from various parts of Tibet discussed and

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

Contributors for this Editon YC. Dhardhowa Mathew Sign Toor Sangay Dorjee James Dunn Pema Tso Amy Elmgren, The Tibet Post International Himalayan Literacy Trust (Head Office) 1st Floor, Dolkhang House, Jogiwara Road, Mcleod Ganj, Dharamsala, Distt. Kangra H.P 176219 India

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

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31 December , 2010 Dharamsala

TPI PEACE & BUDDHISM

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Clarifies Statement on Retirement

His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking to reporters in Kalimpong, West Bengal, India, on 14 December 2010/OHHDL Photo

By Tibetan Official Media: Tibet Net

Dharamshala: "More than 99 per cent of Tibetans in and outside Tibet trust me, so I have the moral responsibility to serve them. My call for complete retirement does not mean that I will forget the Tibetan struggle. I am a Tibetan and every Tibetan has the moral obligation to carry out our own struggle," His Holiness told reporters in Kalimpong yesterday. (watch video) His Holiness said some Tibetans living inside Tibet express anxiety and confusion over his retirement plans. "I want to hand over the ceremonial role such as signing of legislatures and documents to the democratically elected leadership.

But some Tibetans inside Tibetan are anxious and confused that the Dalai Lama is now no longer interested about the Tibetan struggle. No, it is not," he said.

He reiterated that efforts to resolve the

issue of Tibet would remain one of his three commitments.

He spoke about his efforts to bring democratic reforms in Tibet before 1959 and later in exile.

Since my childhood I always admire the system of democracy. In 1952, I started reform committee and some reforms were carried out. Then after 1959 while in exile we had set up own organisation set up as the Central Tibetan Administration. We started the process of democratisation and put in place elected political leadership in 2001.

"I always tell the elected Tibetan leadership to take full responsibility as if there is no Dalai Lama and they are doing it," he said.

(Based on report filed by Sheja Editor Kelsang Khudup from Kalimpong)

China Never Respects Cultures of Tibet and Its People: His Holiness

The Tibet Post

Peace Must Come Through Our Actions: H.H the Dalai Lama

By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

Gangtok: Tibetans are the real holders of Nalanda tradition and are true followers of Indian gurus (teachers) said Spiritual leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama while delivering his opening address at the International Conference for Science, Spirituality and Education held on December 20th, 2010 in Gangtok, Sikkim.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama talks about the changing role of science. "Academic and knowledge level, modern science in field of external things are highly developed, and really remarkable. Yet, as everybody's experience, very little knowledge on inner science of human mind, inner peace, and mental stability," His Holiness said.

Nobel Peace laureate and Tibetan spiritual leader further said that world peace cannot be achieved only through prayers and blessings. "World peace cannot come through prayers or through blessings; peace must come through our actions.

Action is more important than prayers or blessings," he added.

His Holiness also said that it is the duty of the people to protect various kinds of faith and religion. He underlined the importance of spiritualism alongside the knowledge of modern sciences and technologies.

The international seminar is an effort of the State government to infuse formal education in Sikkim with refined ethics for the new millennium and grooming a generation of responsible citizens compassionate at heart, informs a press communique from the organizers. A host of scholars and spiritual masters from the world is attending the four days seminar which will conclude on December 23.

Tibetan leader will also participate in the interactive session on December 22.

During the two hours long session, His Holiness will deliberate with the

His Holiness the Dalai Lama talks about the changing role of science while delivering his opening address at the International Conference for Science, Spirituality and Education held in Gangtok, Sikkim, India, on December 20th, 2010. Photo: TPI

Hundreds of scientists, scholars and other dinigtaries gathering at the International Conference for Science, Spirituality and Education held on December 20th, 2010 in Gangtok, Sikkim. Photo: TPI

panelists and imparting guidance on how moral ethics would be introduced into the modern education system, the release informs.

"This is the first ever effort in India to blend traditional wisdom with modern

science to introduce lessons in morals and ethics with a pronounced scientific approach in schools in the State," said Pema Wangchuk Dorjee, the media consultant for the seminar in the press statement.

His Holiness Successfully Concludes 10-Day Visit To Eastern Himalayas

By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama spins the prayer wheel of a devotee before beginning a three-day long retreat at the Tashiding monastery in Tashiding, in west Sikkim, India, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010.

By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama reached Tibetan settlement at Ravangla, South Sikkim, Saturday, December 18, where a huge gathering of devotees and followers were waiting for him with great enthusiasm. His Holiness spent more than four hours there with the Tibetan refugees.

In an informal talk with the Ministers and the district officials, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said that the protest and the revolution of Tibetan people demanding free Tibet was genuine. He said that the communist government of China never respects the traditions and cultures of Tibet and its people and Continues on Page 7

Dharamshala: Tibet's spiritual and religious leader His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama successfully concludes his 10-day visit to eastern Himalayan regions of Sikkim and West-Bengal.

His Holiness taught on Gyalsey Thokme Sangpo's 37 Practices of A Bodhisattva (laklen sodunma) on the afternoon of December 23 and confer an Avalokiteshvera Initiation (chenresig wang) on the morning of December 24 at Sed-Gyued Monastery.

Tibetan leader on Friday at Sed-Gyued Institute of Buddhist Studies, at Salugara, on the last leg of his Sikkim-West Bengal visit. His Holiness said any kind of differences between the conflicting parties could be broken though dialogues.

"We consider the young genre as citizens of this century who will live in the future years. The last century was one of bloodshed and we want this century to be a century of dialogues. We have firm belief in the spirit of dialogues and feel that all conflicts and differences can be

resolved through talks and not bloodshed. The new generation should understand the potential of holding dialogues and adopt it as a process to eliminate differences," the Buddhist temporal leader said.

His Holiness also spoke about the IndoChina relations and said their friendship and goodwill would benefit the people of both the countries. " Both are important countries in the world and need to have a good relationship," he said.

The 75-year-old His Holiness the14th Dalai Lama said his ten days sojourn in the region was very pleasant and appealed all sections of people to respect each other value and tradition to make their life meaningful.

The Tibetan spiritual leader, who left for Delhi after a 10-day visit to north Bengal and Sikkim on Friday, spoke to the media at the Himalayan Buddhist Cultural School on the Kalchakra palace premises in Salugara for a while. "My basic belief is that first you need to realize the usefulness of compassion, that's the key factor. Once

Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaks to journalists at the Buddhist cutural school of Salugara on the outskirts of Siliguri on December 24, 2010.

The Dalai Lama advocates the 21st century as 'Century of Dialogue' to eradicate differences and also stated that the youth would shape the 21st century, as part of his his final day visit in Salugara, India's West Bengal state after teachings to followers in Sikkim and Kalimpong. Photo: AP

you accept the fact that compassion is not something childish or sentimental, once you realize that compassion is something really worthwhile and realize its deeper value, then you immediately develop an attraction towards it, a willingness to cultivate it." said His Holiness.

TPI TIBET IN EXILE 7 Conference in the Light of Chi- Chinese Premier's India Visit nese Premier’s India Visit Faces Tibetan Protests The Tibet Post

31 December , 2010 Dharamsala

By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

International Support Groups conference held in Delhi, India. Photo: TPI

Delhi: December 15, 2010; New Delhi; On the first day of the three-day state visit of Chinese Premier Wen Jaibao to New Delhi, four Tibetan nongovernmental organizations will organize a panel discussion taking stock of complex - India-Tibet-China triangular relations. At a time when India is in compelling situations created by China's tremendous political, military, economical and geopolitical pressures on India, the discussion coordinated by International Tibet Network will provide an overview of and rethink the 60 year old India's Sino-Tibet policy. The Organizers are the Tibetan Women's Association, Gu Chu Sum Movement of Tibet, and Students for a Free TibetIndia and National Democratic Party of Tibet.

The discussion will be held at the Casurana Hall, India Habitat Centre, and it will be chaired by Major General (Retd) Vinod Saighal and will be addressed by three keynote speakers; Mr. Mohan Guruswamy, China expert and director of Centre for Policy Alternatives, Shmt.

Jaya Jaitley, former President of Samata Party and a social activist and Mr. Tempa Tsering, Minister, Tibetan Government in Exile and the New Delhi representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

"At a time when the bilateral ChinaIndia relation is hitting an all-time low and there are concerted efforts from both sides to salvage the ties and strengthen relations, it is of paramount

importance for both the Asian giants to address the Tibet issue which is the core issue," said Kirti Dolkar Lhamo, president of the Tibetan Women's Association, the largest women's organization-in-exile.

"The panel discussion intends to rethink the key and core issue of Tibet and facilitate an in-depth discussion while the Chinese Premier will be making errands with a 400 Chinese businessmen entourage" said Lukar Jam, Vice President of Gu Chu Sum, which is a Tibetan association of former political prisoners of Tibet.

The historical buffer zone between India and China, Tibet is 2.5 million Sq Km; two third of India's total landmass of 3.2 million Sq Km. "It is noteworthy that while India accepts the Chinese sovereignty over Tibet, India also acknowledges Tibet as a buffer zone and that all border disputes stems from the Chinese occupation of Tibet", said Tenzin Choedon, National Director of Students for a Free Tibet, India, which is the national network of Students for a Free Tibet International.

"The conference intends to take a closer look at the Indian Government's stand on the Chinese occupied Tibet and review its substantiated policy" said Chime Yungdrung, the President of National Democratic Party of Tibet, which is the only political party in the Tibetan Community in exile.

The conference will also see the participation by Indian opinion makers from quarters of academics, politicians and public intellectuals.

hence the 60 years long demand and revolution is just. The people of Tibet have their own right of religion which China is not allowing and, hence, this struggle of Tibetan people throughout the world to get their self respect back, His Holiness further added.

Speaking on Buddhism, His Holiness said that Buddhism teaches us to live a holy life. "Everything is the result of one's own doing", he said, adding, "this is the core of the teaching in Buddhism".

He said, "one who always visits Gonpa (monastery), performs prayer and takes Buddha Darsan (prayers) cannot be taken as true follower of Buddhism; the teachings of Lord Buddha should be practiced in every individual devotee's life. Buddhism teaches us to live a holy and respectable life so that one can feel the presence of Lord Buddha inside" which, he said, was the "true worship of Lord Buddha".

His Holiness further said, there are a number of religions in the present world

which can be categorized into two - one having vision and another without any visions. He said the major religions like Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism are the religions having vast visions and hence the people should learn the principles of such religions and practice in their day to day life to live a holy and spiritual life. His Holiness urged the devotees to give equal respect to all the religions of the world.

At Ravangla His Holiness was reverentially welcomed by the Assembly Speaker KT Gyaltsen, Ministers CB Karki, DN Thakarpa, Neeru Sewa, Tilu Gurung, MLAs, Sonam Gyatso Bhutia, Binod Rai, Political Secretary to Chief Minsiter KN Rai, Zilla Adhyaksha South Rabi Chandra Gurung, Upadhyaksha Himal Tamang, Chairman Namchi Municipal Council BT Tamang, DC and SP South and the officials of South District.

On the occasion, the Tibetans of

By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

region of Himalaya."

Tibetans staged demonstrations against Wen Jiabao in New Delhi asking China to leave Tibet. Protesters shouted slogans against Jiabao and China saying that "Tibet is not belong to China," "Free Tibet," "Long live the Dalai Lama" and "Wakeup UNO." Speaking to Times of India, the prime minister of Tibet, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche said, "In fact, there is no SinoIndia border. Tibet is intertwined with the boundary problem between these two countries.There needs to be a political will in both India and China to resolve the boundary dispute." He however added that China had been all along more rigid on the issue. He said, "Unless the question of Tibet hangs in balance it is wishful thinking to hope for a lasting peace in the region."

Tibetan Youth Congress, the largest of Tibetan NGO stands for Independence of Tibet have planned three- day sit in protest at Jantar Mantar to draw the attention towards half -a- century old unresolved Tibetan Issue. Other Tibetan support groups including organization of political prisoners - GuChu- Sum, Tibetan Woman Association (TWA), Student for Free Tibet (SFT) and National Democratic Party of Tibet (NDPT) organised a conference at Delhi with Indian intellectuals writers and Political leaders.

Chinese premier Wen Jabao's poster with shoes, denouncing Chinese policy toward Tibetans inside Tibet, New Delhi on 15th December 2010. Photo: TPI

"Our action here today sends a clear message to Wen Jiabao that the youth of this nation will not tolerate China's blatant attempt to colonize parts of India, nor will we remain silent while China continues to brutally suppress the Tibetan people," Shibayan Raha, Grassroots Director of Students for a Free Tibet - India told Hindustan Times.

Over 1,000 people marched from Rajghat to Jantar Mantar where they held a protest meet. They carried placards that read: Free Tibet Wen, Free Tibet Now. Police said that enough security personals were deployed outside the

Chinese embassy and other key positions across the country.

India is the second home to around 94,203 Tibetan exiles including Nobel Peace Prize winner and Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorjee after Chinese occupation over Tibet.

Mr. Wen said $16 billion of deals between the two countries would be announced along with his visit to India.

Some of the total included finalizations or financings of deals already under way.

Tibetan Monk Honoured with Prestigious Bharat Jyoti Award

BY Tibetan Official Media: Tibet Net

Dharamshala: His Eminence Mindrolling Khenchen Rinpoche, the second highest spiritual head of Mindrolling lineage, was honoured with the Bharat Jyoti Award in New Delhi on 4 December.

A battery of dignitaries, including cabinet ministers of both the centre and state government, Members of Parliament, industrialists, social workers and intellectuals, were present during the award ceremony at the conference on "Global Participation in India's Economic Development" organised by India International Friendship Society.

The award is conferred on those extraordinary men and women who have rendered excellent service in the fields of science and technology, education, industry, fine arts, politics and social works.

Minling Khenchen Rinpoche was

among the few to receive this award for his excellence in meritorious service, outstanding performance and remarkable role at this young age age in different countries.

Ravangla Settlement presented their traditional cultural .

Later his Holiness went to the construction site of Buddha Park, Ravangla, where he spent the night at guest house. There the devotees yarned for a holy prayers of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and blessings from him.

Among the devotees were a good

number of foreign devotees, Cabinet Ministers of Sikkim Government and Government Officials of South District.

Preparations are on for public sermon of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Paljor Stadium on December 21 and 22 where the organizers are expecting an attendance of more than 30,000 devotees including those from outside Sikkim.

His Eminence Mindrolling Khenchen Rinpoche, the second highest spiritual head of Mindrolling lineage, was honoured with the Bharat Jyoti Award in New Delhi on 4 December.

As the founder of the Mindrolling Eastern Sun Group Lay Association, he attributed the award to the kind support and hard work of all the members of the association. He is also the vice-chairman of world peace prayer ceremony.

Born in 1970, Minling Khenchen Rinpoche was recognised at a very young age as the reincarnation of Minling Khenchen Ngawang Khenrab Gyatso. He received numerous spiritual teachings from eminent teachers, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He currently heads the Mindroling Ngagyur Nyima College located in Dehradun in northern India.

8

31 December , 2010 Dharamsala

TPI INTERNATIONAL

Tibetans in Europe Urge China to Release Liu Xiobo

Tibetans from various NGOs based in Europe holding demonstration in Brussels, the capital of Belgium, on 10th December 2010. Photo: TPI

By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

Brussels: An international peaceful demonstration for Freedom, Democracy and Human Rights held in Brussels, cpaital of Belgium, on 10th December 2010. On the occasion of the International Human Rights Day, a coalition of United Nations for a Free Tibet (UNFFT), the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress Belgium (RTYC Belgium) and the Free China from CCP Alliance Europe has organized an international peaceful demonstration for Freedom, Democracy and Human Rights (FDHR) on December 10 in Brussels, Belgium.

In front of the European Council, representatives of the coalition made an impressive statement to highlight the imprisonment of thousands of prisoners of conscience in China, Tibet and other dictatorial regimes. And later, the coalition made a freedom march for human rights to the Chinese embassy, followed by a demonstration there. 45 people participated in this action of which 10 westerners.

Dennis Barbion, UNFFT Ambassador for Belgium and Europe and board member of the Free China from CCP Alliance Europe, made a welcome speech and asked for one minute of silence "to commemorate all the victims of dictatorial regimes who have died, who are still imprisoned or who suffer in another way."

Meanwhile he gave more information about this action that will be held on December 10 each year. "We are gathered here today out of concern for human rights. People of several nationalities, countries and religions are here together now. Our common interest

for human rights has brought us together. The human rights issue has nothing to do with nationalities nor religions but with humanity in general."• Mrs. Zhimin Tang described what she has experienced since the student protests in 1989. She was kidnapped several times by the Chinese authorities. "When I was kidnapped by the Chinese Security Police in 2005, I had to sign a contract in which I stated that I would not support the Dalai Lama, that I would not support the Falun Gong, that I would not support Taiwan, that I would not support the Uyghur people and that I would not fight against the CCP. Now I stand here today and I say loud and clearly, and especially to the Chinese Communist goverment: I do support the Dalai Lama! I do support the Falun Gong! I do support Taiwan! I do support the Uyghur, and I do support everyone who struggles against the CCP in order to get freedom! Damn CCP!."

Mrs. Zhimin Tang also warned the Western politicians and businessmen to think again about their coorperation with the CCP, "because the People's Republic of China is the Chinese Communist Party and it's not China. The Chinese communist leaders are not representative for the Chinese citizens."

Mona stated: "Do not help the CCP persecuting the Chinese people, please choose to support the Chinese people."• "Repeatedly I have been threatened. I'm not against China, I'm for freedom and human rights and the CCP is responsable for this. "I also want the world to know that the Tibetan issue is not only political. It is more than that.

In fact it's an issue of freedom of belief, because the CCP misuses China and the Chinese people to destroy the belief in Buddha!"

Afterwards, Karma Tsering, the President of the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, held a short speech in Tibetan. "Today is Human Rights Day. This is a very important day. There are no human rights in China and Tibet. In Tibet it's even much more worse. Today, this demonstration is organized by three groups. The permission has been arranged quickly and long time before.

We have sent lots of announcements about this action and enough in advance. Therefore it's very sad and even shameful that not so much Tibetan people came today. Human rights are so important for Tibet. We appreciate that quite some Belgian Tibet supporters came today, even some elderly people, for which we are happy and very thankful. There should have been much more Tibetan people here today. Human rights in Tibet are too important."

The following slogans were shouted: "We want freedom", "Respect for human rights", "Hu Jintao, free Tibet now", "CCP is not China", "Stop killing in Tibet", "Shame shame, China shame", "Free Tibet, save Tibet", "What we want, we want freedom", "Release release Panchen Lama, release release Liu Xiaobo", "Long live Dalai Lama"• and "UNO, we want justice".

In the freedom march, a big banner was carried with the text: "Support democracy in China for World Peace", and placards as: "Free Liu Xiaobo, Free Tibetan Heroes", "Freedom of language" and "Free Tibet".

The demonstration in front of the Chinese embassy was because: * China has become one of the most important world powers and a major player in the global field * China is a symbol for a rapidly growing economy but without social, cultural and religious freedom * China has the world's largest population * China has adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, China has voted in favour of the Declaration, but is nevertheless one of the main violators of human rights * if China would allow more freedom and democracy this would be a very important signal to the whole world and to all the other non-democratic governments and regimes.

The demonstration was ended with the Tibetan National Anthem at 4 p.m.

Then, Mona Zhimin Tang and Dennis Barbion sent an envelop into the mailbox of the Chinese embassy with a cd of 150,000 signatures of a worldwide petition for the release of Gao Zhisheng.

We believe that the message for respect for human rights and freedom has been sent out, together with the appeal for solidarity and cooperation, to call on governments to respect the rights protected by international human rights law.

Businesses Max Out During His Holiness’ Visit to Capital of Sikkim

by Chime Tenzing, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala, 24th December: It is no exaggeration if the businessmen in the capital hill of Gangtok are laughing all the way to their banks! Visitors from across the world thronged Gangtok to attend sermons delivered by His Tibetan spiritual leader Holiness the Dalai Lama.

The sudden boost in the trade and businesses in the capital has direct association with the visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The locals say "It's not only a big boost for the local economy but it's a big boost for the spiritual seekers as well".

According to the local tour operators, tourism industry has peaked during this period. The president of the tour operators of Sikkim said, "His Holiness

the Dalai Lama's visit has boosted our tourism because so many people, including numbers of tourists, disciples and devotees have come to Gangtok to attend to His Holiness the Dalai Lama's teachings and sermons".

Apart from boom in travel and tourism segment in the region, the sale of Buddhist ritual items were in great demand. The small shopkeepers were also elated to the hilt!

His Holiness consecrated and sanctified the proposed Buddha statue that stands 125 feet in height and would be the tallest Buddha statue in the world. The statue is made of nickelaluminum bronze alloy and weighs about 57 tones.

Hundreds of scientists, scholars and other dinigtaries gathering at the International Conference for Science, Spirituality and Education held on December 20th, 2010 in Gangtok, Sikkim. Photo: TPI

It was estimated that over 30,000 devotees, foreign tourists, Buddhist monks from across the country and abroad attended the sermon and teachings in Gangtok by His Holiness.

The Tibet Post

Tibetans and Chinese in US Call on China to Release Liu Xiaobo

By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: Exile Tibetans and Chinese from New York and New Jersey on Saturday (11th December) celebrated the 21st anniversary of Tibetan spiritual His Holiness the Dalai Lama receiving the Nobel peace prize as well as 2010 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the Chinese intellectual, Liu Xiaobo. The ceremony at the center of the Armenian Church was organized by the Tibetan Community of NY & NJ, both exile Tibetans and Chinese strongly urged the communist regime of China to release the jailed 2010 Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Liu Xiaobo.

Over five hundreds of people including Tibetans and Chinese from different institutions gathered in the hall of the Armenian Church. The representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for North America, Mr. Lobsang Nyandak, and invited guest speaker Chinese scholar and Professor of the City University of New York Mr Sia Ming, have addressed the crowd.

"Today is a special day for both Chinese and Tibetans, why is it important for Tibetans and Chinese people to be proud of their pride, 21 years ago Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama awarded Nobel Peace Prize and this year's peace prize given to Chinese scholar, Mr Liu Xiaobo," said Prof. Men. Prof. Men also stressed that the two communities face similar suffering situations in Tibet and China under the world's largest communist regime. "Both Tibetans and Chinese are experiencing similar sufferings under the totalitarian Regime. Therefore, further development of mutual trust and stronger unity in efforts to fight our cause very important," he added.

Exile Tibetans and Chinese from New York and New Jersey on Saturday (11th December) celebrated the 21st anniversary of Tibetan spiritual His Holiness the Dalai Lama receiving the Nobel peace prize as well as 2010 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the Chinese intellectual, Liu Xiaobo.

Photo: TPI

On the occasion, the speech for the 21st anniversary of Tibetan spiritual His Holiness the Dalai Lama receiving the Nobel peace prize issued by Tibetan government in-exile readout by Mr Lobsang Nyandak, the representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. "People should think carefully about recent news reports of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's retirement, because of the Chinese government and particularly the United Front Work Department putting their every efforts to destroy the unity within our Tibetan community," said Nyandak.

Mr. Nyandak expressed his appreciation for the open and constructive supports of Chinese people. "This year's Nobel Peace Prize to Mr Liu Xiaobo, a not only great effort by himself, but also honored for Chinese people's great efforts to bring democratic reforms in China," he added.

Mr. Tsering Sangpo, the president of region Tibetan community also thanked the attendees of Chinese people who have expressed support for the Tibetan cause, and the Tibetan people's movement for our cultural survival.

Two Terrorists Nabbed, Security Beefed Up in Dharamshala

By YC. Dhardhowa, The Tibet Post

aged 20, and Ghulam Nabi, aged 35.

According to some sources, it was found that during their stay in Kangra the two terrorists had been reported to be gathering information about headquarters of the Tibetan government in exile, Dharamshala cricket stadium, Vidhan Sabha complex at Tapova, headquarters of 9 Corps Army Yol and other tourist hot spots.

The Kangra police have found them using SIM cards procured with fake identity proofs after the police have sent the details to the concerned private mobile telecom service provider.

They have been reportedly found making calls to various places, including Jammu & Kashmir.

Following the arrest, police have tightened the identification process of the migrant laborers in the state as there are supposedly sizable numbers of them working at various places in and around Kangra district, including Kashmiris.

While the duo remains locked up in custody till December 23 for

interrogation, it is too early to figure out their real motive and plans.

According to Kangra SP Diljet Singh Thakur "it is premature to say anything at this stage as the investigations are underway to ascertain the motive of the dreaded terrorists to sneak into the hill state and gather information about various places in Kangra".

In April 2007 security surrounding His Holiness the Dalai Lama had been tightened after reports of an attempt by the Al-Qaida-linked terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Toiba to assassinate the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader. The assassination threat picked up by Indian authorities is thought to be based on Bin Laden's denunciation and the extremist jihadi movement's hatred for anything and anyone that is not Muslim.

His Holiness is expected to return to Dharamshala after attending the International Conference for Science, Spirituality and Education held on December 20th in Gangtok, which will conclude on December 23.