The Tibet Post International Online-newspaper

New Tibetan Settlement Officer in Dharamsala Page 05...

Vol. 01, Issue 47, 15 August 2011 Last Official Press Conference

US Ambassador

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

Questions on Tibet Page 02...

Bi-Monthly

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Rs.5

“Victory Will Be Ours:" New Tibetan Leader Lobsang Sangay

By Colleen McKown, The Tibet Post

Kalon Tripa responding to the questions being asked

by Tibetan journalist at the hall of new Kashag building, Dharamshala, India on 3rd August 2011.

Photo: TPI

By Colleen McKown and Sangay Dorjee, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: Wednesday, August 3, Kalon Tripa Professor Samdhong Rinpche gave his last press conference at the New Cabinet Building of the Central Tibetan Administration. The new Kalon Continues on Page 7...

Building Railways to Tibet Border

CHinese and Indian troops at the Indo-Tibet Borders.

Photo: File

By Colleen McKown, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: - According to a report by the Economic Times, India will build three strategic rail lines close to the Chinese occupied Tibet border. A government report has said that the three lines will link the Indian state of Assam with Arunachal Pradesh.

One line will run from Assam to Tawang, an Indian military base that borders Bhutan and Tibet. At present, the only way to reach Tawang is by

Dharamshala: Dr. Lobsang Sangay was sworn into office Monday, 8th August as the new Kalon Tripa, or political leader, of the Central Tibetan Administration. The ceremony took place amid thousands of spectators at the main temple in the Himalayan town of McLeod Ganj.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Dr. Lobsang Sangay, and outgoing Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche all addressed the audience at the ceremony, which started at 8:30 on Monday.

Sangay, a 43-year old Harvard scholar, took the oath of office at exactly 9:09:09, as the number nine is associated with longevity in Tibetan tradition.

Born in exile in Darjeeling, India, Sangay attended Delhi University and went on to study law in the United States at Harvard University. After earning his doctorate, Sangay took a teaching fellowship in the East Asian Legal Studies Program at Harvard.

Sangay has spent his whole life outside of Tibet.

Despite this, he said, "Tibet is in my heart each and every day."

Sangay's assumption of this responsibility is especially significant because he is the first leader to take charge of the government since His Holiness the Dalai Lama announced the renunciation of his political power earlier this year.

Democratic leadership His Holiness stepped down of his own choice, motivated by the belief that the Tibetan

Dr. Lobsang Sangay (L) the new political leader of Tibet, stands next to Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama as he greets the crowd at his swearing-in ceremony at the Tsuglakhang, the main Tibetan Temple in Dharmsala, India, 8th August 2011. Photo: TPI

Administration should be ruled democratically. He believed that an elected leader, rather than a spiritual figure, should serve as the head of the government.

In his address to the audience, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said, "Today is the most important day in the last 2,000 years."

Models of the Great Potala Palace of Tibet Released

His Holiness spoke about the need for Tibet to keep up with the times, saying that many things have changed in the world during the last century.

"During my time as leader, we have changed and become completely and fully democratic. We've done this even in our situation as refugees."

Continues on Page 5...

Protests in East Turkistan

Continues on Page 8...

By Colleen McKown, The Tibet Post

China’s Panchen Visits Eastern Tibet

Dharamshala: In Chinese-ruled Xinjiang (East Turkistan), at least 14 people have been killed in violence between Uyghurs and Chinese police in Kashgar city.

Chinese state controlled media claimed that at least six people were killed on July 30 when Uyghur See on Page 6...

China Arrests a CD Seller in Tibet

Labrang Monastery, Amdho Province, eastern Tibet.

Photo: File

By Colleen McKown, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: - The Chinese-appointed Panchen Lama, Gyaltsen Norbu, arrived today in the town of Sangchu county of Amdho, eastern Tibet (Ch: Xiahe in the Gansu province). Labrang Monastery, an important site in Tibetan Buddhism, is located in Sangchu. According to a report by the New York Times, the "skeptical crowd" of residents was forced to cheerfully welcome him with prayer flags and senior lamas made to welcome him at a reception hall.

Authorities beefed up security in the area and forced foreign tourists to leave Sangchu in preparation for the arrival of the Chinese Panchen Continues on Page 6....

The political leader of Tibetans, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche on 3rd August 2011 opening an exhibition about the new Potala model which being designed by well-known Tibetan artist Lodoe Sangpo and his team in past recent years, Dharamshala, India. Photo: TPI

By Colleen McKown, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: - On 3 August, in the New Hall of the Tibetan Library, three models of the Potala Palace were released by Kalon Tripa Samdhong Rinpoche.

Lodi Sangpo, a Tibetan artist from New Delhi, managed the construction of the three-dimensional models, which are each 25 kg and made from white cedar wood and mud. Sangpo will offer one model to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, one to Namgyal Monastery, and one to the Kashag, the cabinet of Central Tibetan Administration.

Construction began in 2005; at that time, Sangpo

consulted Kalon Tripa Professor Samdhong Rinpoche, the Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament, His Holiness the Gyalwa Karmapa, and Sakya Gongma Rinpoche. He also presented the plan to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Sangpo said that he made the model because over the past 50 years Tibetans have become dispersed around the world.

"They live in different cultures with different Continues on Page 8.......

Huge amount of Chinese military presence in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. Photo: TPI/File

By Colleen McKown, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: On 2 August, Kunsang Choegyal, a 25-year old Tibetan man from Jordha County in East Tibet, was arrested. His father's name is Norgyal and his mother's name is Kunsang Palmo.

Continues on Page 4.....

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15 August, 2011 Dharamsala

TPI INTERVIEWS AND RECAP

Gary Locke, US Ambassador to China Answers Questions on Tibet Article by Central Tibetan Administration Official Media: Tibet Net

US Ambassador to China nominee Gary Locke testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, May 26, 2011, before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on his nomination/Associated Press Photo

Dharamshala: The US Senate confirmed former Commerce Secretary Gary Locke as Ambassador to China on 27 July 2011. Excerpts from response given by the Ambassador to questions posed to him by Senators in connection with the confirmation hearing follows: Question: Tibetans have been enduring an intensifying crackdown since March 2008, exemplified by the crisis at Kirti monastery in Sichuan province. Last month, the monastery was forcibly taken over by security forces; 25 monks remain in detention; 300 other monks have been taken away for "patriotic education"; and two laypeople were killed by security forces. Will you commit to travel to Tibetan areas, including beyond Lhasa, to seek accurate information in these closedoff areas, and to advocate for the religious, cultural and human rights of Tibetans?

Answer: The Department of State has urged China to relax restrictions on movements of U.S. government officials, journalists, and Tibetan pilgrims to and from Tibetan regions.

Travel to Tibetan areas, including outside of Lhasa, is an important priority for our Embassy in Beijing, and, if confirmed, I will continue to press to have an opportunity to do so.

Question: Will you continue efforts to establish a US consulate in Lhasa, which was established by the State Department as a priority in 2008?

Answer: The United States and China currently have six diplomatic posts in the other's country. Future post openings are subject to host government agreement, per the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and our bilateral agreement with China.

The Department sent diplomatic notes in 2008, expressing reciprocal interest in expanding U.S. diplomatic presence in China, with Lhasa at the top of the U.S. list. To date, the Chinese have not responded.

The Department remains committed to pursuing a post in Lhasa as a priority, and if confirmed I will continue to work on this objective.

Question: Will you work with the Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues and her office to ensure that US policy and communications to the Chinese government are consistent and respect the long-standing two track US policy of (1) supporting dialogue between the

Chinese government and the Dalai Lama and his representatives; and (2) supporting efforts to preserve the unique cultural, religious and linguistic heritage of the Tibetan people?

Answer: If confirmed, I will work closely with the Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues and her office to ensure that Tibetan issues are raised frequently and candidly with China's leaders. The Department of State is deeply concerned by the human rights situation in Tibetan areas and by the lack of progress during nine rounds of talks between the Chinese Government and the Dalai Lama's representatives. If confirmed, in consultation with the Special Coordinator, I will support further dialogue between China and the representatives of the Dalai Lama to resolve concerns and differences, including the preservation of the religious, linguistic and cultural identity of the Tibetan people.

Question: I am troubled with the acrossthe-board restrictions and policy of selective access that China has applied to travel within China by U.S. diplomats and visiting US. Chinese officials have the ability to travel anywhere they want in the U.S., and have the freedom to engage in a broad range of Chinese cultural promotion activities on American soil.

Will you push for greater freedom of movement for U.S. diplomats in China, including travel to "sensitive" areas such as Tibetan areas and East Turkestan?

Answer: I will continue to advocate for greater freedom of movement for U.S. diplomats everywhere in China. The United States can only generate accurate information on developments in China by traveling frequently to all parts of the country and engaging with the people there. With the notable and unfortunate exception of Tibet and some Tibetan areas at "sensitive" times, Embassy officers generally face few restrictions on travel within China.

However, they are generally unable to meet with provincial and local Chinese officials or institutions (including universities) unless they obtain approval from the Foreign Ministry and its local offices. U.S. diplomats regularly visit the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region and Tibetan areas outside of the Tibet Autonomous Region to advance the full range of U.S.

The Tibet Post

Sangay Holds first Press Conference as Tibetan Political Leader Dharamshala: Following his swearing-in ceremony in Dharamshala Monday, August 8, new Tibetan political leader Dr. Lobsang Sangay spoke with the press about his new role as the leader of the Tibetan people, future relations with China, and the policies he plans to implement.

On political leadership Acknowledging that it is a big change to go from working in the United States at Harvard University to taking over the former political role of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, one reporter asked Sangay how he felt about his new role.

In reply, Sangay said that he does not intend to fill in the shoes of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, nor does he think that it is possible.

"My responsibility, rather, is to fulfill his vision in establishing a secular, democratic society and live up to his expectation that Tibetan people stand on their own feet...so that we can strengthen and sustain our movement over a long period of time until His Holiness returns to Tibet and our freedom is restored for the Tibetan people," he said.

Sangay said that while he is excited about his new post, he knows there will be challenges ahead. It sobers him, he said, to realize that he will receive news every day about arrest, torture, and murder.

"It's a struggle. It's a difficult one. It's about people without their own homeland and people back home in Tibet, brave men and women on a daily basis. They are struggling and trying to resist a very powerful system that's very oppressive."

Drawing on his own family's experiences, he said the Tibetan story has been a painful one. Several of his family members died on the journey to India, and others were killed or wounded fighting the Chinese army.

"This story is the story of all the Tibetans. They have lost so much.

They have sacrificed so much with the hope that one day, we will return to our homeland with freedom," he said.

interests in those areas - particularly the safety and welfare of U.S. Citizens.

ChargĂŠ d'Affaires Robert Wang visited Xinjiang in May. None of these visits were officially approved, and hence U.S. Diplomats could not engage with provincial and local officials or universities during their visits.

Travel to the Tibet Autonomous Region is restricted by the Chinese government, and our official visits are approved on a case-by-case basis and then only rarely. Although then Ambassador Huntsmanwas allowed to travel there in September 2010, many other requests have been denied. Visits to Tibetan areas of Sichuan are often denied on the ground by local police although the area is open in principle.

This is a serious problem that I will seek to address. The U.S. government has long pressed for free and full access to the Tibet Autonomous Region for American diplomats and also for members of Congress and foreign journalists. If confirmed, I will continue to raise this issue at high levels.

Dr. Lobsang Sangay, the political leader of Tibetan Administration responding to the journalists during a press conference which being held at the press hall of new Tibetan cabinet building, Dharamshala, India on 8th August 2011. Photo: TPI

By Colleen McKown, The Tibet Post

While exercising the "daunting task" of providing leadership to this suffering people, he said, he will remain ever cognizant of not only his own family's legacy, but the legacies of the families of the 6 million Tibetans.

On relations with China On dialogue with China, Sangay said that if the Chinese government is willing to find a peaceful solution to the Tibetan issue, he is willing to take any measure to talk with them. If they want to speak directly with a representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, for example, Sangay will arrange for that.

"If they are interested in moving forward, we have extended our hand all along. We'll extend our hand even now, any time, anywhere, to resolve the issue of Tibet."

Sangay said he that whether the Chinese government is willing to deal directly with the Tibetan Administration or with him is irrelevant; in his view, what matters are the results.

The Tibetan Administration is interested in finding a substantive, peaceful solution to the suffering inside Tibet, and Sangay recognizes that they need to address the Chinese government's mindset.

When the Chinese first came to Tibet, he said, they promised the Tibetan people a socialist paradise.

"It's not a paradise. It's a tragedy," Sangay asserted.

On policy In formulating Tibetan policy, Sangay spoke about the importance of thinking critically and analytically. He plans to use scholars to do research on issues affecting Tibetans, formulating policies, programs, and actions that will impact the Tibetan community in five to 50 years.

As part of this initiative, the administration will invite scholars from all over the world to Dharamshala for lectures, conferences and panel discussions.

Focusing on education will be his first priority as the Tibetan political leader.

"I am who I am because of education.

I come from a very humble background," he said. "If you give proper education to any individual, you can not only change that person's life but also help his or her

family and community."

Through education, he hopes to help create as many Tibetan professionals as possible so that the Tibetan people can become effective leaders.

Regarding the environment, Sangay said that Tibet is the source of 10 major rivers in Asia, and that Tibetans have historically always been willing to share, or "let the natural course of the river flow to the population."

Now, however, due to the damming of the rivers by the Chinese government, the natural flow is being disrupted, affecting not just Tibet and China but Asia as a whole. The Mekong River, for example, flows all the way to Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand and Vietnam.

He plans to raise this issue with the people of Asia and the international community and to point out ways the Chinese government is harming the environment and exploiting resources.

On his predecessor Sangay's predecessor Samdhong Rinpoche has told Sangay that he supports fully any changes he makes in the programs and policies of the Tibetan Administration.

Sangay is thankful to have this blessing when formulating new projects and policies, and he also said that he will seek the advice of Samdhong Rinpoche from time to time.

Without understanding past administrations and why they took the actions they did, one cannot move ahead and make major changes, Sangay said. In his opinion it will be practical to seek the advice of his predecessor.

"I think we are together in moving forward and making necessary changes to make our administration more effective and make our movement stronger and more sustainable," Sangay said.

On returning to Tibet Sangay says that one of his lifelong aspirations is to return to his homeland, a place he has never been. He left America and his job at Harvard University to provide leadership for the Tibetan people because he wants to see this dream fulfilled for himself and other Tibetans in exile.

"For all my life, I've heard only voices of my relatives in Tibet. Who does not want to reunite with their family members back home? That is the dream.

That is the desire. That's why I'm here."

TPI H.H THE DALAI LAMA 3 His Holiness the Dalai Lama His Holiness The Dalai Lama to Hails India’s Democracy, Teach in Europe Rule of Law The Tibet Post

15 August, 2011 Dharamsala

By Colleen McKown, The Tibet Post

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama (C), Indian Minister for Minority Affairs Salman Khurshid (L) and Chairman National Commission for Minorities Wajahat Habibullah (R) attend the fourth annual Lecture on Minorities in New Delhi on August 10, 2011/ GETTY IMAGES

By Tibetan Administration Media: Tibet Net

New Delhi: - Diverse languages, cultures, scripts, religions have peacefully coexisted in India due to democracy and rule of law, said the spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama as he delivered the fourth annual lecture of National Commission for Minorities at India International Center Wednesday morning.

His Holiness said except for some problems, India as the world's most populous democracy has largely been very stable compared to many of its neighbors because the country has a very ancient and rich tradition of nonviolence and religious harmony.

Stressing on the universality of moral ethics in cultivating inner peace, he said some people mistakenly believe that moral ethics are based on religious values. If that was so, then it can never be universal because the reality is there are so many religious traditions, he added. Secular ethics relate to all of us as the same human beings using our common experience, common sense, and latest scientific findings to make positive changes in oneself and others, he said.

Lack of moral ethics which leads to undermining of self-discipline, His Holiness said, is responsible for many societal ills like corruption that plague countries like China and India.

His Holiness said many problems in the world today are man-made with too much negative emotions deluding the mind with negative emotions in such a way that we become slaves to destructive actions. Through training and awareness, one can transform negatives emotions into positive emotions.

He said just like the external matters, in the world of mind, there are many different emotions, some very useful and beneficial in bringing inner strength, self-confidence, all positive emotions that enable one to have a sense of concern for others' well-being and see others as one's own.

His Holiness said scientists today are increasingly involved in studying and researching phenomena that are formless, mysterious, and defies human understanding. "Now they are looking inside at being, self, and emotions as something that is very related to day-to-day life," he added.

Reiterating that he rightly considers

himself as son of India, His Holiness said, "Every cell of my brain is filled with Nalanda Thought and my body for the last fifty years is survived by Indian dal and chawal." He recalled making this clarification to an overseas Chinese journalist who expressed his curiosity over this remark.

Speaking on his recent devolution of political authority to an elected political leadership, His Holiness said he is happy he has implemented in full what he had been saying for years. "I always say the world belongs to the humanity, the people, not to kings and religious leaders; just as each country belongs to its people , not to a political party or a raja."

Calling democracy the best system of governance, His Holiness said he had since childhood in Tibet wanted change in the system. In exile, he said he was happy to have the opportunity to introduce democracy in the Tibetan community. Ever since Tibetans began to directly elect their Kalon Tripa, the elected Tibetan political leadership in 2001, His Holiness said he was in a semi-retired position. He said he has "happily, voluntarily and proudly" given up the political authority he had taken over at the age of 16. "The last 60 years was a difficult period but now at 76, as an old monk, I have my own right to retire."

Mr Salman Khurshid, Union Minister for Minority Affairs and Law and Justice also addressed the gathering.

Shri Wajahat Habibullah, Chairman of NCM, gave the welcome address and Dr. H.T. Sangliana, Vice-Chairperson of NCM thanked the guests at the event.

Among the guests were members of Parliament, Election Commission, Planning Commission; political leaders; academicians; writers; artists; and foreign diplomats.

Last year's lecture was delivered by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, former president of India. Justice A.M. Ahmadi, Former Chief Justice of India and Justice Rajinder Sachar, Former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court gave the first and second annual lectures.

The National Commission for Minorities is a body constituted by the Government of India to monitor and evaluate the progress of people classified as minorities by the Indian government.

Dharamshala: - The spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama left the north Indian town of Dharamshala yesterday, August 9, to embark on a European tour. His Holiness departed from the main temple amid thousands of spectators who had gathered there for new Tibetan political leader Dr. Lobsang Sangay's public felicitation ceremony.

His Holiness will start his trip in France, where he will give teachings on August 13 and 14 on Kamalashila's The Middling States of Meditation (Tib: gomrim barpa) at the Zenith de Toulouse.

Kamalashila, born in India in the 8th century, brought Buddhist teachings to Tibet, and His Holiness the Dalai Lama has called his Middling States of Meditation "a key that opens the door to all Buddhist texts."

His Holiness will speak on Kamalashila's teachings on meditation, compassion, special insight and enlightenment.

In Toulouse he will also give a public talk on August 15 on The Art of Happiness, also at the Zenith de Toulouse. Both events are organized by Chemins de Sagesse, and more information is available on their website.

The organizers say that "the Dalai Lama's visit to the Southwest of France will be an exceptional opportunity for students and practitioners of

His Holiness The Dalai Lama during a special event being helding in Dharamshala, India on 8th August 2011. TPI

Buddhism--as well as for everyone receptive to His Holiness' message of peace--to increase their knowledge of Buddhism and to enrich their spiritual development."

After his time in France, His Holiness will travel to Tallinn, Estonia, where he will give a free public talk on August 17 on A Call for Universal Responsibility at Liberty Square. The event is organized by the Estonian Institute of Buddhism.

He will conclude his European tour in Helsinki, Finland on August 20, when he will speak on Geshe Langri Thangpa's Eight Verses of Training the Mind (Tib: lojonk tsik gyema) at the

Barona Theater. He will also give a public talk on The Power of Compassion at the same location in the afternoon.

The Finnish Tibetan Cultural Association, who organized the event, says "we are happy to be able to welcome you all to share the wisdom of the words and comfort of the presence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama." More information can be found on their website.

His Holiness will return to Dharamshala in late August to give three day teachings on Shantideva's A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life (Tib: chodjug) from August 30-September 1.

Finnish Minister Plans to Meet His Holiness The Dalai Lama

By Colleen McKown, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: During the spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama's upcoming visit to Finland, which will take place from 1821 August, one Finnish minister is likely to meet with His Holiness.

According to the Helsingin Sanomat, Minister for International Development Heidi Hautala reported her planned meeting to another Finnish news source in late July.

It is thought that Member of Parliament Pekka Haavisto, the Green League's presidential candidate, may also meet with His Holiness.

Erkki Tuomioja, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, will be away during His Holiness' visit. Tuomioja has denied that Finland has a policy about meetings with His Holiness. "After all, it is a private occasion of a spiritual kind," he told the press.

Historically, foreign ministers in Finland have not met often with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. His Holiness has visited Finland five times, and in that time, he met once each with Minister of the Environment Pekka Haavisto and Minister of Culture Claes Andersson.

During His Holiness' latest visit in 2006, no political meetings took place.

When Finnish Members of Parliament raised the issue with government ministers, Tuomioja said that Finnish authorities already had enough

His Holiness the Dalai Lama during an official ceremoney being held in Dharamshala, India on 8th August 2011. Photo: TPI

information on the situation between China and Tibet. MP Ben Zyskowicz countered that a meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama would not be about gathering information, but about sending a political signal.

Tuomioja also claimed that no invitation had been sent; organizers of the event, however, said that serious attempts had been made to arrange a meeting.

China has warned Finland against meeting with His Holiness. Peng Zhengwu, the Head of the Embassy's Political Office, has said that such a meeting would "hurt the bilateral

relations between China and Finland.

He is not only a spiritual leader."

Tuomioja said that Finland is aware of China's views, but he wouldn't say if China had put pressure on Finland regarding this matter. On meeting with the Dalai Lama, he said that "naturally they find it an unfriendly gesture."

During his upcoming visit to Helsinki, His Holiness will give two teachings on the morning of 20 August based on Geshe Langri Thangpa's Eight Verses of Training the mind (Tib: lojong tsik gyema). In the afternoon of the same day, he will give a public talk on The Power of Compassion.

4

15 August, 2011 Dharamsala

TPI INTERNATIONAL

China Suspected in Mass CyberHacking: Experts Say

System security. Photo: File

By Colleen McKown, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: - The cyber-security company McAfee has released a report saying that over the past five years, cyber hackers have been breaking into the systems of 72 organizations worldwide. Victims of the hacking include governments, international organizations and private companies.

Security experts say the hacker was a "state actor," and analysts have said that most of the evidence points to China.

According to Reuters, the 72 organizations hacked into included the governments of the United States, Taiwan, India, South Korea, Vietnam, and Canada, as well as international organizations such as the United

Nations and the International Olympic Committee.

The Guardian states that 49 of the 72 organizations were based in the United States.

McAfee uncovered the attacks this past March, saying that the earliest attack by the hackers occurred in 2006.

McAfee's vice president of threat research Dmitri Alperovitch told Reuters, "Companies and government agencies are getting raped and pillaged every day. They are losing economic advantage and national secrets to unscrupulous competitors."

"The scale at which this is occurring is really, really frightening," Alperovitch said.

Jim Lewis, a cyber expert from the Center

for Strategic and International Studies, said that much of the information obtained was of special interest to China.

One example cited was the repeated hackings of the International Olympic Committee and national Olympic Committees around the time of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Another was the fact that the government of Taiwan's system had been broken into; Taiwan and China have a tense political relationship.

McAfee refused to name a specific culprit; however, it pointed to a single country as responsible and called the Olympic-related hacking "particularly intriguing."

Cyber analyst Dave Clemente, from Chatham House think tank, told The Guardian that China was probably also being targeted through hacking by other countries.

"It's going in both directions, but probably not the the same extent," he said. "China has a real motivation to gain these types of industrial secrets, to make that leapfrog."

Alperovitch said that that the hacking represents a huge economic threat to companies, industries, and "entire countries that face the prospect of decreased economic growth in a suddenly more competitive landscape."

In 2009, a report released by a Canadian research group said that a cyber spy network, based mainly in China, had hacked into classified documents from government and private organizations in 103 countries, including the computers of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Tibetan exiles.

US Congressman Praises Democratic Achievements of Tibetans

His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Photo: file

Sangay, I send my warm wishes to the Tibetan people and congratulate them on their democratic achievements," he added.

"Dr Lobsang Sangay takes over as chief executive of the Central Tibet Administration at a critical point, as much of the political responsibilities for the Tibetan community in exile now reside on his shoulders," Congressman McGovern said.

"I had the chance to meet Lobsang Sangay when he came to Capitol Hill in July 2011, during the Dalai Lama's visit to Washington. I look forward to his return to discuss ways the United States can help Tibetans in their endeavor to find a solution for the Tibet issue," he added.

The Tibet Post

Report on Tibet Support Groups Conference Released

Chief Supreme Justice Commissioner Ngawang Phelgyal (right) launches the report on the sixth International Tibet Support Groups Conference at DIIR, Dharamsala, on Monday, 1 August 2011. Also seen in the picture is DIIR Kalon Kesang Y Takla: Photo: TPI

By Colleen McKown, The Tibet Post

Dharmashala: A press conference was held today, August 1, for the release of a report on the Sixth International Tibet Support Groups Conference. The press conference was held at the Department of Information and International Relations in Dharamshala.

This morning's chief guest was Mr. Ngawang Phelgyal, the Chief Supreme Justice Commissioner of the Central Tibetan Administration. Mr. Ngawang Phelgyal released the report.

The Minister of the Department of Information and International Relations, Kalon Kelsang Yangkyi Takla, gave the press statement.

The Sixth International Tibet Support Groups (TSG) Conference, held last November in the Indian state of Haryana, was attended by 258 participants from 57 countries. His Holiness the Dalai Lama was the Guest of Honour.

The TSG Conference developed an action plan focusing on political support, outreach to China, human rights, the environment, and development.

In the press statement, Kalon Takla said, "In our view the action plan that will guide the activities and the campaigns of the worldwide TSG movement is both comprehensive and practical. It is our conviction that this action plan will galvanize and give new dynamism to the TSG movment."

The action plan contains several objectives: to increase Tibet advocacy in governments internationally, to build support for His Holiness the Dalai Lama

By Central Tibetan Administration Official Media: Tibet Net

Dharamshala: - Describing the spiritual leader of Tibet, Holiness the Dalai Lama's voluntary effort to give up power as remarkable, a top US lawmaker has said it is culmination of a decadeslong process of nurturing the development of democratic institutions in the Tibetan exile community.

"At a time when autocrats around the world are clinging to power, the Dalai Lama's voluntary effort to give up power is remarkable. It is the culmination of a decades-long process of nurturing the development of democratic institutions in the Tibetan exile community," Congressman James P. McGovern of Massachusetts said in a speech on the floor of the US House of Representative on Tuesday.

"This stands in stark contrast to the

reality that neither Tibetans in Tibet, nor anyone in China, are allowed fundamental democratic freedoms or free elections. What the Tibetans have accomplished is worthy of our attention and respect," he said.

"In March 2011, the Dalai Lama announced his decision to devolve his political authority to the elected leadership. These changes were ratified by the Tibetan parliament in May," Mr McGovern told the House.

He further said, "Tibetans from around the world will gather for a historic occasion on 8 August 2011, the inauguration of their democratically elected Kalon Tripa, Dr Lobsang Sangay."

"On the occasion of the inauguration of the next Kalon Tripa, Dr Lobsang

China Arrests a CD Seller in Eastern Tibet ......Continues from front Page Kunsang Choegyal had a shop where he sold CDs. According to information received from reliable sources by The Tibet Post International, one night recently, he was walking in the street with some friends when someone came and took his cell phone. After 10 days, the Chinese policemen came and told him that he had to shut down his shop.

On the afternoon of 2 Aug, the Chinese police came, arrested him, and took him away. His family has no idea as to his

current whereabouts. The Chinese police arrested him because he sold CD's that had copies of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's speeches; also, in his cell phone, there was a photo of His Holiness.

After his arrest, his family went to the police station to inquire after him and the reason for his arrest. The police replied that of course he was arrested for a reason, but they wouldn't give the family any information. The police also told the family that they did not know his whereabouts.

to visit Tibet, to counter China's efforts to weaken the Tibetan language, to increase awareness of human rights abuses, to stop the damming of the Mekong River, and to foster better understanding between Chinese and Tibetan people.

Significantly, many Chinese people participated in the TSG conference, showing their solidarity with the Tibetan struggle. Kalon Takla called the Chinese involvement "a huge encouragement for both the Tibetan people and the worldwide TSG movement."

The extensive report on the conference contains the opening and closing statements made by Kalon Tripa Samdhong Rinpoche, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and other Tibetan, Indian, and Chinese officials.

In his address at the conference, His Holiness the Dalai Lama spoke about the presence of many Han Chinese there, saying that their support was proof that Tibetans don't oppose the people of China.

"Many of the educated and intelligent Han Chinese people who are patriotic and love their culture, people, and country, even they have come to help us. This clearly shows that our struggle is just and noble," His Holiness said.

Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche expressed hope for the future in his closing statement. "The awareness and spirit of freedom, equality and justice within the mind of Chinese people have been growing very rapidly...therefore, the coming few years would be immensely important for everyone, for the world, for the humanity, of course for the Tibetans and for the other minorities within the PRC." The report also contains briefing papers on the status of dialogue between the Chinese government and the Tibetan administration, the human rights situation in Tibet, the state of environmental issues in Tibet, ways Tibetans can reach out to Chinese people on the Tibetan issue, and using technology to advance the Tibetan cause.

The conference was organized by the Core Group for Tibetan Cause in India, and facilitated by the Department of Information and International Relations of the Central Tibetan Administration.

TPI TIBET IN EXILE

The Tibet Post

Tibetan Co-Operative Movement Holds Meeting in Dharamshala

Kalontripa, Dr. Lobsang Sangay addressing the 11th board meeting of the Tibetan Cooperative Federation at the staff mess of CTA, Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamshala, India, 11 August 2011. Photo: TPI

By Colleen McKown, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: Nyamdel, the Federation of Tibetan Co-operatives India Ltd, commonly called "The Federation," held the first day of its 11th general board meeting today, August 11. The first day of the three-day conference took place at the Staff Mess of the Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamshala, India.

Kalon Tripa Dr. Lobsang Sangay, the newly elected Tibetan political leader, was the chief guest.

A total of 60 delegates including Chairmen, secretaries from the 15 branch Tibetan Co-operatives and 3 members from each board of directors are participating in the conference. The secretaries of various departments of the Central Tibetan Administration, members of the standing committee of the Tibetan Parliament in-Exile, and representatives of Tibetan non-governmental organizations also attended the opening day.

The Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in-Exile, Ven. Sonam Tenphel released a book entitled Co-operative Movement in Tibetan Community in Exile: Commemorating 50 Years in Exile.

Secretary of Home Ngodup Dorjee Sogtoe released the Foundation's Summer 2011 Newsletter.

The Federation has 150 braches in India, Nepal and Bhutan and employs 500 permenant and 500 temporary staff. 60% of Tibetans in exile depend on the cooperatives for their income, said Tashi Wangdue, director of the co-operative, during his introductory remarks.

The event was Sangay's first official conference as Kalon Tripa. Sangay said, "The work and projects of the Federation are very compatible with my three fundamental principles: unity, innovation, and self-reliance."

A detailed report on each settlement is contained in the book. Each report includes a summary of the history of the settlement, a list of objectives, land and population statistics, financial data, a description of their activities, and photos.

The organization was started to help Tibetan co-operative societies in exile. The co-operative societies themselves were started to help the rehabilitation and sustainability of Tibetan refugees.

Tibetan co-operative societies supply agricultural inputs, help the members market agricultural products and handicrafts, provide services like purified water and cement bricks, set up weaving centers, supply essential goods, and help the refugees financially and with employment.

According to the Nyamdel website, the Federation was started to provide a

"common forum for the cooperatives to exchange discussion on ideas, challenges, successes."

The cooperatives also needed a central organization to market their handicrafts and agricultural products.

The Federation, formed in 2005, seeks to "promote social and economic betterment in the interests of its member co-operatives through self help and mutual aid," according to the Summer 2011 edition of their newsletter.

In the book's preface, Chairman Pema

Delek states that the co-operative economic model is "free of violence, exploitation and could contribute tremendously towards the attainment of community sustainability without relying on governments or big industries for meeting a large percent of the people's needs."

Sangay said that on his own visit to the Tibetan settlements and saw the agricultural cooperatives, weaving initiatives, flour mills, and school buses for local students, all arranged by the cooperatives.

"These things are the cause of your hard work and activities, and I ask that you continue to do your best," he said.

Sangay advised attendees to comply with Indian law, as the Federation is now registered with the Indian government.

He also told them to turn to chairman of the Federation Pema Delek and the CTA's Department of Home for anything they may need.

It is important, he said, for Members of Parliament to visit the settlements and for the people living there to explain their needs to these government officials.

The Federation works closely with the Central Tibetan Administration. A message from the former Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, printed in the book, states that both the communist and the capitalist systems have failed at promoting values such as love, friendship, peace, and stability.

The co-operative system, he said, relies on humans working together and having compassion.

15 August, 2011 Dharamsala

Mr. Dorjee to Take Charge as Dharamshala Tibetan Settlement Officer

Sonam Dorjee/File photo

By Tibetan Administration Media: Tibet Net

Dharamshala: - Mr Sonam Dorjee, aged 32, has been elected as the new Tibetan settlement officer of Dharamsala and he is slated to take charge on 22 August for a three-year term.

Mr Dorjee polled 506 votes (53.6%) of the total 944 votes cast in the final election on 31 July, beating his contender Bhuchung Tashi who got 416 votes.

Speaking to TibetNet, the Tibetan settlement officer-elect spoke about his priorities to set in motion an all-round improvement in administrative, social,

..........New Tibetan Leader Lobsang Sangay ......Continues from front Page The Kalon Tripa has historically been the second-highest post in the Tibetan government with the Dalai Lama being the highest. His Holiness said, "Today we have successfully elected a political leader who we call 'Sikyongwa' (the top leader in the government). We should be proud and happy."

His Holiness expressed confidence that Sangay, who is highly-educated, will conduct his responsibilities well within the Tibetan Parliament, the Tibetan Administration and in working with Tibetan non-governmental organizations.

He also urged the Tibetan people to "believe that the community is more important than the individual."

His Holiness, now 76 years old, became the head of the Tibetan government at age 16. After 60 years, he hands over all of his political responsibilities, which he said has been his dream for a long time.

Outgoing Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche said that the step towards democracy would be "an example not only to people under occupation but also to others around the world."

Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche spoke highly of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's efforts to introduce democratic institutions to the Tibetan people, efforts that he undertook from a young age. Among these were the introduction of the Charter for the Tibetans-in-Exile and processes by which the people could elect political leaders directly.

Sangay said that he was in this position not because of his own achievements, but because of sacrifices and hard work made by the elder generations of Tibetans both inside and outside of Tibet.

He emphasized that "the devolution of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's political

power is not at all solely to me as the Kalon Tripa, but to all Tibetans."

He also spoke about the importance of showing the world that the Tibetan people are committed to democratic principles and a secular government.

Sending a message to China Sangay said that this election should show the hardliners in the Chinese government that "Tibetan leadership is far from fizzling out-we are a democracy that will only grow stronger in years ahead. And we are here to stay."

"Tibetans have become second class citizens in their own homeland," Sangay said, speaking about the exploitation of both resources and culture that has occurred in Tibet as a result of Chinese rule.

"After sixty years of misrule, Tibet is no Socialist Paradise that Chinese officials promised...today, it is a tragedy because of the Chinese occupation," he said.

Despite the tragedy, though, Sangay said that Tibetans want to send to China and to the world the message of the Tibetan people's firm commitment to non-violence and their willingness for dialogue with China. He emphasized his support for the Middle-Way approach, a policy that seeks true autonomy for the Tibetan people under Chinese rule.

Sangay also said that if the Chinese government resolves the Tibet issue in a lasting way, then China will secure a much more positive image in the eyes of the world.

"A lasting solution to the situation in Tibet will be one of the most defining stories of the 21st century, for it will reaffirm faith in humanity's capacity to build peace, non-violence and universal freedom," he said.

Speaking about his own experience

5

with Chinese-Tibetan dialogue, Sangay said said that Chinese people in China and beyond have a responsibility to help the Chinese government deal with Tibet in a positive and peaceful way.

At Harvard, Sangay has organized conferences between Chinese and Tibetan scholars and has personally reached out to hundreds of Chinese students in efforts to promote trust and understanding.

Future plans "With unity, innovation, and selfreliance as the guiding principles of six million Tibetans, victory will be ours," Sangay said.

Sangay plans to make education his first priority. He also plans to, through technology, professionalize the Tibetan Administration. Among other initiatives, the administration will establish sister settlements between Tibetans in India and the West, introduce a Tibet Policy Institute to envision and execute policy on Tibet, and introduce the Tibet Corps, an organization that will strive to use the skills of Tibetans in Tibet and worldwide for the Tibetan cause.

It will not be an easy road ahead, according to Sangay. He urged the younger generation of Tibetans to put their support and energy behind the Tibetan cause. Depending on their commitment to their cause, Tibetans "will be alive or become a museum piece," he said. "It is a time for confidence in the belief that we are Tibetans and we can do it."

He spoke with conviction that one day the Tibetan people and His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be able to return to Tibet. "We are always ready to embark on this epic journey from Dharamsala, the abode of Dharma, to Lhasa, the abode of Gods."

health and welfare spheres.

He said Dharamsala as a scattered community has a sizable number of Tibetans who might be not in the record of the welfare office. Considering the strategic significance of Dharamsala as the seat of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and His Holiness' security, he said he would conduct a detailed study to keep records of those Tibetans.

Advancing and strengthening the existing cordial relationship between Tibetans and local Indian community is one of his foremost priorities.

"There is an Indo-Tibetan Friendship Association in Dharamsala which works for establishing harmonious relationship between the two communities. As the welfare officer serves as vice-president of the IndoTibetan Friendship, I, in that capacity, would further develop and strengthen this existing friendly relationship," Mr Dorjee said.

Describing the lack of awareness about the Indian law on the part of some Tibetans as the main cause of minor problems, he said this would be tackled by educating them through workshops once in a month or two.

"We will take suggestions from the members of both communities during our frequent meetings to foster peace and harmony in Dharamsala," he added.

He also spoke about his plans to create conditions to prevent the problems of drug addiction and unemployment among the youths.

He said he would conduct thorough reassessment of the welfare schemes provided to the poor and needy Tibetans to ensure that the help reaches to those in real need of help.

Born on 21 July 1979, Sonam Dorjee did his schooling from TCV at Pathlikuhl and upper Dharamsala. He studied twoyear Diploma in Computer Application from SOS VTC Selakui, Dehradun in year 2003 and a 3-month Diploma in Personality Development and Communication Skill.

He was actively involved in social service, as he worked mostly prominently as the Health Project Officer for Tong-len Charity for from 2008 to 2010. Tong-Len Charity helps displaced communities in North India achieve a secure and sustainable future by addressing the root causes of their poverty and ill-health through a range of education and health-based projects.

He also served as the general secretary of the Indo-Tibetan Friendship Association in Dharamsala from November 2010 till date.

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TPI TIBET Tibetans Oppose Visit By ChinaAppointed Panchen Lama The Tibet Post

15 August, 2011 Dharamsala

Tibetans in Amdo Suffer Lead Exposure from Chinese Factories

By Colleen McKown, The Tibet Post

Kumbum Monastery, eastern Tibet. Photo: FILE/2009

By Colleen McKown, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: - US based NGO, the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) has denounced authorities' indifference and attempts to cover up serious water pollution in the area of Kumbum monastery and a nearby village in Rushar County in Amdo (Ch: Qinghai), eastern Tibet.

Many area residents have fallen ill from lead poisoning due to the waste from the Ganhetan Industrial District, a mining and smelting center in northeast Tibet.

According to the ICT, even the Chinese state news agency Xinhua denounced the pollution in March 2006. Xinhua's report named four lead smelting enterprises in the Ganhetan Industrial District as responsible for the pollution: the Western Mining Co Ltd, Branch Co Ka'erduo Smelting Works, Western Regions Lead Smelting Ganhe Smelting Works, and the Western Regions Lead Industries Ganhetan Crude Lead Factory . The report also stated that new enterprises were being built.

Since this time, ICT says, corrupt Chinese authorities have manipulated results on tests on the water. They have also driven nearly 30,000 farmers from land in the area for the purposes of industry.

ICT says an anonymous blogger reported that a petition had been circulated and presented to the authorities in late June. The petition stated that the "uncontrolled mining has caused a disastrous situation for the residents."

The petition states that the situation became more serious this past May and June when several monks and local residents who drank the water suffered symptoms such as nausea, powerlessness and daze. Some even had to be hospitalized.

When ingested, lead is toxic to the heart, bones, intestines, kidneys, reproductive, and nervous systems.

Lead poisoning can cause anemia, abdominal pain, headache, irritability, and more seriously, seizures, coma, blood disease, cancer of digestive system, and death. It can also impair children's brain development, leading to permanent learning and behavioral disorders.

The blogger cited results of tests saying that 1,000 children have been exposed to the pollution and that over 100 have fallen ill as a result.

Villagers have peacefully protested the mining in the past; however, one peaceful protest ended in death for one

Tibetan in 2010 when police opened fire on the demonstrators.

A similar situation occurred in May 2010, when a group of Tibetans, concerned about pollution from a cement factory in Amdo, began rebuilding a road that had been closed due to expansion of the factory. Fifteen people were wounded after police opened fire on the group.

In June, the New York Times said that thousands of villagers, children, and workers have been exposed to toxic levels of lead in the past two and a half years, mainly from battery factories and metal smelters.

The New York Times said these cases "underscore a pattern of government neglect seen in industry after industry as China strives for headlong growth with only embryonic safeguards."

According to the ICT, Chinese authorities began mining Tibet in the 1950s. China, facing growing shortages in supplies of raw materials, has increasingly exploited Tibet's minerals at a huge environmental cost to Tibet.

AsiaNews states that "Beijing claims to have greatly improved the economy and the standard of living in Tibet. In reality it exploits the rich deposits of the area without worrying about pollution, but taking away the raw material for the benefit of the rich southern provinces."

Dharamshala: A visit to Tibet's Amdo region by the Chinese-appointed Panchen Lama has been postponed due to widespread opposition from both the lay and monastic communities in the area.

Tibetans consider 21-year old Gyaincain Norbu to be a false Panchen Lama. The real Panchen Lama, they believe, is Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, recognized in May 1995 by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the true reincarnation. Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, along with his family, has disappeared and is thought to be detained by Chinese authorities.

The Chinese-appointed Panchen Lama was scheduled to visit Labrang Monastery in Tibet's Amdo region in late July. Labrang Monastery, a key institution in Tibetan Buddhism, was a major site of the demonstrations against Chinese rule in 2008.

Sources in the area say the visit has been postponed until August or September.

Radio Free Asia quoted a source in the area: "Chinese authorities ordered Tibetan staff at the Sangchu (in Chinese, Xiahe) county offices to be ready to welcome him joyously, and offer scarves and prostrations," he said.

The source also said that Chinese authorities had threatened to cut jobs and reduce salaries if the local people refused to comply with their demands.

Extensive security measures had also been taken in preparation for the visit; local sources say that over 1,000 police and security forces had been stationed outside of the monastery.

Despite these threats and efforts, Tibetan locals still expressed reluctance to welcome the Chineseappointed Panchen Lama. Apparently because of this reluctance, the preparations have been postponed.

Tibetans in the area had a similar reaction when the Chinese-appointed Panchen Lama came to the area a few years back. RFA quoted another

Chinese Appointed Panchen Lama Visits Eastern Tibet ......Continues from front Page Lama.

Senior monks at the monastery have said that he may be there studying and meditating for weeks. It remains to be seen how he will be received at Lobrang Monastery, as the majority of the over 1,000 monks living there support the Panchen Lama appointed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, called Gedhun Choekyi. Soon after being appointed at age five, he and his family disappeared and are now in the custody of the Chinese government.

Chinese authorities have increasingly tried to cultivate support for the Chinese Panchen Lama, Gyaltsen Norbu, among Tibetans.

Arja Rinpoche, former abbot of Kumbum Monastery in eastern Tibet, fled to the United States in order to escape becoming Gyaltsen Norbu's tutor. He told the New York Times, "Just forcing

him on the faithful cannot win hearts and minds but keeping him in Beijing all the time is also not good for his reputation."

The Chinese Panchen Lama was originally scheduled to be in Tibet in early July; however, officials postponed the visit due to concerns about a negative reception by the Tibetan community.

Han Chinese residents in Sangchu are excited about his visit; monks, on the other hand, are reluctant and concerned.

One monk told reporters, "He's not the real Panchen Lama. Why does Beijing think they have the right to interfere with our traditions?"

"If this was the real Panchen Lama, the whole town would have lined up for hours just to see him," an anonymous scholar said.

Labrang Tashikyil is a major monastic center serving as a wellspring of the Buddhist teachings for the region of Amdo in eastern Tibet. Among all of Amdo, to the north and the south, a sacred place was previously prophesied by the Dakini Sangwa Yeshe called Chumgo Tashi Ye Khyil. There, in the Earth Ox year of the Twelfth 60-Year Cycle, corresponding to the year 1709 in the Western calendar, Ngawang Tsöndru, the first Kunkhyen Jamyang Shepa, founded the great monastery of Labrang Tashikyil.

source: "A few years ago, the Chinese government brought the Panchen Lama to Labrang, but the local people refused to attend. This year, too, many Tibetans are saying that they won't come out to show respect," Gyancain Norbu appeared in May

2010 as a national committee member of the top advisory body at the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and he currently serves as the vice president of China's state-run Buddhist association.

Attacks on Police in East Turkistan: Chinese State Media Claims ......Continues from front Page rioters hijacked a truck at a red light, stabbed the driver, ran over pedestrians, and stabbed bystanders.

A report by AFP, however, shed different light on the incident. AFP quoted World Uyghur Congress spokesman Dilax Raxit as saying that the majority of the dead were police officers.

Uyghurs "do not have any way to protest peacefully, and in a desperate attempt to protest, they started a fight with the police," Raxit said. "The underlying cause of this incident is the repressive Chinese rule."

On July 31, at least three more people were killed, reportedly "hacked to death by the rioters." Chinese police shot dead four suspects later that night.

The incident follows one earlier this summer. On July 18, Uyghurs attacked a Chinese police station with homemade explosives and knives. Twenty people were killed in total; this number included 18 Uyghurs shot by police. The incident was related to China cracking down on Uyghur women who wore Islamic face veils.

These incidents are part of the growing tension between the Uyghur people and the Han Chinese in the region.

Chinese media claims that the attacks are by Islamic militant groups.

According to Chinese officials, these militant groups want an independent Islamic homeland and receive training from Pakistan. The government has said that the attackers advocated "jihad," according to a report by the BBC.

President of World Uyghur Congress Rebiya Kadeer said that the violence is actually due to Uyghur frustration with Chinese rule. The region is rich with oil and gas deposits, and many believe that the Uyghurs are angry that these resources are going into the hands of the Han Chinese from China.

The BBC quoted Kadeer, the leader of Uyghur people, as saying, "I am saddened that Han Chinese and Uyghurs have lost their lives. At the same time I cannot blame the Uyghurs who carry out such attacks for they have been pushed to despair by Chinese policies." "The Chinese government has created an environment of hopelessness," Kadeer said.

East Turkistan had been illegally occupied in 1949 and since then the Uyghurs have been suffering greatly under the repressive Chinese Communist Government. They still form the majority in that area constituting 20 million people, however a rapid influx of illegal Han Chinese immigrants are diluting the population of the indigenous peoples and causing resentment.

Amnesty International has documented that, since 2001, “tens of thousands of people are reported to have been detained for investigation in the region, and hundreds, possibly thousands, have been charged or sentenced under the Criminal Law; many Uyghurs are believed to have been sentenced to death and executed for alleged “separatist” or “terrorist” offences.”

TPI TIBET IN EXILE

The Tibet Post

Now, A Chance to End Tibet Stalemate: Tibetan Political Leader

The newly elected Tibetan leader, Dr. Lobsang Sangay speaking during a panel discussion in Dharamshala, India. Photo: TPI

By Kalon Tripa elect Dr Lobsang Sangay

Dharamshala: Tomorrow, (Monday, 8th August) i take the oath to become the Kalon Tripa, or elected political leader, of the Tibetan people. I assume these duties with the support of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and a democratic mandate from Tibetans living in exile in 30 countries around the world. I will strive to restore freedom for Tibetans and the return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet.

The values that i seek for Tibetans are those enjoyed and often taken for granted in India: freedom, equality, and dignity.

We are not against the Chinese people or China as a nation. We want to resolve the issue of Tibet peacefully through dialogue. But the Chinese people must know that historically Tibet and China were two different entities as enshrined in the Treaty of 821-822, which states that "Tibetan shall be happy in the land of Tibet and Chinese will be happy in the land of China."

When China invaded Tibet in 1959, it promised the Tibetan people a "socialist paradise." First roads were built and along these roads were carted Tibet's untapped and abundant mineral and other natural resources to China.

Forests were logged. The countless priceless statues and cultural artifacts housed in destroyed monasteries and temples made their way to China. In short, the "socialist paradise" the Tibetans were promised turned into colonialism, with Tibet's resources being made to fuel China's development.

The Tibetan people resisted this development with determination but the resistance was crushed with military might. This is the Tibetan experience of China's "socialist paradise."

After their escape from Tibet, my parents lived on an acre of land in a refugee settlement in Darjeeling. We were so poor that my folks had to sell one of their three cows to send me to the Tibetan refugee school financed by the Indian government. From there, i went to Delhi University and won a Fulbright Scholarship to Harvard Law School. Now, after 16 years at Harvard, i return to India to take up political leadership to help lead the six million Tibetans living in Tibet and exile.

We remain eternally grateful to the people and the government of India for giving us refuge for the past five decades. For those of us who live here, India is our second home. The Tibetan administration will uphold the special relationship between the Tibetans and

Indians. We humbly appeal for your continued support and kind consideration to treat Tibet as one of the core issues between India and China.

After 60 years of misrule, Tibetans continue to be repressed. Any Tibetan caught with a picture of the Dalai Lama is arrested in his homeland. Monks and nuns are put through hard labour. Even to have a copy of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights could land you in trouble.

Ultimately, unable to accept the status of second-class citizens in their own country, in 2008, those born and brought up under the "socialist paradise," Tibetans from all walks of life rose up and protested from Dromo to Dartsedo and Ngari to Ngaba in Tibet.

This generation of protesters in Tibet

has not met the Dalai Lama; and though few in exile have been allowed to go to Tibet, our spirit is strong. Elders have entrusted their faith and leadership in the younger generation and i pledge to continue their legacy to make our freedom movement stronger and sustainable.

Following the footsteps of Mahatma Gandhi, the Dalai Lama advocates ahimsa, to which i subscribe too. The Dalai Lama has proposed a "middle-path solution" that seeks genuine autonomy for Tibet within China, which i support because i believe in the power of peaceful dialogue to enact change. I have spent the last 16 years cultivating dialogue between Chinese and Tibetan students, and arranging meetings between the Dalai Lama and Chinese scholars at Harvard University.

Although i will continue to ardently strive for Tibetan rights, meaningful progress will require the cooperation of other parties. Through peaceful dialogue and communication, i genuinely believe we have the opportunity to meaningfully create a solution that would satisfy both Tibetan and Chinese interests.

A just and speedy resolution of the issue of Tibet is in the interest of all Asia. For thousands of years, the Tibetan people served as responsible guardians of the environment of the world's highest and largest plateau that is the source of 10 major rivers, which contribute to the livelihood of more than two billion human beings. China's damming of rivers that originate from Tibet will undermine the livelihood of millions of people downstream in Asia. It is for this reason millions of people in Asia have a vested interest in seeing that the Tibetan people are restored to their traditional role of being the responsible guardians of the environment of the Tibetan Plateau. This transcends politics. It touches upon the well-being and welfare of Asia.

Kalon Tripa Gives Last Official Press Conference ......Continues from front Page Tripa, Dr. Lobsang Sangay, will take an oath of office next week on August 8.

In response to a journalists' question about what he is satisfied with after his two terms as Kalon Tripa, he said that "you can't be fully satisfied with anything."

He drew on his experiences at Varanasi University, where he worked for 30 years before his 10 years as Kalon Tripa, to make his point. He said that during his 30 years at the university, "nothing had as big a result as the plans I had in my mind."

At the same time, Kalon Tripa said, "I also have nothing I regret about my work, because before I became Kalon Tripa, I had the idea that nothing becomes complete like we wish...we try and do our work to the best of our ability."

Kalon Tripa also spoke about the changes that the Tibetan Administration's economic policy has undergone during his work there.

"When I first started, I didn't know much about these very critical issues," he said.

With the help of an economic research group, the Tibetan Administration focused on the economy during the Kashag's 12th and 13th terms. They were therefore able to return millions of borrowed rupees to individuals in the

private sector.

"The money we have is now clean and legal. There is no black money," said Kalon Tripa.

The Tibetan Administration now runs off of interest and token financial contributions (Tibetan: chatrel) from the Tibetan community.

In response to another question about the role of Tibetan journalists, Kalon Tripa said that when he came to Tibet in 1959 there were no Tibetans working as journalists. "Later, society progressed and now we have enough media. This is a very bright result," he said.

Giving advice to journalists, he said, "we should always keep the ethic of journalists. We should always stay in the center and not be on one side."

Kalon Tripa spoke optimistically about the future of Tibet. He said that a solution to the Tibetan issue has definitely become closer due to changes in China, internationally and within Tibet.

"If we give any credit, 80 percent is the result of the Tibetans inside Tibet.

They have lost their lives. They have spent there life there. We could give 20% to those who are protesting outside Tibet. They can have confidence, because it is impossible for them to lose their lives."

15 August, 2011 Dharamsala

7

Final Poll for Tibetan Welfare Officer of Dharamsala Held

The final Election for Tibetan Welfare Officer of Dharamsala holding at the main Tibetan temple Mcleod Ganj, India on 31 Just 2011. Photo: TPI

By Tammy Winand, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: - On Sunday, 31 July, 2011, the final round of elections for Dharamshala Tibetan Refugee Settlement Welfare Officer were held in the Himalayan hill town of McleodGanj.

The final two candidates were Mr. Sonam Dorjee, former President of the Dharamshala Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, and Mr.Bhuchung Tashi, exArmy.

The position of Welfare Officer is responsible for seeking solutions to social issues, for example child care, education and old-age provision. Among its main goals is the achievement of social, religious and political harmony.

T.W.O. is also giving legal advices in cases of conflicts in the society.

To be elected, a candidate needs to receive more than 51% of the vote.

In most Tibetan settlements, the Welfare Officer position is filled by appointment.

McleodGanj (Dharamshala) is one of three settlements which elect the position, the other locations being Pokhara Settlement in Nepal and the Ladakh region. After casting his ballot, Mr. Sonam Dorjee la spoke to TPI, expressing the strong need for Tibetan communities to participate in the democratic process.

There were eight polling stations set up around the Dharamshala area, including Tsuglakhang, Upper and Lower TCV schools, Sarah College,

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

Norbulingka, at the government offices and Tibetan library, and neighboring Gopalpur. When the polls opened at 9am, approximately 70 voters were waiting to cast their ballots at Tsuglakhang, with more steadily filing into the voting area.

Voters presented their Green Books (an ID document showing they pay taxes to the exile government) and were added to a list before receiving a ballot slip, which they filled out in curtained booths and then dropped into one of two ballot boxes.

Ballots from all polling stations will be counted on 1 August. The result is expected to be announced by 3 August.

Tibetan Welfare Office at Mcleodganj is serving as the liaison between the Tibetans in Dharamshala and the Department of Home, Central Tibetan Administration. It is the principal office to look after welfare and overall control of running of affairs of the Tibetans in the area.

The welfare officer is the representative of the Department of Home, CTA. Daily task for the representative range from adjudicating disputes to communicating with group leaders and outside authorities, and generally watching over the running of all aspects of the settlement. There are 5 Tibetan schools, 15 monasteries, 1 old People's Home under the welfare office.

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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

Taiwan

Colleen McKown Cornelius Lundsgaard

US

Mathew Singh Toor YC. Dhardhowa Sangay Dorjee Pema Tso

Denmark India India India India

Carly Selby-James

Australia

The Tibet Post International Himalayan Literacy Trust (Head Office) 1st Floor, Exile House Road, Mcleod Ganj, Dharamsala, Distt.

Kangra H.P 176219 India

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TPI TIBET IN EXILE

15 August, 2011 Dharamsala

Public Ceremony Honors New Tibetan Political Leader

Public Ceremony Honors New Tibetan Leader, Dr. Lobsang Sangay Tuesady, 9th August 2011, at the main Tibetan temple in Dharamshala, India, delegates from abroad also made their speeches during the historiacal event. Photo: TPI

By Colleen McKown, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: - On August 9, a public felicitation ceremony took place for Kalon Tripa Dr. Lobsang Sangay, the new leader of the Central Tibetan Administration. The ceremony, which included addresses from Indian and foreign dignitaries, took place in the main temple in the Himalayan town of McLeod Ganj.

The ceremony began with the hoisting of the Tibetan national flag by Kalon Tripa Sangay and an offering of sweets to the guests and the public. After the speeches, greeting scarves (Tib: Khatags) were presented to Kalon Tripa by representatives of monasteries and NGOS. The ceremony concluded with cultural music and dance performances from local students.

Speakers included Ms. Chen Chieh-Ju from the Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan, Mr. Seishu Makino from the Democratic Party of Japan, Mr. Batjargal Batbayar, a Member of Parliament from Mongolia, Mr. Gautam, a Member of the Constituent Assembly in Nepal, Dr. N.K. Trikha, the National Convener of the Core Group for Tibet Cause in India, Ms. Eva Lichtenberger, a Member of the European Parliament from Belgium, Dr. Yang Jianli, the President for Initiatives for ChinaUSA, Mr. Matteo Mecacci, a Member of Parliament from Itlay, and Mr. Siegfried Herzog, the Director of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation.

The representatives expressed strong support for Tibet and for the new Kalon Tripa, showing their solidarity with the Tibetan struggle and calling for autonomy and the return of human rights in Tibet.

Dr. Yang Jianli, a Tibet supporter and democracy advocate from China currently based in US, received especially strong enthusiasm from the audience. He expressed his congratulations to His Holiness the Dalai Lama for his "extraordinary leadership, wisdom, and determination," and the "righteous way" he initiated democracy for the Tibetan people. He also commended Dr. Lobsang Sangay for his commitment to serving the Tibetan people.

He characterized the Chinese government as "the greedy dictators in Beijing" and said that Tibet's achievements in democracy served as a "beacon of hope" to many, including Han Chinese such as himself.

Expressing his support for the Middle Way Approach, the policy that calls for Tibetan autonomy under Chinese rule, he said it was the Tibetan people's "good fortune

to have His Holiness as your spiritual leader and Dr. Lobsang Sangay as your political leader."

Jianli said that the issue of Tibet is not limited to Tibet and China, but that it is a moral issue that affects all of humanity.

He praised the Tibetan exile community for being stable and harmonious, and expressed confidence that one day Tibet would also be harmonious under democracy and autonomy.

"Continue to fight the good fight," he advised. "Liberation will one day take place in Lhasa."

Mr. Matteo Macacci, President of the Tibet Group in the Italian Parliament, also spoke about the importance of democracy.

Macacci said that democracy is advancing around in the world. Citing examples such as the recent revolution in Egypt, he said that even in countries that appear stable, people are rising up and calling for change.

He expressed admiration for the nonviolent approach of the Tibetan Administration and the tradition of "compassion, love, and cooperation."

"China is powerful, but not stable," he said, saying that a society based on fear

would not last long.

Calling today an important day in history and an example for the whole world, he expressed hope that one day there would be a "free Tibet and a free China."

Dr. N.K. Trikha of the Core Group for the Tibet Cause in India also spoke very strongly in support of Tibetans and their new democratic paradigm. He said that what is happening to Tibetans and their culture is "absolutely unacceptable to every Indian" and called for the return of "honor and dignity" to the Tibetan people.

"I assure you that we Indians will do everything we can," he said to the new Kalon Tripa. "Tibet is in the hearts and minds of India."

European Parliament representative Ms. Eva Lichtenberger, from Belgium, emphasized the importance of continued international support and pressure for the Tibetan cause. She said that the European Parliament always brings up the issue of Tibet when there are Chinese guests present, and she said, "I assure you, there are thousands of people in Europe that follow and support Tibet."

She spoke about the importance of the international community giving back to Tibet, saying that "Tibet gave such a large present to the world in the form of such a rich culture."

Concluding the ceremony, Kalon Tripa thanked the speakers for traveling to Dharamshala for the event. "You've covered a lot of distance, overcome jet lag, and experienced the height of the monsoon in Dharamshala, which has the second highest rainfall in India," he said.

"I'm really grateful."He expressed his own admiration and gratefulness for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his political leadership over the past 60 years, as well as his hope that he can live up to His Holiness' expectations in providing leadership to the Tibetan people.

Kalon Tripa drew on uprisings around the world, such as in Lybia and Syria where unpopular leaders resist giving up power, to make a point about His Holiness' voluntary devolution of political power.

"We have a leader who willingly, despite resistance from the people, despite objection, reservation, and anxiousness, which includes me, from the people, who is willing to forgo the political power because he believes it's time," he said.

He also made a point about key differences between Tibetan politics and politics around the world. Unlike elections

.....Models of the Great Potala Palace ......Continues from front Page customs, so after one or two generations, young Tibetans don't have much of a chance to get educated in Tibetan traditions. So this model is for future Tibetans. When they see this model, they will be reminded of their culture and their identity," he said.

Before the final models were constructed, an example model was made in Bangalore and taken to Dharamshala to be shown to Kalon Tripa Professor Sandhong Rinpoche and many political leaders. After this, the example model was taken back and construction on the final models commenced.

More models will be made and sold. They will not be sold for a profit; the price will only cover the basic costs of construction, said Sangpo.

Kalon Tripa Sandhong Rinpoche said that while many images of the Potala existed, images made from wood and mud were much more rare. Kalon Tripa emphasized that this model accurately portrays what the Potala Palace looks like at this time.

Perched upon Marpo Ri ( Red Hill), 130

meters above the Lhasa valley, the Potala Palace rises a further 170 meters and is the greatest monumental structure in all of Tibet.

Early legends concerning the rocky hill tell of a sacred cave, considered to be the dwelling place of the Bodhisattva Chenresi (Avilokiteshvara), that was used as a meditation retreat by the great king, Songtsen Gampo in the seventh century AD. In 637 He built a palace on the hill.

The Potala Palace is an immense structure, its interior space being in excess of 130,000 square meters.

Fulfilling numerous functions, the Potala was first and foremost the residence of the Dalai Lama and his large government officials including ministers.

In addition, it was the seat of Gaden Phodrang Tibet government, where all ceremonies of state were held; it housed a school for religious training of monks and administrators; and it was one of Tibet's major pilgrimage destinations because of the tombs of past Dalai Lamas.

elsewhere, Tibetan political candidates are friends during the election and remain friends afterward. Using an example from his own campaign, he spoke about the time when, during the final election, he and a competitor shared a taxi ride from Dharamshala to Delhi, a hotel room, and breakfast and lunch the next day.

"We have Buddhist principles to follow," he said. "Hopefully some of you members of Parliament will take a lesson from us," he said, laughing.

The Tibet Post Kalon Tripa emphasized that the Tibetan Administration has established a true foundation for democracy, and expressed hope that other diaspora and exile communities can follow their model.

In closing, he said that he appreciated that "we have friends all around the world who voluntarily provide help and support. That kind of support is genuine.

The genuineness of your friendship is greatly appreciated by all the staff members of the Tibetan Administration."

Tibetan Refugees Calling for Rights in Nepal

Hundreds of Nepal polices deployed on 10 March, the Tibetan National Uprising Day, Kathmandu, Nepal. Photo: TPI

By Colleen McKown, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: Nepal's Tibetan population, which currently numbers 20,000, has urged the government of Nepal to address the rights of all refugees in their new Constitution. The Constitution is set to be released on August 31.

According to a report by Zee News, head of the Tibetan Refugee Welfare Office (TRWO) in Kathmandu Thiley Lama made the appeal to the government.

The appeal came after eight people, called "Tibetans" by the media, were arrested in the past few weeks for attempting to get fake Nepali passports or use fake documents to travel abroad.

After investigating the identities of those arrested with the Central Tibetan Administration, the Tibetan Reception Centre in Kathmandu and the Tibetan refugee camp in Boudha, Lama claimed that the eight were not actually Tibetans.

Tibetans are now urging the government to begin issuing identity cards again to Tibetan refugees living in Nepal.

Currenty, Tibetan refugees living in Nepal do not have rights. They can legally be refused such basic services

as registering their children at hospitals, opening bank accounts and attending school. Also, at this time they are not allowed by the government to work or run businesses.

Because of pressure from the Chinese government, Nepal stopped issuing identity cards to Tibetans in 1998. China says the Tibetans living in Nepal are not refugees, but illegal immigrants. Also due to pressure from China, the TRWO was shut down by the Nepalese government in 2005.

The government of Nepal technically allows the safe passage of Tibetans traveling from Tibet into India.

According to Phayal, however, Wikileaks revealed earlier this year that China has financially rewarded Nepali security officials who arrested Tibetans trying to enter Nepal.

In addition, Nepal blocked a program offered by the United States in 2005 to resettle Tibetan refugees in the US, also because of opposition by China.

"We request the government of Nepal to clearly address all refugee issues in a uniform manner in the new constitution," Lama told Zee News.

India Building Roads, Railways Along Tibet Border ......Continues from front Page helicopter or a road that is often closed due to weather.

India has been increasingly concerned about Chinese infrastructure build-up along the border, as China is seen as a potential long-term threat to its security.

India will construct permanent military posts along the 4,057 kilometre Line of Action Control between Indian and Tibetan territories.

In the past, India has avoided border development because of concerns that roads and railways would make military invasion easier. However, due to China's recent development on its side of the border, India feels it is necessary to assert claim over its territory by

making development and tourism easier in border areas.

The Economic Times quoted chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence Satpal Maharaj as saying, "China is creating a (border) rail network and so should we."

The project, which also includes the building of a series of roads as well as permanent defenses, has faced problems because the engineers are working in a very remote area with quite difficult terrain and geography. Workers as well as equipment have to be brought in by helicopter.

The Indian Express reports that about 50 percent of the work on the 73 border road projects has been completed.