Page1 religious
harmony
Page 2 Tibetan
Opera Festival
Page 3 Solidarity
with Tibet
Page 5 Nuclear Summit Page 7
Earthquake in Tibet
Page 8 Arrested
20 Students
17th
University
Karmapa of Tibet
Student in Tibet
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Bi-Monthly
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Removed Chinese Flag
India Should lead World in Non-violence and Harmony Among Different Faiths: His Holiness
Chinese paramilitary police march during a Chinese flag raising ceremony near the Potala Palace to celebrate what it calls: AP
Dharamshala: A Tibetan protester from Driru County in eastern Tibet who stormed the Chinese official building in last month has been arrested, relayed Ngawang Tharpa from a phone call he received from Tibet. Mr Tharpa from The Tibet Express, which is based in Dharamshala, told The Tibet Post ...See page7
Capital of Tibet
Dharamshala: Tibet's spiritual and political leader, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama on Sunday stressed that great India "must take the lead" in promoting "secular ethics" with "Indian tradition of non-violence and harmony among various faiths", to present a model before the rest of the world. His Holiness the Dalai lama was speaking in Rishikesh where spiritual leaders drawn from various faiths said that voluntary efforts must complement governmental initiatives in cleaning the Ganga and addressing other pressing environmental concerns. "You should be proud of your nation, and you should be proud of your spiritual heritage. You (India) must continue to promote nonviolence and harmony among different faiths (no matter where you are)," His Holiness the Dalai Lama told The Indian Express, when asked about the challenges facing the country. "No matter where they are, the Chinese find a way to promote their food. Similarly, Indians,
India's main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party leader Lal Krishna Advani, sits at right as Yoga guru Baba Ramdev, centre, reacts with Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama, second right, in Haridwar, India, Saturday, April 3, 2010. Other three spiritual leaders seated left are unidentified. Photo: AP
wherever they are present in a group, in any part of the world, should promote the ideals of ahimsa (non-violence) and harmony," said
His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He stressed that "modern-day secular ethics (like compassion and kindness)" must complement "traditional .........See page 3
The main Tibetan temple called Jokhang in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. Photo: TPI/Thupten Yarphel
Dharamshala: An article published earlier today in China Daily, the Chinese government-mandated news source, stated that Lhasa's "rebuilding project" would be completed in May.
Japanese and Tibetan Intellectuals Focus on Tibet History in Tokyo Tibet never did anything seriously to contact the outside world." She lamented.
According to state controlled news agency Xinhua, the project is being implemented in .....See page 8
Discussion Japanese and Tibetan Intellectuals Focus on Tibet History in Tokyo. Photo: TPI
Tibetan journalists in exile held a panel discussion in Dharamshala, India on 11 April 2010. Photo: TPI
Dharamshala: The Association of Tibetan Journalists (ATJ) yesterday held a day of discussion and collaboration between Tibetan journalists in exile in Dharamsala, India. Over 20 Tibetan journalists attended the journalism discussions. Over the course of the discussions, journalists and executive members of the ATJ shared working experiences and opinions freely. Thupten Sampel, Spokesman of the Tibetan Government-in-exile was invited to lecture on the responsibility and ethics of journalism. "The ......See page 2
Human Right
Tokyo: Tempa Tsering, Tibetan minister and Chief Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Bureau office in Delhi, on the second leg of his visit to Japan addressed Japanese students and general public at Yotsuya Public hall in Tokyo on Tibet issue. Prof Ishihama of Waseda University shared the dais to give highlight on Tibetan history from the Japanese intellectual perspective to the audience of some hundred people. Prof. Ishihama in presentation on Tibetan history, made it clear that Tibet once existed as an independent nation. She dwelt on the spiritual influence that Tibetan Buddhist masters wielded over the Manchu, Chinese and Mongol emperors. She referred to the notes recorded by some Jesuit travelers to Tibet around 17th century that Dalai Lamas were not only revered in Tibet but equally in the neighboring countries like, Mongol, China and Nepal etc. "Tibet was a well established country in every sense." She said. "The problem was
Tempa Tsering spoke on the general history of Tibet and how in 1950s China invaded Tibet and how the Tibetan people, its religion and culture suffered. He recounted the Chinese dissidents Hu Jia and his wife Gao Zhisheng. Photo: AsiaNews/Agencies difficulties and sufferings of the Tibetan when they first arrived in Nepal and India as refugees, Dharamshala: Hu Jia, a Chinese political and the current situation of Tibetans in exile. activist, has been denied medical parole from prison. Mr. Hu, who is serving three and a The minister described the situation in Tibet half years in prison after being convicted in as critical, where Tibetans are reduced to 2008 for inciting subversion, is well-known second-class citizen in their own country. "All ............ See detail on page 2 the developments [including the railways, roads and airfields] that China boast of in Tibet are Social Service geared to serve the interest of Chinese government and to accommodate continued Chinese migration into Tibet." He clarified that the Tibetans are not against development, but the development should benefit the Tibetans in the region and should be able to compliment their culture. Prof Ishihama and Tempa Tsering la attended to questions from the audience. Answering to a question on Dalai Lama's reincarnation and China's interference, Prof Ishihama said that His Holiness on numerous occasions has said that the institution of Dalai Lama will live with the need of Tibetans, "purpose of the reincarnation is to continue the work of the former Dalai Lama, so to carry out the unfinished task of the 14th Dalai Lama, the 15th would come from a place where it can ......See page 5
Ngawang Lhamo, director of Tibetan handicape home, Nyingtopling with one of her Tibetan girl at Nyingtopling, Dharamshala, India on 17 March 2010. Photo: TPI/YC. Dhardhowa
Dharamshala: On the 27th of March, the Tibetan Handicapped Children's Craft Home (Nyingtob Ling) celebrated their tenth anniversary. Tibetan media were invited to a press conference which attempted to dispel .....Detail on page 2
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15 April , 2010 Dharamsala
TPI TIBET IN EXILE
The Tibet Post
17th Gyalwa Karmapa Graces 15th Director of Tibetan Handicapped Children Home Anniversary of Tibetan Opera Addresses Rumors, celebrates 10th anniversary Festival ......continued from frontpage more transparent with their provide them with education and recent rumors directed at the center and gave an account of the center's history. Since the founding of the Children's Craft Home in 1999, rumors had circulated that the center had contaminated the water of a neighboring school and blocked the passage of construction vehicles to a nearby monastery. After complaints from the directors of both institutions to the Private Office of His Holiness, officials were dispatched to investigate the allegations. 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Graces 15th Anniversary of Tibetan Opera Festival in Dharamshala, India on 27 March 2010. Photo: TPI/Sangay
Dharamshala: His Eminences the 17th Kar mapa Urg yen Trinley Dorjee Saturday graced the 15th anniversary of Traditional Opera Festival, which is one of the biggest festivals of Tibet and continues for six-day celebration of Tibetan opera at seven Tibetan institutions including the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA). In his welcome speech, Shosur, Sonam Choephel, director of the TIPA, expressed his gratitude to
In a speech delivered at the Children's Craft Home in May 1999, His India and Nepal, are participating. Holiness stated that the center should They will present works including the henceforth make an effort to be stories of brothers Donyoe and Dhondup, Dharma King Drime Kunden, Princess Nangsa Woebum, Tibetan Maha Yogi, Jetsun Mila Ralpa, and Prince Norsang. In the subsequent days of the Dharamshala: Noted Tibetan festival,they will present various opera resistance fighter and long-serving stories, including the stories of member of the Central Tibetan brothers Donyoe and Dhondup, Administration Bhusang La passed Dhar ma King Drime Kunden, away at 80 in Dharamsala on March Princess Nangsa Woebum, Tibetan 25th. Maha Yogi, Jetsun Mila Ralpa, and Born in Nyemo Disctrict in Tibet's central province of U-Tsang, Bhusang studied Tibetan medicine at the Men-Tsee Khang and in 1949 became a physician for the police department. He joined the Tibetan army in 1942 at the age of twelve, and fought for Tibetan Independence in the 1959 Uprising against the Chinese. His death closely follows the 50th anniversary of the Uprising.
Mr Sonam Choephel also thanked supporters from abroad, for their support in the revival and preservation of Shoton Festival - an ancient tradition of Tibet. He also detailed the historical origin of this ancient opera festival and emphasized the importance of Tibetan traditional performing arts. Around 350 performers, from nine regional Tibetan opera groups in
In the statement given to the press on Saturday, the founder and director of the Tibetan Handicapped Children's Craft Home, Ngawang Lhamo, also a member of the Tibetan Parliament, presented the media with a full audit of the center's expenses since its opening, inviting them to review the budget themselves. Of the development of the center, she said "The Children's Craft Home was started with the help of loans in 1999." She added that the center was proud of their achievements, saying "Since the establishment of our center, we have taken on 200 handicapped adults and children. We
training, which has allowed 2 girls to enter the TCV as fully functioning students. We also helped 10 children gain enough responsibility and selfreliance to return to their families. The center has also received several international art awards honoring the work of the residents." Lhamo also introduced the center's staff and workers. In terms of future projects and developments on the Tibetan Handicapped Children's Craft Home, she said, "We hope to enroll not only handicapped people from the Tibetan exile community, but also from the Himalaya region. We are hoping to build exercise facilities, a playground, and a library with books from inside and outside of Tibet."
Former Tibetan Resistance Fighter Dies at 80
15th anniversary of Traditional Opera Festival in Dharamshala, India on 27 March 2010. Photo: TPI/Sangay
Karmapa Rinpoche for gracing the event and extended warm welcome to all the guests and audience.
transitions in an effort to clear the air of rumors.
Prince Norsang. Shoton means "sour milk banquet" and the event is also known as "Buddha Exhibition Festival," because of the Buddha paintings that are displayed when it begins. The festival also traditionally included yak racing, horsemanship displays and gala parties. Taking responsibility in reviving this ancient tradition, in late seventies, Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts organized Shoton Festival for the first time in India in 1993.
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Bhusang was later selected by the CIA to be trained at Camp Hale, Colorado as part of the organisation's clandestine program to undermine communist and leftwing governments. In 1960 he was the sole sur vivor of a team parachuted into Markham district in Eastern Tibet. When he was captured, he tried to bite down on his cyanide capsule the CIA had provided, but was arrested before
Pa Bhusang la, a Tibetan freedom fighter who spend 18 years in Chinese prison. Photo: tibet.net/file
he could do so. The failure of the mission is credited with causing the CIA to reevaluate its tactics in Tibet. In his 18 years of imprisonment, he was continually interrogated and tortured by Chinese authorities. Bhusang escaped to India after his release in 1978, and served in the Department of Security of the Central Tibetan Administration from
1982 until his retirement in 2003. The Department of Security today released a statement on Bhusang's death: “Since his childhood Bhusang la has never wavered for a single day from his determination and commitment to work for the cause of Tibet and the people of Tibet. We deeply commend his service and pray for a good rebirth,� tibet.net reported.
Discussions Aim to Improve Exiled Tibetan Media Coverage ......continued from frontpage two most important responsibilities of the Tibetan journalist are to accurately disseminate information provided by Tibetans inside Tibet, who do so at the risk of their lives, and to cover news in exile communities comprehensively,"
www.tibetexpress.com
Sampel, who was trained in print journalism in the U.S., said. Bhuchung Sonam, who has recently completed his studies in Global Journalism, staged a workshop on the essentials of reporting to amateur
www.lhasapost.com
journalists. He criticised the monotonous coverage of human rights abuses in Tibet, and argued for a more creative and uplifting sampling of coverage, and argued against the current trend of rigid objectivism in Tibetan media.
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TPI DALAI LAMA 3 His Holiness the Dalai lama Begins Five Over 8,000 People Gathered to Day Visit to Switzerland Express Solidarity with Tibet The Tibet Post
15 April , 2010 Dharamsala
third largest Tibetan population in the world outside of China. During his visit, His Holiness the Dalai Lama will visit Rikon, which is home to the oldest Tibetan monastery in the West. He will also attend the first European Tibetan Youth Parliament, taking place in Zurich, with 150 participants from 11 countries.
Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama (C) greets supporters upon his arrival at the Tibetian Institut in the village of Rikon north of Zurich April 8, 2010. Photo: Reuters
Dharamshala: Tibetan spiritual His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived in Switzerland on Wednesday for a five day unofficial visit. While in the country he plans to deliver several speeches thanking the Swiss for their hospitality and support in welcoming Tibetan exiles to their country for 50
years. The first Tibetan refugees in Switzerland were a group of 20 children who moved to the Pestalozzi Children's Village in Trogen in 1960. There are currently around 4,000 Tibetans living in Switzerland, the
For the final days of his visit, he will participate in the Mind and Life Institute's Altruism and Compassion in Economic Systems conference, along with other leaders from scientific and social fields. His Holiness co-founded the Institute in 1987 to promote a dialogue between modern science and current contemplative religions. His Holiness will meet with Pascale Bruderer, the speaker of the Swiss National Council, and the highest ranking Swiss official who consented to officially meet with him during his visit.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama Delivers Slovenia Lecture
His Holiness addressing the Solidarity Rally for Tibet in Zurich, Switzerland. Photo: The Tibet Bureau, Geneva
Dharamshala: Over 8,000 people gathered at MĂźnsterhof, in the heart of Zurich city to express solidarity with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people. "Expressing solidarity with our cause is very useful to remind China of the Tibetan cause," said His Holiness the Dalai Lama. "I very much appreciate it." He further said that the Chinese Government must address the reality of the Tibetan problem. His Holiness added that he was 100 percent certain that the Tibetan issue will not disappear, despite China using force and suppression on the Tibetan people. He reiterated that he was not seeking separation from China. His Holiness the Dalai Lama said he welcomed people's support of Tibet's non-violence struggle and asked them to also practice nonviolence at home. Solidarity rally is important for the Tibetan struggle, as it snow that it is not the struggle of few Tibetans but ordinary people worldwide are
India Should lead ......continued from frontpage values (like non-violence in society)".
His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Maribor, Slovenia
Dharamshala: His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived yesterday in Maribor, Slovenia's second largest city, where he gave a sermon on Ethics for the New Millennium During the lecture, which was the highlight of His Holiness' three-day visit to Slovenia, the Tibetan spiritual leader said that he crossed into India in April 1959 "not because of civil war or disaster, but a new guest came to Tibet without invitation and controlled everything". Reaffirming his position on Tibet and his Middle Way approach, His Holiness said "We are not seeking separation but are committed to
remain within PRC." In response to a question that was asked, "What is the purpose of life?" he replied "A happy life. [The] future is uncertain but we remain with hope. Once hope is lost, our very life is shortened. Hope means something good. The very purpose of life is happiness." The following morning, Tibet's spiritual leader met with Maribor mayor Franc Kangler and was presented with the keys to the city. At Maribor City Park, His Holiness planted the Tree of Peace and told the crowd, "violence, bloodshed and war is out of date. The 20th Century was the century of
bloodshed and 21st century should be a century of dialogue". His Holiness also addressed over 1,000 eager students of the Maribor 1st High School on human values, and met with opposition leader of the Slovenian Democratic Party and former Prime Minister, Mr. Janez JanĹĄa. His Holiness is set to participate in the XX Mind and Life Conference on Altruism and Compassion in Economic Systems - A Dialogue between Economics, Neuroscience and Contemplative Sciences, which will be held in Zurich, Switzerland from April 9 to 11.
The 74 year-old, Nobel Peace laureate, His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Saturday told reporters that his life long commitment is to promote religious harmony. Addressing the media at Kangra airport in Dharamshala before leaving for Uttarakhand. He said his life long commitment is to promote religious harmony. "One of my life long commitment is promotion of religious harmony. I think almost 40 years ago, I participated in the Maha Kumbh Mela, for the first time. So at that time I received some sort of protests from some Buddhist group. Now, I think everybody now knows my commitment," he added.
showing support. His Holiness spoke about two of his three commitments in life 1) human value and 2) religious harmony. At the end of His Holiness' address at the Solidarity Rally, he said, "So my brothers and sisters, please think of these two points. Please promote these two points. If you do this, it shows you are a good friend of the Dalai Lama." In the morning, His Holiness addressed the First European Tibetan Youth Parliament. The aim of the Youth Parliament is to bring together young Tibetans from across Europe to discuss Tibetan issue and working together across Europe especially. Tendon Dahortsang, the President of Tibetan Youth Association in Europe in her welcome address said, "Though we have grown up in different parts of the world, we are Tibetans and to serve the Tibetan people's struggle." She said that during her first visit to Tibet in 2002, she met an elderly Tibetan in Lhasa who asked where she came from. During their talk, the elderly Tibetan said that the Tibetan people in Tibet have great expectations from the Tibetan in exile community especially the youth. The First European Tibetan Youth Parliament conference is organized by the Tibetan Youth Association in Europe, based in Switzerland. This year Tibetan Youth Association in Europe is marking the 40th Anniversary since it was founded. In his address to the First European Tibetan Youth Parliament, His Holiness said that that the older Tibetan generation is dying. It is the responsibility of the younger generation to continue the struggle of Tibet. In 2008, the world heard the suffering of three generation of Tibetan. "We are the representatives of the Tibetans in Tibet. Thinking about the future of Tibet is important," said His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
TPI INTERNATIONAL 4 His Holiness Visits Mind and Life China Tightening Border Control in Tibet: Top Conference in Zurich 15 April , 2010 Dharamsala
His Holiness the Dalai Lama (4th left) speaks at the opening session of the Mind and Life XX Conference in Zurich, Switzerland, on 9 April 2010
Dharamshala: His Holiness the Dalai Lama has participated in the Mind and Life Institute's Altruism and Compassion in Economic Systems conference in Zurich, Swiss, along with other leaders from scientific and social fields. Session 1 After introductory remarks by Adam Engle, CEO and co-founder of the Mind & Life Institute, Rector Andreas Fischer - the President of the University of Zurich - welcomed everyone and introduced His Holiness the Dalai Lama. His Holiness then took the stage and said, "I do not know how to make money. But I know it can be useful." He relayed a story where he asked one of his business friends about the roots of the current economic crisis, and his friend told him it was greed, possibly even the desire to cheat for profit. "Even I know this is bad for the economic system," His Holiness said. He also spoke of a wish for all of us to continue striving for enhanced wisdom, and pondered whether the results of this conference may point toward a better direction for economic systems. Roshi Joan Halifax outlined the direction of the conference and handed it over to the presenters. Dan Batson, of the University of Kansas, opened with a very direct question Does altruism exist? After speaking about egoism and empathy, he referenced empathy-based experiments and what they might infer. Tania Singer, of the University of Zurich, explained two neural routes to understanding others' minds - via empathy and compassion and via the "theory of mind," the conscious thinking of someone else's mental state. After explaining neural networks and their relation to compassionate thoughts and feelings, she talked of how some people have a deficit in comprehending their own feelings. Studies of meditation have been shown to help this deficiency.
Richard Davidson, of the University of Wisconsin, followed up on these ideas and posited two big points that there are different levels of empathy and compassion in people, which have biological roots, and empathy and compassion can be regarded as skills, which can be trained and enhanced. He then reviewed neuroscientific research in these areas; results showed that subjects who had more extensive mental training had a greater tendency to exhibit signs of altruism. Matthieu Ricard, of Shechen Monastery, presented last and helped enlighten the audience to Buddhist notions of compassion, empathy and altr uism. For example, compassion is the desire to help alleviate suffering in others, whatever it may be. Session 2 The afternoon session began with Joan Silk of UCLA, who defined altruism biologically, as seen in other species. Research has shown that altruism is common and beneficial in many species. As humans develop during childhood, they trend away from this commonality in other species. One notable exchange during the conversation with His Holiness went as follows. "Does hostility come from not being connected? For instance, if bees from one colony are mixed with bees from another colony, do they see each other as alien or other?" Joan replied, "There doesn't seem to be much flexibility in their behaviour, though I do not know much of bees. So the 'outgroup' or 'other' perspective seems to remain intact." His Holiness mused, "Does biological altruism require the ability to appreciate others? Mosquitoes, I think, have no appreciation! One may land on me, and I let it feed. But then it flies away and shows no appreciation!" Ernst Fehr of the University of
The Tibet Post
Zurich then talked about how true altruism in humans is rare, as we normally want or expect benefit for our costs, especially within economics. He defined altruism as actions to benefit an 'other,' but at cost to the actor and with no envisioned gain for the actor at the outcome, except possibly psychological benefit like happiness. Tania Singer then spoke about 3 motivational systems in the human brain: incentive-focused, threatfocused, and non-wantingaffiliation-focused. She talked of experiments to increase trust among individuals. John Dunne, of Emory University, explained compassion and altruism from the Buddhist perspective as they might relate to economics. One of the ultimate goals is happiness, so what are the costs and resources needed to attain that goal? The resources are internal, and thus of the highest value. If we can realign our priorities to focus on maintaining and enhancing our internal resources, we may see a shift toward a better economic system. He spoke of a Buddhist technique of internalizing the idea that all sentient beings were at some point your mother in a previous life; you can extend the feeling or connection you have with your mother to all beings. "Not that everyone has the greatest connection with their mother, but you understand what I mean," John said. "I had a GOOD mother, though, just to be clear." "So did I," laughed His Holiness. So, today was a ground-laying time of concepts and large ideas, setting us up for tomorrow, which will start exploring possibilities of where we go and of applied economics to further some of these ideas. During the lunch break, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said at the Meet the Press session, "Recent economic crisis shows money fails to bring inner peace." His Holiness spoke about two of his three commitments in life 1) human value and 2) religious harmony. His Holiness said that this year marks the 50th Anniversary of Tibetans arriving in Switzerland. He said the Government of India had extended maximum assistance on the Tibetans arrival in India from Tibet. He thanked Switzerland for welcoming Tibetan refugees. "It is our duty to thank the Swiss government, (its) people and in particular the Swiss Red Cross" for assistance to Tibetan refugees since 1960. Tibetan spirit is very alive in Tibet and the community in exile carries the same Tibetan spirit alive. Tibetans in Switzerland are good Swiss citizens but carry Tibetan spirit and contributing to the Swiss economy.
Tibetan Official
Tibetan minister, Tempa Tsering briefing to media in Tokyo, the captial of Japan on 02 April 2010. Photo: TPI
Dharamshala: China is clamping down on Tibetan refugees by strengthening its border control, a senior official for the Tibetan government-in-exile told reporters at a Tokyo press conference on Friday. "Until 2008, every year we had on average between 2,500 and 3,000 people who had escaped from Tibet. But since the demonstrations in March 2008, that number has fallen," said Tempa Tsering, Tibetan minister and representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. "Last year about 600 have come out," Tsering said, "firstly, the social restrictions in Tibet [have increased], secondly, security in all the mountain paths is strengthened, and thirdly in the Nepali government, the Chinese are now training the Nepali army to guard the border, saying 'we'll train your personnel, we'll equip your police'." The comments come after Chinese security forces last month stepped up
the crackdown in Tibet's capital Lhasa, two years after protests marking a failed 1959 uprising erupted in deadly violence. More than 400 people have so far been rounded up in the most recent of the annual Chinese "strike hard storm" campaigns, according to reports. The US State Department last month said China's rights record "remained poor and worsened in some areas," with repression in the restive Tibet and East Chinese Turkestan regions, and the detention and harassment of activists. The annual State Department report also said that China imposed "tight government controls" on Tibetans, who were denied freedom of religion and faced severe repercussions if they tried to escape to Nepal. Nepal has been under growing pressure from China to clamp down on Tibetans who try to cross the Himalayan region en route to India.
Chinese Human Rights Activist Denied Medical Parole ......continued from frontpage for his work supporting human rights, AIDS advocacy, and environmental causes. Mr. Hu has been suffering from liver problems for some time and was recently taken to the prison hospital to be tested for liver cancer. However, prison authorities said that his test results were negative for cancer and that he would not be granted medical parole. While he does have a blood tumor on his liver, this condition does not meet
the requirements needed for medical parole. Mr Hu has been taken back to prison to fulfill the remainder of his sentence. His wife, Zeng Jinyan, had requested the parole when she found out that her husband had been experiencing liver ailments. Mrs. Zeng asked for a written report of her husband's medical diagnosis, but was denied by prison authorities. She is also an activist and is under surveillance by the Chinese government.
TPI INTERNATIONAL
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15 April , 2010 Dharamsala
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Tibetans Protest Hu’s Inclusion HH the Dalai Lama Offers Condolences in Nuclear Summit
to the People of Poland
Dharamsala: The Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama offered his condolences to the people of Polland for the tragic loss of President Kacynski, and the 95 passengers who died in a plane crash in Western Russia. On the 10th of April, His Holiness, who is currently in Switzerland for a five-day visit, sent a letter of condolence to the Polish Prime Minister Donald Tust to express his grief over the death of the Polish President and other important public figures. U.S. President Barack Obama meets Chinese President Hu Jintao during the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington on Monday. Photo: AP
Dharamshala: A group of Tibetans and Falun Gong practitioners gathered today in Washington DC, USA to protest the inclusion of Chinese president Hu Jintao in a nuclear summit taking place between world leaders today in the nation's capital. The protesters, who wore traditional garb and waved Tibet's flag, gathered in a group of around 100 in Samuel
Tibetan supporters display anti-Chinese placards in Washington. Photo: AFP
Gompers Square, a mere walk from the Washington convention center where US president Barack Obama and 46 other world leaders were participating in a 2-day summit on nuclear security. The Falun Gong practitioners added their silent support by meditating peacefully alongside the vocal Tibetan protesters. Also present in Samuel Gompers square was around a dozen Asian men, who were carrying Chinese and American flags in support of Hu's
visit. The nuclear summit's primary aim is to discuss how best to keep loose nuclear material secure, in order to prevent it from coming into the possession of extremists. However, the Tibetans did not feel that China's participation in the summit would have a positive result. Said protester Migmar Wanggi, "World leaders should be careful of what Hu Jintao says. There are a lot of things about him that we, and world leaders, don't see." Trying to put the matter in perspective, Tenzin Dolkar of Students for a Free Tibet said, "We want to ask Obama to pressure Hu to free Tibet because if the goal of this nuclear summit is to find global security, then having Tibet as an independent nation acting as a buffer zone between two nuclear nations would be the solution." Another activist, Wangchuk Shakabpa of the US Tibet Committee said, "China will never admit to having nuclear weapons on the Tibetan plateau, but we suspect they do, and US intelligence reports have said the Chinese have used Tibet as a dumping ground for nuclear waste."
.................. Tibet History in Tokyo ......continued from frontpage freely work for the Tibetan cause." She explained. On what Japanese and Japanese business community could do for Tibet, Kalon Tempa Tsering replied that they should read and study Tibetan history and to support justice and freedom. He explained about Tibetan Chamber of Commerce where the business community in Japan can study the possibility of for ming mutually beneficial partnership and employment opportunities. Mr. Lhakpa Tshoko, Representative of Liaison Office of His Holiness
the Dalai Lama for Japan and East Asia, thanked the speakers and audiences for their participation in the talk. He requested the Japanese public's continued support for the Tibetan cause. Many in the audience expressed their desire to be of some help to the Tibetan cause, its struggle for freedom and justice. Young students in the audience expressed satisfaction for being able to hear directly from a highly placed Tibetan official in exile on Tibet issue. --Report filed by Tsewang Gyalpo Arya, Liaison Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tokyo
His Holiness recalled on the privilege of meeting with the President when
he visited Poland and expressed his admiration for the Presidents dedication to freedom, democracy and human rights.
The body of Polish President Lech Kacynski has been flown back to Warsaw a day after his plane crashed in western Russia, killing all 96 people on board. Photo: AP
China Steals Emails of His Holiness the Dalai Lama: Report Twitter, Blogspot and Baidu Blogs the Chengdu based cyber-thefts were able to seize control, once computers were infected. Given the sophistication of the intruders, the researchers said, it is possible that the Chinese government may have approved of the spying.
Members of the Information Warfare Monitor and the Shadowserver Foundation Greg Walton (L), Ron Deibert and Nart Villeneuve (R) release their report 'Shadows In The Clouds: An Investigation Into Cyber Espionage 2.0' during a news conference in Toronto April 6, 2010. The report documents cyber espionage that compromised computer systems in India, the Offices of the Dalai Lama, the United Nations and several other countries. Photo: Reuters
Dharamshala: Naming the group the "shadow network", researches of the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto, have released a new report, in which states that up to 1500 personal emails dating from January 2009 to November 2009 of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's had been stolen. Not only His Holiness the Dalai Lama was attacked, but also classified documents about the security of several Indian states, documents of India's relations with West Africa, Russia and the Middle East. Also the 21 Mountain Artillery Brigade in Assam, three air force bases and the Indian Military Engineer Services in Bengdubi, Kolkata, Bangalore and Jalandhar were infiltrated. As Indian government computers were breached documents related to the travel of NATO forces and reconstruction missions in Afghanistan are also in jeopardy. Due to the fact that persons working for NATO travel through India and are issued visa's through government computers, computers that were compromised in both Kandahar and Kabul in Afghanistan. Even though the main focus of the cyber attacks were directed towards
the Indian Government, other affected areas included the Institute for Defense Studies and Analysis also documents from the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific were also stolen. The cyber-security researches not only from Canada but also the United States have traced the cyber criminal gang back to the city of Chengdu in the province of Sichuan, China. This is not the first serious assault on international security from a Chinese based cyber-spies, previously one year before a cyber group going by the name of Ghostnet had caught the attention of the researches. Using computer servers, mostly based on the island of Hainan, Ghostnet gleaned documents from governments and corporations of over 103 countries including documents of the Dalai Lamas, Tibet's spiritual leader. Through the investigation of Ghostnet, researchers were able to learn of this second Internet spy operation. And have been following its movements now for the last eight months. Using social networks such as Yahoo! Mail, blog.com, Google Groups,
"Some reports have, from time to time, been heard of insinuating or criticizing the Chinese government...I have no idea what evidence they have or what motives lie behind." said Jiang Yu, a Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman. She then commented "My personal view is that this is an attempt by the foreign media to spin the issue of hacking for political purposes, especially since this report is related to Tibet. The report appears groundless and comes from an institute that is not credible." Although after the eight months of watching the spy ring, researchers of the University of Toronto could not induce exactly who was using the Chengdu computers to infiltrate the Indian government. "But an important question to be entertained is whether the P.R.C (People's Republic of China) will take action to shut the Shadow Network down," the report says. "Doing so will help to address longstanding concerns that malware ecosystems are actively cultivated, or at the very least tolerated, by governments like the P.R.C. who stand to benefit from their exploits through the black and gray markets for information and data." IN concern with His Holiness, a spokesman for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Mr. Tenzin Takhlha stated "These things are not new," As it was a much larger attack last year on the Tibetan-in-exile government by Ghostnet. Mr. Tenzin Takhlha went on to say that the office is working in conjunction with the researchers to secure its computer systems.
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15 April , 2010 Dharamsala
TPI
The Tibet Post
Tibetan Scholarship Alumni Tibetan Journalists Attend Delhi Media Meetings working experience and gave advice Association Launches Website and recommendations to the Tibetan California, Massachusetts, Iowa [and others]. The vast majority of students return to their communities and become leaders."
Thupten Lungrig, Minister for the Department of Education inaugurated the new website in the opening ceremony in Dharamsala
Dharamsala:Tibetan Scholarship Program Alumni Association launched its official website today (tsapalumni.com). Thupten Lungrig, Minister for the Department of Education inaugurated the new website in the opening ceremony in Dharamsala. The president of the association Dolkar Wangmo, Tenzin Chopal, Secretary of Education and alumni and Tibetan media were in attendance. President Dolkar Wangmo introduced the Alumni of US Tibetan Scholarship Program. "The Tibetan Scholarship Program was created in 1988, with a grant from the US government to the Tibetan Education Depertment, making it possible to sponsor the education of 364 Tibetan students over the years". The website states its purpose to "promote educational opportunities and democratic ideals in the Tibetan Community, thereby strengthening Tibetan culture and human resource capabilities." According to their website, "students have received a higher education at Columbia, Yale, New York University. State University of New York ,
Dolkar wangmo said "alumnis are taking high positions in their communities; in parliament, as directors of schools and NGOs, and in the media. This is a credit to the program." Out of the 363 students sponsored, 125 are currently working in the Tibetan government, in NGOs or in independent organisations in Tibetan exile communities. 40 alumni have moved abroad after serving their communities for more than two years. 70 alumni received a scholarship and did not return back to exile communities. 7 have passed away since the program began. Minister for Education Thupten Longrig in his keynote address said, "we now have the human resources, but finding trained and qualified people is difficult. For the alumni we have offered the highest opportunities. If they are preoccupied only with their own wants and needs, I think it is not only a loss for the general community, it is not a productive way of life."
Dharamshala: As the death toll rises in the Yushu province of Tibet after the region was struck by an earthquake of magnitude 6.9 early wednesday morning, aid and relief efforts are pouring into the high altitude area known as the "roof of the world." Despite the influx of relief workers to the Tibetan plateau, rescue efforts were not proceeding as fast as many would have liked due to the harsh conditions of the region. The altitude of the Yushu region averages around 13,000 ft (4,000 meters), causing many aid workers unused to the inhospitible conditions of the plateau to suffer from oxygen deprivation and altitude sickness. Despite these setbacks, with more than 10,000 Chinese solders, police,
The group also visited New Delhi Television Limited, a large professional broadcast organisation, who lectured the group on the basics of broadcast journalism (there currently exist no Tibetan-run broadcast organisations), and introduced the group to the logistics and practices of a large professional broadcaster. Tibetan reporters and members of ATJ in front of NDTV. Photo: TPI
Dharamshala: 11 journalists, editors and reporters with the Association of Tibetan Journalists (ATJ) embarked yesterday on a tour of Indian and foreign media organisations in Delhi. Meetings were arranged by Ms Yudon, Director of Delhi based Youth Empowerment. The eleven first met with Ms Tenzin
The Tibetan Scholarship Alumni Association was established in 1959. The 6th term of the Executive Body of the association is running the current program. A new executive will be elected in June.
firefighters, and medical workers now on hand in Yushu county, China has started turning away offers of help from foreign aid organizations. The Tibetan plateau is an isolated, rural area, and with so many relief workers pouring into the region its scarce resources are feeling the strain. Supplies of food, water, gas, and other necessities are dwindling, reported Pierre Deve, a program director with the Snowland Service Group. Zou Ming, the director of disaster relief with the Ministry of Civil Affairs, said that tents, thick quilts, clothing and food were in demand, but that many relief workers were finding it hard to deliver the needed objects to sur vivors due to transportation constraints. Many rescue crews were focusing on excavating schoolchildren, trapped in the remnants of their fragile mudwalled schools, from the rubble. Medical aid, food, and shelter are the top priority for the 100,000 people living in the quake zone, said Ming.
Nangsyal, sub-editor for The Hindustan Times, to seek advice about the future development of Tibetan journalism. The group then met Mr Gaupam Siddharth, a journalist for the Associated Press, and Ms Shivani Rawat, a vocal supporter of Tibetan issues working for Associated Press Television, who shared their
This morning the group visited international media group CNN, IBN. Karma Chopal from Sikhim, a national award-winning reporter, explained the running of the organisation, and addressed the areas which Tibetan media could improve its professionalism and quality. The final day of the trip will include a tour of the BBC and another visit to The Hindustan Times.
Tibetan Scholarship Alumni Association Launches Website
The Minister was keen to stress the importance of alumni returning to Tibetan communities, "Returning to serve the community is a very honourable and virtuous action and a service to His Holiness."
Relief Efforts Pour into Tibetan Plateau
Rescue crews working to save lives in Kyigudo, Eastern Tibet.
journalists.
Mr Jacques Roussel, who living with Tibetan nuns
Dharamshala: YC. Dhardhowa, editor of The Tibet Post International sat down earlier today with Jacques Roussel, a Tibet activist from Canada to learn more about his background and the social work he is performing in Dharamshala and elsewhere. Although he has been interesting in Tibetan culture since the 1950s, Roussel only recently made it to the home of the Tibetan community in exile. After his first trip to Dharamshala in 1997, he became much more involved in humanitarian work within the Tibetan community and for the Tibetan cause. One special connection that Roussel made on his first trip to India was with the children of the TCV. Having been raised in an orphanage himself, he said, "When I met kids from TCV I was totally comfortable with them and they with me because I knew what they were going through because of our common background." Another connection he made in Dharamshala was with Tibetan culture in general. Although he had been reading about it for almost four decades, he said that being in the Tibetan community in exile
caused him to, "face T i b e t a n culture and this woke me up to something a b o u t myself." Since then, he has raised awareness for the Tibetan cause and the T i b e t a n community in general through various projects. One project in particular will hopefully bolster support for and knowledge of Tibet in Canada, the "Tibetan Bazaars" that Roussel has been hosting since his trip to Dharamshala in 1999. At every "Tibetan Bazaar," Roussel puts on a slide-show of Tibetan life and culture, serves Tibetan food, and shares Tibetan artifacts. Ideally, he said, he would like to have a Tibetan monk speak at each event as well. He says that the events started small but that over time he hopes they will expand into larger scale festivals that will allow people to celebrate and appreciate Tibetan culture. Roussel said that even though humanitarian work is not a profitable profession, he wouldn't be happy if he wasn't helping other people. Living by the slogan of "Money can't buy happiness," his personal philosophy is that wealth means nothing if you don't share it with others. Why did you give all this help? Happiness for me. If I can help like this it makes me happy. If I am happy, then I am a better person
and I go true. But that is not money? No never money. What was that slogan you told me yesterday? "No Money Buy Me Home", but 'Om Mani-Ped Med-Hun'. I always get out of misery with happiness. money is important if you can help people by sharing what you have, it means nothing if you don't share it. If you share you are more comfortable with yourself. What kinds of things do you think are missing in Tibetan society? This is complicated . my personal view is very little is missing. I think that theres three internal societies: business, society in exile, monastery. I think the monastery is a bit of a big business as well. When I see monks in cafes with cell phones I don't think that that is the proper life for a monk. They should help and share. You don't think monks lifes should involve politics and technology? No they should but they should share it, they are very clever, but I think they should share what they have with those who have less. It's the basics of compassion. This way everyone will become equal. Of course Tibetan monks should go to school and teach. If Buddhism is not taught in schools by monks and nuns, how will it continue? It almost a privilege now to meet a monk. Maybe it's a closed society. Spirituality should not be a business. Christians made a business out of their religion, theyre so rich! You should not gain material and money and keep it for yourself.
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The Tibet Post
15 April , 2010 Dharamsala
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Earthquake Shakes Tibet's 6-13 Year Sentences for 3 Tibetans in Ngawa Yushu County
6.9 earthquake hit Yushu county, eastern Tibet, on 14th April 2010, Photo:xinhua
Dharamshala: An earthquake of magnitude 6.9 shook Tibet's Yushu region earlier today. The quake hit at a depth of 10km at 7:49 AM, 380 kilometers south-south-east of Golmud, reported the US Geological survey. According to the Chinese state television, the initial death casualty 67 rose to about300, with an additional 8,000 injured, and its two aftershocks which measured 5.3 and 5.2 on the Richter scale. Xinhua also reported that at least 90 percent of homes in the affected area collapsed, and that Chinese soldiers were dispatched to the area to help excavate people trapped in the
rubble. While many taller buildings survived the quake, many local houses, built with thick walls and ceilings, were not so lucky. "Everybody is out in the streets standing in front of their houses, trying to find their family members," said Karsum Nyima, the head of news for the Yushu county television station. The Yushu region has a population of about 252,000 people, about 97% of whom are Tibetan. and has been prone to earthquakes in the past. Chinese officials estimate that the homes of around 5 million people were destroyed, and that rebuilding efforts will take at least 3 years.
Choedar, 35, monk in Kirti Monastery from Jolep, Ngawa County.
Jigme from Ngawa County, east Tibet.
Jamyang Phuntsok, monk in Kirti Monastery from Jolep, Ngawa County.
Dharamshala: Kirti Monastery's Emergency Coordination Committee today reported 3 Tibetans in Ngawa County were sentenced to between 6 and 13 years in prison due to their involvement in the 2008 Tibet protests.
300,000 Yuan as a reward for information leading directly to his arrest.
after alleged pro-independence involvement.
Choedar, 35, and Jamyang Phuntsok, monks in Kirti Monastery from Jolep, Ngawa County were sentenced to 13 and 6 years in prison respectively. Jigme, 40, also from Jolep, was sentenced to 7 years. Choedar was arrested in August 2009. He was detained without trail until 9 April 2010 when he received his sentence, charged with leading the 2008 protest and involvement with political actions. Before his capture, Chinese authorities issued a warrant for his capture, and offered between 200,000 and
First Stage of “Lhasa Rebuilding” Nears completion, says Xinhua
Solha and Dhunkho a couple with whom Choedar had been staying with while in hiding, were also arrested for providing him shelter. Solha has since been released but Dhunkho remains in detention without trail. Choedar was previously arrested in 1998 for allegedly putting up proindependence posters as the Chinese "Love Your Country, Love Your Religion" campaign was implemented by force in monasteries in Ngawa County. Jigme was arrested on 7 February 2009. He was also detained without trial until 9 April 2010, when he was charged with leaking national security information since 2009. In 1992 he was detained for a year,
Jamyang was abducted from his room by Chinese authorities on 3 March 2009. He was detained without trial until 9 April, when he was also charged with leaking national security information. In 2009, Jamyang witnessed Chinese authorities shoot dead a fellow monk, Tabei, who was attempting to immolate himself in protest to Chinese oppression. Chinese staterun media Xinghua falsely reported that Jamyang Phuntsok, also known as Jangko, had fabricated the story in an attempt to discredit Chinese rule in Tibet. The 3 Tibetans are the latest in a long chain of political arrests resulting from the 2008 Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule in many parts of Tibet.
China’s New “Peace” Airport
Lhasa's "rebuilding project" would be completed in May. According to state controlled news agency Xinhua, the project is being implemented in three stages, the first stage having started in October 2009. Over the course of all three stages, the project allegedly aims to rebuild 22 main streets around the Potala Palace and the Jokhang Temple. The rebuilding will be done in traditional Tibetan style. The first stage is expected to rebuild 7 of the 22 streets, at a cost of 8 million US dollars. The main Tibetan temple called Jokhang in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. Photo: TPI/Thupten Yarphel
Dharamshala: An article published earlier today in China
Daily, the Chinese governmentmandated news source, stated that
According to the article, so-called "Tibetan costumes" will be displayed around Lhasa's main street as part of the first stage of rebuilding.
Tibetan Man Who Removed Chinese Flag Later Set on Fire Arrested ......continued from frontpage International that Mr Konchok Namg yal was ar rested by the Chinese local authorities two weeks ago after removing the Chinese flag from the Chinese community meeting hall, setting the flag on fire and spraying slogans on the front of the building. "No one knows where he has been
detained" said, Mr Tharpa. The Chinese officials took the Tibetan man into custody without declaring any information to his family. Since his detention, he has not been charged and the location of his imprisonment remains unknown. He is reportedly a 22 year old named Konchok from Totho village, Tsachu Town, Driru county,
eastern Tibet. Since March 2008 over 222 Tibetans have been killed, 1,294 injured and 290 sentenced, more than 5,600 were arrested or detained and over 1,000 disappeared after the Chinese ar med military deadly cracked down in all parts of Tibet.
The inauguration ceremony on construction work of the Peace Airport in Xigaze, southwestern Tibet.(Xinhua/ Chogo)
Dharamshala: Construction has started on a new Chinese airport called "Peace Airport". The airport is stationed on the Tibetan side of Mount Everest. The stated purpose of the so called new airport is to create greater access to the Tibetan Plateau, home to some of the highest peaks in the world. However, with the name "Peace Airport", it could have a very different connotation to Tibetans. Construction will take place on Shigatse, the Nepal-China highway. It will make travel to the Himalayan region very accessible for air passengers. The airport has hopes to inflate the tourist industry in the area.
One of the main attractions for visitors is the Tashilhunpo Monastary of the Chinese-selected Panchen Lama. Because the new airport will be located within the so-called "Tibet Autonomous Region", this airport will increase traffic from the rest of China into the "TAR". This is reflective of a growing trend of a Chinese presence in Tibet. The airport will be completed in October of this year and is projected to cost around $71.7 million. It will be able to accommodate up to 230,000 passengers, 1,150 tonnes of cargo and 2,580 take-offs and landings every year until 2020.
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15 April , 2010 Dharamsala
China Arrests Two Tibetan Writers from University of Lanzhou
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The Tibet Post
Up to 20 Students Aged 11 to 15 Arrested in Driru County, Eastern Tibet Dharamshala: On 22nd of March, dozens of primary school students aged 11 to 15, staged a demonstration against Chinese rule in Eastern Tibet, resulting in the arrest of up to 20 students. Ngawang Tharpa, a Tibetan from Sog County currently living in exile, revealed the news today in a letter to The Tibet Post International.
The book of Blood Letter written by Tashi Rabten. Photo: TPI
Dharamshala: Chinese authorities have recently arrested two Tibetan students from the Northwest University for Nationalities in Lanzhou, the so called capital of Gansu province in northwestern China ,according to a report published by wokar Tibetan site. The arrested Tibetans were suspected of having involved with political activism or writings on Tibet issues. The report said that at 11:30pm on April 4th, around 16 ununiformed Chinese security officials stormed into the university hostel and ransacked the students' rooms, rummaging through the clothes and underneath the beds. The security men have impounded the students' Tibetan books, cell phones, laptops, even the study reference materials, and immediately arrested two young Tibetan writers: Tashi Rabten, penname Therang and Druklo, pen name Shokjang. In January of last year, Tashi Rabten
published a book entitled Blood Letter (Tibetan: Trakyig), which his supporters defend as an honest and accurate description of The March 10th 2008 peacefull protests in all parts of Tibet. The Chinese government, however, had cut off Blood Letter's distribution and confiscated copies that have already been sold, banning this book due to its "suspicious" political content. They began to monitor the author's daily activities and conduct clandestine interrogations, and at one point abducted him. The report further detailed that some students from the University are declaring that they are going to stage protest against government's harsh policy towards Tibetans; to keep arresting innocent students and flouting one's personal privacy. They have expressed outrageously that "If the government continues to violate our freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, freedom of thought, and privacy, we will certainly protest."
First Microcredit Institution Opens in Tibet
Chinese microcredit opens in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. Photo: Xinnhua
Dharamshala: The first microcredit institution in the region was established in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet on April 11th, reported Chinese government-mandated news agency Xinhua. The Yurong Microcredit Company has a registered capital of 7.33 million US dollars, the full funding of which was supplied by private investors
and enterprises. The function of microcredit companies is to provide very small loans to people living in or close to poverty to help stimulate entrepreneurship. Micro loans are extended to those who cannot establish credit allowing them to get loans, because they do not have any steady employment or collateral of their own. A spokesperson for the Yurong Microcredit Company said that their target group is small and medium sized enterprises, along with herdsmen and entrepreneurs. Said the representative, "One of our purposes is to improve the life standard and social welfare of the poor people in this region."
The students from Centre Primary School in Tsala Township, Driru County, protested Chinese occupation of Tibet, shouting slogans such as "Free Tibet!", "Chinese out of Tibet!", and "Let His Holiness come back to Tibet!". Student protesters were quickly surrounded by armed Chinese police and security personnel, and up to twenty of the young protesters were arrested. Many of the children's parents were also taken for interrogation. Further details of the protest and subsequent crackdown remain unclear.
Chinese paramilitary police march on the streets of Dhartsedho, Ganzi prefecture of southwestern China's Sichuan province, Monday, March 9 , 2009. Photo: AP
The names of those arrested include: Thupten Jongney, Thupten Wangchuk, Norbu Jongney, Norbu Tenzin, Thegchok Gyatso, Rinchen Phuntsok, Yeten Lhundup and Tseten Dorjee. The names of the many others are unknown. The situation in Tsala township remains extremely tense, with a heavily armed police presence still on
display to deter any further revolt. There are currently no details of the whereabouts or conditions of the students arrested, or of the parents who were interrogated. More than 220 Tibetans have been killed, over 5,600 arrested or detained, and over 1000 have disappeared since March 2008.
Peaceful Protests for fired school members Headmaster Kyabchen Dedrol and his two assistants-Do Re and Choekyong Tseten, were sacked, following a pro-independence protest by the Tibetan Nationality Middle School's students.
Tibetan Nationality Middle School in Machu County, Gansu Province
Dharamsala: Having staged one previously, students of the Tibetan Nationality Middle School in Machu County, Gansu Province, (traditionally in Tibet's Amdo Province), last week orchestrated another peaceful protest against the local government. Reported a Tibetan exile who has contacts in the province. Led by its seniors,the 1500 students of the Middle School, began the protest around 3pm, on Saturday the 3rd of April. The source, a researcher, living in Dharamsala, though a native to the County of Machu, said that students had rallied, because of the dismissal by Chinese authorities of their headmaster and his two Tibetan assistant's .
It is reported that Choekyong Tsetan was taken away in secret, by officials from the Public Security Bureau and that his whereabouts is not known and that Do Re was arrested last month. In response to this, students of the school submitted petitions to the local Chinese government and demanded that the positions of the recently dismissed be reinstated. The petitions noted that further protests would be held until the government met with their conditions. With no visible response from the Chinese government to the petitions, students staged last week's second peaceful protest. With March being the anniversary of the massive anti-China unrest across Tibet and the Tibetan National Uprising against
Chinese rule in 1959. Tensions are extremely high. "At the moment the school is completely surrounded by armed police and the students are forced to remain confined to school compound. They are also barred from meeting or making any contact with the outsiders," commentated the source. Adding to this, the local government has placed extra security forces around Machu town and set up checkpoints, restricting the movement of people, with extra force on the monks in the area. The Dharamsala based researcher said he is unsure of whether Chinese authorities had detained any staff or student members of the Middle school. Although with increasing fear and tension in the area, students have promised to carry on with what was written on the petitions, to keep protesting until the school headmaster and his two assistants are reinstatement.
First Stage of “Lhasa Rebuilding� Nears completion, says Xinhua ......continued from frontpage three stages, the first stage having started in October 2009. Over the course of all three stages, the project allegedly aims to rebuild 22 main streets around the Potala Palace and
the Jokhang Temple. The rebuilding will be done in traditional Tibetan style. The first stage is expected to rebuild 7 of the 22 streets, at a cost of 8 million US dollars.
According to the article, so-called "Tibetan costumes" will be displayed around Lhasa's main street as part of the first stage of rebuilding.