Big Photo: Delegations of China-Tibet Page1 Refugee life Page 2 Nitish Meets With His Holiness Page 3 No Celebration for losar Page 4 Ninth Round of Talks Page 5 French President Visit to China Page 6
No Tibetan New year Singer of Tibet.... Page 4 Vol. 01, Issue 11, 15 February 2010
H.H The Dalai Lama
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China Urged To Find A Common Ground On Tibet Issue: Envoys of His Holiness
H.H The Dalai Lama to Receive International Freedom Conductor Award The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center announced today that His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama, will accept the International Freedom Conductor Award (IFCA). The Dalai Lama, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his unstinting advocacy of freedom for his native Tibet, will be honored at a lunch at the Duke Energy ...See page 3
No Tibet New Year
Special Envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Kasur Lodi Gyari (5th from the left) with (from his right) Envoy Kelsang Gyaltsen, Tenzin P. Atisha, Bhuchung K Tsering and Jigmey Passang with Vice Chairman of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Du Qinglin and (from his left) Executive Vice-Minister Zhu Weiqun, Vice-Minister Sithar, Vice-Chairman of Tibet Autonomous Region People’s Congress Nyima Tsering, Secretary General of the United Front Chang Rongjun and Deputy Secretary of the United Front An Qi Yi following session on 30 January 2010 afternoon/ Photo:DIIR/CTA .......See page 5
To Stand In Solidarity, Boycott Losar Celebration: RTYC Dharamshala: The Regional Tibetan Youth Congress of Dharamsala on Tuesday urged fellow Tibetans around the world not to celebrate Losar (Tibetan New Year), as a show of solidarity against Chinese atrocities and a tribute to those Tibetans who died for their homeland.
Our Ultimate Goal Is To Serve The Community: Cholsum Lugar Tsokpa
History of Tibet
Sonam, President of RTYC of Dharamsala, explained that the purpose of the Losar protest .....See page 4
War of Internet
The 13th Dhalai lama of Tibet See detail on page 6
Tibetan Cooking Class
Google-China Boosts Baidu’s Profits
22 January, Mr. Urgen Tenzin, Executive Director of the Dharamsala-based Tibetan Center for Human Rights, and his Assistant Mr. Jampa Monlam. Photo: TPI/Yangsham
Dharamshala: Baidu, the operator of China’s biggest Internet search engine on Tuesday said that advertisers have become more confident in Baidu.com since its rival Google-China threatened to exit the country.
Dharamshala: It has been just three months since the establishment of our Tibet Cholsum Art Performance Institute ( Gangchen Cholsum Lugar Tsokpa), the main goal of the institute is to preserve Tibetan culture and religion through our work, and to aid the integration of Tibetan communities. In particular we seek to help disaffected students and disadvantaged people in the community who are facing hardship.
Robin Li, CEO of Baidu, commented on the company’s recent financial success, “what we have seen in the market is that our customers’ --- our partner’s confidence level in Baidu is certainly higher [than expected] and we think we [will] benefit from that,” PCWorld reported. Last month, Google, the world's most popular seach engine, threatened to shut ......See page 6
Tibetan Cooking Class Of Lhamo’s Kichen, Dharamshala
Dharamshala: Lobsang of Lhamo’s Kitchen is a NEW Tibetan arrival who runs A family business in the hill station of MCLEOD GANJ, Dharamshala, the home of exiled Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Concerning his successful Tibetan Cooking class, Tibet Post International (TPI) The performers in the institute come from all three provinces of Tibet. Under the leadership interviewed.
and guidance of Nobel Peace Laureate His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and through a following of Tibetan Buddism, we believe we are on the track towards peace. This is also why we chose 1)When did you start the cooking class? The class started eleven years ago in 1998, before this the dove, a worldwide-recognised symbol of peace, as the logo of our institute. I request all people in the Tibetan Community's strong support for our institute."
I had a kitchen near the Gu Chu Sum, where I had a class for almost five years. After that I moved to just by the Tibetan Welfare office.
The director of the Chousam Institute Tashi Tsering described the membership of his institute, 2)What kind of Tibetan cooking do you teach? "currently there are 20 performers, comprising members and staff, in the institute. We staged Usually I teach making momos, breads, soups, cupse. two performances in Delhi, three in Bodhgaya, one in Manali and several here in Dharamshala." We do many different types of momo - veg, cheese, continued on page 2
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15 February , 2010 Dharamsala
TPI THE EDITE PAGE
Tibet Claimed To Have 100,000 Internet Users: Despite Strong Censorship?
Despite strong international criticism for the lack of freedom of speech, including Internet access, in Chineseoccupied Tibet, Chinese officials have claimed that the Himalayan region is expected to have 100,000 Internet users in 2010, a 15 percent rise from 2009, according to a report by state controlled media 'Xinhua'. Foreign journalists are finding it increasingly difficult to visit Tibet, and the government suppresses free speech there is even more ruthlessly than in the rest of China. Tibetan writers and journalists are tortured and heavily punished after being arrested covering anti-occupation protests and other political issues related Tibet, and many
independent websites have been shut down in last 2 years, stated Tibet Post editor Mr. YC. Dhardhowa. "The number of such users was 919,000 in 2009, up 15.43 percent from the previous year—much higher than the growth rate of telephone and mobile phone subscribers. Meanwhile, the overall telecommunications rates in 2010 will decrease by nine percent," reported Xinhua. "Tibet had 1.79 million telephone and mobile phone users at the end of 2009, with every 100 people having 19 telephones and 43 mobile phones," the report continued. "No independent news or information can be reported by the print media, broadcast media or new media in Chinese-controlled Tibet. But outside the country, especially in India, where hundreds of thousands of Tibetans have found refuge, independent news media produce and disseminate alternative news," Reporters Without Borders reported last year.
Tibetan Cooking Class...
The Tibet Post
Our Ultimate Goal Is To Serve The Community: Cholsum Lugar Tsokpa ......continued from frontpage How will this program help in the preservation of Tibetan culture? "The goal of our institute is to create a strong connection between all Tibetans in our community. In our community we already have the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts to promote the practice and preser vation of traditional Tibetan dance music and theatre. However we try to stage not only traditional Tibetan performances, but performances from Japanese, Korean, Nepali and Indian cultures.At present, due to a lack of facilities and professional training, we currently lack the capacity to compose lyrics and music of the professional quality that we want. However, we have the plans to achieve this in the near future. Next we will perform in Southern India. We would like to travel all over to perform, but currently financial concerns prohibit this. When these financial problems are overcome, however, we will
travel further afield to perform, and we will also stage shows free of cost to attendees. When we performed in Delhi, there was an audience of around 300 people, and we mostly see a turnout of between 200 and 500, depending on the venue. We have
Tenzin, explained "production costs are extremely high and most perfor mers are Tibetan new arrivals, who do not have a strong support network, and unfortunately, significant financial problems frequently arise. In the future we have plans to seek sponsorship to run restaurants and community
plans to record our performances on CD with high-quality production." One member of the institute, Jigme
stores to provide supplementary income for the institute and its members. Our ultimate goal is to serve the community."
Newly Launched Newspaper Covers Search for 2011 Tibetan Prime Minister ......continued from frontpage sweet and others. 3)How often do the classes run, and how many students do you teach? We have two classes every day: 10:00 AM until 12:00 and 4:00 PM until 6:00. There is no exact number to the class; sometimes we can have ten or eleven students, sometimes just two or three. In peak tourist season, we can have many more. 4)What kinds of people come to learn at your class? Do many Tibetans or Indians attend? Most tend to be from Israel and the US, but we have students come from all over the world. Occasionally we have Tibetans and Indians coming, for example a few months ago, two classes of 8 and 11 from TCV came to learn. Some cooks also come from hotels and restaurants around Dharamsala to learn.
Dharamshala: The Donme (Lamp) Editorial Committee has introduced a monthly newspaper Ka-Lon-TriPa (Chairman of the Kashag), and also held a panel discussion on Sunday at the TCV day school in Mcleod Ganj on the 2011 election of the Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government in Exile. The Editor of Donme Editorial
5)How much does the class cost? These days it costs 300 rupees per person. 6)Are there any problems you come across while teaching? Sometimes it's hard to understand the students, if they are from Israel or Japan and can't speak very good English, but we get around it by gesturing. 7)Other cooking classes have had to register with the Indian Government at the police station. Have you done this? Yes, I've already obtained the necessary permission from the police station. 8)Roughly how many students attend each year? It's difficult to say exactly, but I'd guess roughly 1,500 per year. 9)Have any famous people attended your class? Actually, we had three of the Backstreet Boys attend last year, who are a famous US boyband.
Committee gave an overview of the aims of the recently launched newspaper and the related panel discussion, "this is a voluntary and public activity launched by a group of Tibetan youths from the exile community. Our aim is to highlight the importance of the democratic elections of the Tibetan Prime Minister and Parliamentary Members."
At the panel discussion, speaker Dolma Tsering, a Tibetan parliamentary member, spoke of the importance of the upcoming elections. Godruk Kalsang Puntsok, former president of the Tibetan Youth Congress, outlined which special characteristics prospective candidates should possess. Serta Tsultrim, editor of the Tibet Express, discussed the ways in which
the media can disseminate information of the elections effectively to the public. Lungrig Gyal, editor of the Tibet Times, addressed the audience on the responsibility of the media to cover the prime ministerial election fairly and impartially. The newly launched newspaper covers the latest news, tracks and
expresses public opinion, holds debates and includes interviews with figures of importance in relation to the upcoming elections. It also offers sections on general knowledge and profiles candidates for the prime ministership. You can also view most candidates' profiles for the upcoming election at kalontrpa.org
3 Bihar CM, Nitish Meets With His H.H The Dalai Lama to Receive InternaHoliness The Dalai Lama tional Freedom Conductor Award TPI DALAI LAMA
The Tibet Post
15 February , 2010 Dharamsala
......continued from frontpage Center on October 20th, said Freedom Center CEO & President, Donald W. Murphy. "We are tremendously honored and gratified that His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, will accept our Freedom Conductor Award, which goes to individuals and organizations that have been conspicuous and effective champions of freedom," Murphy said. "The Dalai Lama's tireless efforts on behalf of Tibet - and his life-long advocacy of freedom and peace for all people - are in the finest traditions of those abolitionists who fought for the eradication of slavery in the 18th and 19th Centuries."
Dharamshala: Chief Minister of Bihar State Ponders Future of Buddha Relics with Dalai Lama. Chief Minister Nitish attended a meeting with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet at His Holiness' private residence in Dharamshala. The Chief Minister is expected to formally invite His Holiness to visit Patna to inaugurate the highly anticipated Buddha Memorial Park which is expected to open in April-May this year, The Times of India reported on Monday. The vast park, with meditation hall, is being constructed to commemorate the 2550th year of Mahaparinirvana of Lord Buddha. Construction work is being handled by the Infrastructure Development Finance Company. It is expected to cost Rs 125 crore. The Chief Minister flew from Delhi to Dharamshala after attending the Chief Ministers' conference on
internal security on Sunday. The Kashag, headed by Kalon Tripa Prof Samdhong Rinpoche, hosted a dinner reception in honour of the visiting Chief Minister yesterday, Secretary Migyur Dorjee told TibetNet. Officials said that since His Holiness the Dalai Lama holds the status of head of state, the appointment was sought through the ministry of external affairs. It is expected that a date for the inauguration of the park by His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be finalized after discussion between the two leaders. The Chief Minister is expected to seek the intervention of His Holiness to retain the urn containing the holy relics of Lord Buddha so that they can be displayed in the park. The relics have been preser ved at Patna Museum for about 60 years after their discovery during excavations in Vaishali.
The relics have become a political issue as politicians opposed to Nitish are lobbying for the relics to be stored in Vaishali where they were discovered. Recently, when Nitish was camping in Vaishali during his Pravas Yatra, the matter was raised and the Chief Minister asserted that the relics would be kept in Vaishali provided they were properly preserved there. Sources insisted that the very purpose of building the park was to store the relics. "Buddhists and tourists have reason to visit Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda and Vaishali, but there is nothing to attract them to Patna. It had been planned to keep the relics in the park for display in a bid to attract the tourists," sources said. If His Holiness the Dalai Lama intervenes and gives sanction for keeping the relics in the park, "nobody will dare oppose it," sources added.
Previous IFCA honorees have included civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks, South African Bishop Desmond Tutu and, most recently, in 2007, former Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, for their joint work in raising donations for the survivors of Hurricane Katrina and the South Asian tsunami. The Dalai Lama will receive the IFCA honor, speak and answer audience questions at a luncheon event at the Duke Energy Center. Additional details about arrangements, tickets, etc., will be released later, Murphy said. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is both the head of state and the spiritual leader of Tibet. He was born on 6 July 1935, to a farming family, in a small hamlet located in northeastern Tibet. In 1950 His Holiness was called upon to assume full political power after China's invasion of Tibet in 1949. But following the
brutal suppression of the Tibetan national uprising in Lhasa by Chinese troops in 1959, His Holiness was forced to escape into exile. Since then he has been living in Dharamsala, northern India, the seat of the Tibetan political administration in exile. In 1989 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his nonviolent struggle for the liberation of Tibet. He has consistently advocated policies of nonviolence, even in the face of extreme ag g ression. He also became the first Nobel Laureate to be recognized for his concern for global environmental problems. Since 1959 His Holiness has received more than 84 awards, honorary doctorates, prizes, etc., in recognition of his message of peace, non-violence, inter-religious understanding, universal responsibility and compassion. His Holiness has also authored more than 72 books. About the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Situated in Cincinnati, Ohio, on the banks of the Ohio River, the Freedom Center celebrates the legacy of courage and multicultural cooperation embodied in the story of the Underground Railroad. Of equal importance, the Freedom Center uses a wide array of exhibits to educate the public about the historic and continuing struggle to establish universal freedom in both the U.S. and around the world. For additional information, contact the Freedom Center at 513.333.7500 or visit www.freedomcenter.org.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama Donates for Relief Work in Haiti Dharamshala: His Holiness the Dalai Lama has made a donation of Swiss Francs 100,000 to facilitate relief efforts in Haiti through the International Red Cross Committee in Geneva. Welcoming His Holiness the Dalai Lama's help and commitment to the humanitarian efforts in Haiti, Bekele Geleta, the Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, has “expressed heartfelt gratitude for the generous contribution in support of their operation in Haiti”. A U.S. soldier helps a woman carry a bag of rice during a distribution of food in downtown Port-au-
Prince on 3 February 2010. “Your commitment to help our operation in Haiti is much appreciated and your gesture of solidarity has been communicated to the Haitian Red Cross and to our teams based in the field, where activities are being coordinated and implemented to reach the victims of this terrible disaster,” Geleta said in a faxed letter to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Geleta said: “The world has responded to this emergency with an outpouring of concern and the chain of solidarity in the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement has involved many sister National Societies who are actively supporting
the Haitian Red Cross in its efforts to deliver live-saving assistance to the Haitian people.” “Please accept again our sincere thanks for your personal support to our humanitarian efforts.” His Holiness had extended his deep sympathy and heartfelt condolences to all those families affected by the devastating earthquake that struck the Carribean nation of Haiti. The international community has poured in massive aid initiatives since the magnitude 7.0 earthquake killed up to 200,000 Haitians and made up to 1 million homeless on 12 January, according to UN officials.
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TPI TIBET
No New Year Celebrations for Tibetan Officials: Tibetan Govt. In-Exile
The Tibet Post
To Stand In Solidarity, Boycott Losar Celebration: RTYC ......continued from frontpage is, "To stand in solidarity with the families of four Tibetans, who took part in the peaceful protest broke out in Tibet 2008 and executed by Chinese government in October last year, and to against the continuing suppression and human right violations all over Tibet, we urge all fellow Tibetans around the world not to celebrate nearing Losar." Sonam also remarked that Tibetans should grieve the fact that 2009 marks the 50th year of the Chinese occupation of Tibet. Members of the Kashag Secretariat also requested that Tibetan exile government officials forego the coming Losar celebrations.
Chinese authorities disparage exiled Tibetan leader His Holiness Dalai Lama as a separatist and pressure other foreign leaders not to meet with him. Beijing warned US President Barack Obama recently that a US meeting with His Holiness would erode ties between the two powers. During the 9th round of Sino-Tibet talks last month, Beijing claimed that His Holiness Dalai Lama was not in a position to represent Tibet, and that his demand for a high level of autonomy for the Tibetan people violates China's constitution. Edited by Amy Elmgren, Online assistant for The Tibet Post International U.S.A.
China Sentences A Chinese Pop Star And A Tibetan Singer
Dharamshala: Kashag Secretariat (Cabinet Secretariat of Tibetan Government in exile) yesterday urged Tibetan officials in the Government in Exile not to take part in the coming Losar (Ne w Year) celebrations. A statement issued by the Central Tibetan Administration, the Tibetan government in exile, regarding the Tibetan new year reads as follows: "To all the secretaries
of concerned departments, Taking into consideration the 2008, Tibetan Earth Mouse year protest in Tibet, hundreds of Tibetans were killed and thousands were arrested. Throughout last year, the Year of the Earth Mouse, the suppression and censorship continued. In many parts of Tibet, communities have decided not to celebrate the coming New Year in solidarity with the Tibetan cause.
Central Tibetan Administration urges Tibetan Officials not to take part in celebrations such as parties, dancing and singing, and fireworks, except for religious rituals such as burning incense and making traditional offerings. The Secretariat clarified that this announcement is aimed at Tibetan Officials, and does not apply to the Tibetan people."
Chinese authorities have sentenced rock star Zang Tianshuo, a household name in China, to six years in jail for involvement in a violent fight that resulted in one death and three injuries in 2003. The Beijing Higher People's Court upheld Zang’s sentence on Friday. Zang was voted the most popular mainland singer/songwriter at the 9th Chinese Music Awards in 2003. He composed and performed some of the most popular recent film songs, including one from the Chinese movie “Friends”. The Higher Court rejected an appeal by the singer, who challenged the verdict of the Beijing Municipal No. 2 Intermediate People's Court last November. The Higher Court heard that the fight was connected to a business dispute that Zang, 45, had with his partner Sun Baohe over ownership of a disco bar in the city of Langfang, near Beijing. Two gangs belonging to Zang and Sun clashed at the Langang railway station, leading to the death and three injuries.The verdict came soon after
a court in Sogpo Mongol in the Malho Tibet Autonomous Prefecture sentenced a Tibetan singer, Tashi Dondrup, to one year and seven months in jail for producing a music album with “subversive songs”.The album, “Torture without Trace”, was banned by the Chinese government in November last year. Tibetan activists stated that the album has 13 songs expressing nostalgia for the Dalai Lama and discussing the crackdown in Lhasa in March 2008. Tashi has been in detention since his arrest at a restaurant on December 3 last year. The arrest warrant was issued by authorities in the central Henan province, where Tashi is a member of the Henan Mongolian Autonomous Region Arts Troupe. Tashi caused a stir in 2008 with the release of another album, “The year of 1959”, regarding the events surrounding the Dalai Lama’s departure for India. He was arrested in September that year for producing music with ‘counterrevolutionary content’, reported to the activist organization International Campaign for Tibet.
The Tibet Post
TPICHINA-TIBET TALKS
A Brief Synopsis Of Ninth Round of Talks: Envoys Of His Holiness
Dharamshala: 2 February-A press conference held by Department of Infor mation and Inter national Relations to raise last week ChinaTibet Talks between representatives China and His Holiness the Dalai lama, the question and answer session has affiliated between envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama with members of foreign, Indian and Tibetan media. Following is a brief synopsis from The Tibet Post International. Question1) At the press conference today in China, they are always ready to talk about Dalai Lama's personal well-being, and there is absolutely no rule to talk
about Autonomy or real autonomy in future, and there will be no concession on their side. My question is, will Tibetan government in exile resume talk with current Chinese claim on Dalai Lama's personal wellbeing? Answer: Our counterparts in Beijing announced very well our position. His Holiness says no personal quarrel with Chinese leadership. As we clearly stated in our press statement, we also made absolutely clear to Chinese leadership even this time that the issue we discuss is issue of Tibetan people, their future, their wellbeing, and as I said very clearly
to the Chinese counterparts, very strongly, over and over again that there is no personal matter that concerns His Holiness, his status, his future that we need to discuss. As a matter of fact for the last nine rounds, even before that, ever since 1979 when we have established direct relation with Chinese government, the issue about His Holiness's personal future and status has never been on the agenda. This is a political rhetoric. And it is very clear also on the Chinese reactions to the specific issues that we have raised, that we are discussing about issue of Tibet. It is for that reason we in fact have pointed out that while there is definitely vast gap upon
China Urged To Find A Common Ground On Tibet Issue: Envoys of His Holiness ......continued from frontpage Dharamshala: Envoys of Tibetan spiritual leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said Tuesday they had urged China in talks last week to find a mutually acceptable solution to the Tibetan problem based on the Memorandum. During the ninth round of talks, Tibet's side has submitted an 'explanatory' note of Memorandum to the Chinese leadership to clarify its stand on autonomy for Tibet. The special envoy of His Holiness, Gyari Lodi Gyaltsen and envoy Kelsang Gyaltsen told a press conference in Dharamshala where Tibetan government in exile based that they were committed to continuing dialogue with China, but Beijing should stop "baseless accusations" against His Holiness, such as referring to him as a "separatist." "We called upon the Chinese side
to stop the baseless accusations against His Holiness and labeling him a separatist. Instead, we urge the Chinese leadership to work with him to find a mutually acceptable solution to the Tibetan problem based on the Memorandum. This will ensure stability, unity and the development of a harmonious society," Gyari Rinpoche said, reading from a statement. "His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaks on behalf of the Tibetan people, with whom he has a deep and historical relationship and one based on full trust. It cannot be disputed that His Holiness legitimately represents the Tibetan people, and he is certainly viewed as their true representative and spokesperson by them. It is indeed only by means of dialogue with His Holiness the Dalai Lama that the Tibetan issue can be resolved.
The recognition of this reality is important," the statement added. "A major difference between the two sides is the conflicting perspectives on the current situation inside Tibet. So, in order to have a common understanding of the real situation, we suggested a common effort to study the actual reality on the ground, in the spirit of seeking truth from facts. This will help both the sides to move beyond each others' contentions." the statement continued. "Since His Holiness the Dalai Lama has consistently made his position clear on the future of Tibet within the framework of the People's Republic of China, given political will on the Chinese leadership's side we do not see any reason why we cannot find a common ground on these issues," the statement said.
15 February , 2010 Dharamsala
approach. In fact we have expressed that some of the actions that the Chinese government has taken, including the statements that was issued after the leading groups meeting on the Tibet. That is to some extent reflects some of the concerns that His Holiness the Dalai Lama has expressed. It is very clear that there is no issue that concerns personal well-being of future of His Holiness the Dalai Lama that we are discussing with Chinese g over nment. Your question was "Are we willing to or are we ready to continue to deal with Chinese government?" . Absolutely. They have also conveyed to us repeatedly, during this time also, the importance that they attach to the dialogue process. And we also have conveyed to our Chinese counterparts that His Holiness the Dalai Lama, in fact I have told them very clearly that even though this relation that we have with Chinese government, was the initiated by Deng Xiao Ping in 1979. But ever since it is the efforts of His Holiness that has hastened this relation. Every time it is His Holiness and Tibetan leadership we have made efforts again and again to make sure that this relation is maintained. So we will be willing to continue, and in fact we feel that the only way that the issue of Tibet could be resolved is through direct dialogue between the Chinese government and Tibetan leadership. So this is very clear that we are committed to continue the discussions. However, my colleague Kalsang Gyaltsen and I made it very clear that in orders for us to continue to have such talks, there has to be some progress. The issues are very delegate, very complex, and we have no illusion that the differences could be resolved over night, in another round of talks. It take times and we also must have patience. I think we have demonstrate clearly that do have patience. However, we made very clear that in order for us to continue this dialogue, there has to be some progress. For example, there is very clear from our statements, the Chinese government must sees the baseless accusations against His Holiness, calling him splits. His Holiness has over and over, almost daily bases, has been saying explicitly that looking for solutions to resolve
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the Tibet problem within framework of PRC, within the constitution of PRC. This made very very clear on those conditions, with those understanding that we continue to remain commitment to continue the process of dialogue. Question 2 ) Before you resume talks, do you want to see some genuine signs of progress that Chinese have to stop calling His Holiness splits? Answer: I don't understand what do you mean by resume, as far as we are concerned, we are in an engagement, we are in the process of dialogue particularly since 2002. And we are committed to continue this person to person dialogue. Yes, but we have made very clear that in order for us to continue for some fruitful results, the Chinese government has to take some steps such as, as I said again, these baseless accusations against His Holiness, and we told Chinese counterparts very clearly that this brings tremendous discrete to Chinese government. I mean whole world knows that His Holiness is not splits. In fact I think the free world knows His Holiness better than Chinese leadership, unfortunately. And the Chinese people even less because of lack of freedom. So those things are very important, but again I am not saying that as a condition. Because we don't believe in imposing conditions, not doing or lack to be imposed conditions but yes we made very clear that there has to be some tangible stage that will be taken. Meantime we also told Chinese counterparts that we ourselves will thoroughly everything Chinese counterparts said to us, shared with us, conveyed to us, we will take very seriously. We already have reported to His Holiness this morning and to the Kalon Tipa (Tibetan Prime minister). And we will definitely in the next several weeks fur ther study, fur ther analyze what they have conveyed to us, and specially also the important documents that were published after the rather important meeting that was held in Being some weeks back. Question 3) Generally speaking, this ninth round of talk made .....See page 8
The Tibet P st I n t e r n a t i o n a l
Advicer Advicer Editor Sub Editor Reporter Reporter Circular Publisher The Tibet Post International Press of Tibet (Head Office) 1st Floor, Dolkhang House, Jogiwara Road, Mcleod Ganj, Dharamsala, Distt. Kangra H.P 176219 India
Mr. Thomas Keimel Dr. Vincent Brucel Mr. YC. Dhardhowa Mrs. Yangyal Sham Mr. Sangay Dorjee Ms. Keary Huang Ven Phuntsok Dhondup Mr. Tenzin Kunga Tele: 0091-1892-224641 Moble: +91-9882423566 E-mail: editor@thetibetpost.com www.thetibetpost.com
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15 February , 2010 Dharamsala
French President Sarkozy Visit 'Delights' China
TPI WORLD
UN Climate Panel: Himalayan Glaciers Warning Not Backed Up By Evidence Geneva - A U.N. warning that Himalayan glaciers were melting faster than any other place in the world and may be gone by 2035 was not backed up by science, U.N. climate experts said on 20 January — an admission that could energize climate change critics. In a 2007 report, the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said the Himalayan glaciers are very likely to disappear within three decades if the present melting rate continues. But a statement from the panel now says there is not
China on 4 February announced it was 'delighted' that French President Nicolas Sarkozy would visit the country in spring, turning a new page after two years of tense relations provoked by a pre-2008 Olympics confrontation over Tibet. China's Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on a visit to France declared, "we are delighted" in response to news that the French leader would visit in April or May to attend the Universal Exhibition in Shanghai. "It is a new page in Sino-French relations," the foreign minister said. Mr Yang said Mr Sarkozy had told him that "France is ready to work with China to further promote the global strategic partnership [between the two countries]." The French leader stressed the importance of Sino-French cooperation especially to "jointly fight the international financial crisis and climate change", the Chinese
The two countries' relationship reached a low point in December 2008 when President Sarkozy met Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, whom Beijing accuses of seeking independence for the Himalayan region - a claim which the monk denies. Mr. Yang said on Thursday that China's President Hu Jintao would also visit France in 2010.
..........continued from frontpage
The world community looked
The leaders of the U.N. panel are investigating how the forecast got into the report, Chris Field, director of the ecology department at the Washington-based Carneige Institution for Science, told The Associated Press. The U.N. panel did not give a new estimate of when Himalayan glaciers
assessment of the Himalayan glaciers. "The health of the glaciers is a cause of grave concern, but the IPCC's alarmist position that they would melt by 2035 was not based on an iota of scientific evidence," Ramesh was quoted as saying by The Times of India. The IPCC's Fourth Assessment Report of 2007 said the Himalayan glaciers were receding faster than any other place in the world. "The likelihood of them disappearing by
In December 2009 French Prime Minister Francois Fillon announced a thaw in relations during his visit to China, insisting that "misunderstandings" between Paris and Beijing were a thing of the past. Relations between the two nations deteriorated in 2008 when proTibet protesters disrupted the Paris leg of China's around-the-world Olympic torch relay.
Google-China Boosts Baidu’s Profits
Baidu reported significant gains in revenue and net income for the final quarter of last year compared to 2008. The company's revenue of 1.26 billion Yuan (US$184 million) saw a rise of nearly 40 percent, while its net income was reported as 428 million Yuan, up nearly 50 percent from 2008 levels.
in the group's voluminous, Nobelwinning report, was little noticed until The Sunday Times said the projection seemed to be based on a news report.
foreign minister said.
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down its China-based operations alleging cyber attacks and unfounded censorship; a move which analysts are now saying could boost usage of other search engines in China.
The Tibet Post
enough scientific evidence to back up those claim. The warning in the report "refers to poorly substantiated estimates of rate of recession and date for the disappearance of Himalayan glaciers," the IPCC said. "In drafting the paragraph in question, the clear and well-established standards of evidence, required by the IPCC procedures, were not applied properly.". The Himalayan glacier claim, made
forward to an easing of restrictions on freedom of speech and internet censorship after the 2008 Olympics, as was promised by the government, however Internet controls have continued to be tightened with blocks being placed on popular social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and most recently IMDb, a movie database website. With Baidu's gaining popularity, currently estimated at holding over 60 percent of the internet search market in China, the Chinese government can command a more effective control on the Internet search and online media strategy.
might melt away, but said "widespread mass losses from glaciers and reductions in snow cover over recent decades are projected to accelerate throughout the 21st century." This will reduce the availability of water and change the seasonal water flows in major mountain rangers, including the Himalayas, it said. India's Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday repeated his previous criticism of the panel's initial
the year 2035 and perhaps sooner is very high if the Earth keeps warming at the current rate," it said. But, in a confusing note, the report added the glacier's total area "will likely shrink from the present 500,000 to 100,000 square kilometers (193,000 to 36,000 sq. miles) by the year 2035." The U.N. climate change panel said "the chair, vice-chairs, and co-chairs of the IPCC regret the poor application of well-established IPCC procedures in this instance."
China Rejected Dissident Liu’s Appeal Beijing: A Chinese court in Bejing on Thursday rejected prominent dissident Liu Xiaobo's appeal against his 11 year prison sentence on the charge of "incitement to subvert state power". 54-year-old Mr.Liu, the co-author of an unusually direct appeal for political liberalization in China, had been detained for a year without trial and condemned to 11 year in prison by the Beijing Intermediate People's Court in last December. .....See page7
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TPI EXILE
We Are Trying To Get More Tibetans To Volunteer In Their community: T.A.C.T.I.C.
Dharamshala: T.A.C.T.I.C. is a newly established fundraising and volunteer coordinating organization based in Dharamshala, India, and it targets aiding the grassroots activism that is already present on the ground in the exiled Tibetan community. The Tibet Post International (TPI) inter viewed the T.A.C.T.I.C's founder and director Mr.Travis Thompson to cover its current projects and future goals. 1) Mr. Travis, can you do a brief introduction of your organization? The organization is called T.A.C.T.I.C, which is targeting advocacy to conserve traditional indigenous cultures. The idea is we work as a volunteer coordinating organization and fundraising
management. We work with local grassroots organizations that are formed out of the community, by the community. We try to help out with as much volunteer effort as we possibly can in our communities, in hopes to be able to insource our job, making sure it is not just volunteers of other countries, not just westerners, that are helping but we are trying to get more Tibetans to volunteer in their own community, to strengthen their own community. 2) Can you tell us how T.A.C.T.I.C's recent projects, like its computer project, English class and football league, are going on? This is the alternative activities project, the football league. The idea for this football league is to accumulate as
many as alternative youths alternative meaning the ones don't have jobs, don't have RCs, drinking and smoking constantly - that kind of feel hopeless that they are not doing anything with their life. So we are offering them the chance to play soccer as a team, and at the same time teaching them English improving their academic skills. The hope is that all of these players will be able to be a team both on the field and off the field, whether through education or through physical activity. The idea is, later on, we want these kids going through FCE exams, Pet exams, letting them have an idea what they want to do for the future and giving them that avenue. These are what you call misfits. These are the kids who are kind of looked down by society as troublemakers. I am trying to give them discipline, the education and the camaraderie so they can join. The idea is they are going to be used as volunteers to help out the community as well. They're going to be used with the English program to highten their English skills and give them something to do on their side, give them meaning to they want, and as we progress, we will learn how to make rĂŠsumĂŠs and apply for jobs, and actually get a more self-sustainable life. So they are not depending on handouts, alcohol, drugs those types of things. 3) In terms of cultural relativism and cultural preservation, which is said to be your organization's main goal, how are these projects are
Tibetan Govt. to Mark Centenary of The Thirteenth Dalai Lama's Exile to India ..........continued from frontpage Dharamshala: The Central Tibetan Administration will organise a function on 25 February 2010 to commemorate the centenary of The Thirteenth Dalai Lama's exile to India, the Kashag Secretariat said in an announcement Monday.
Kalon Tripa Prof Samdhong Rinpoche and the speaker of the Tibetan Parliament, Mr Penpa Tsering, will address the ceremony at Tsuglagkhang, the main Buddhist temple in Dharamsala. Later in the afternoon, Kalon Tripa will speak on the accomplishments of The Thirteenth Dalai Lama to an exclusive audience of officials of the Central Tibetan Administration. The Thirteenth Dalai Lama of Tibet, Thupten Gyatso, took refuge in India from 1910 - 1911 following the Chinese invasion of Tibet led by General Chao Er-feng. The Thirteenth Dalai Lama was born in the year of the Fire Bird in 1876 at Thakpo Langdun in south Tibet to Kunga Rinchen and Lobsang Dolma, a peasant couple. In 1878, he was recognized as the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama following predictions from the state
oracles and auspicious signs at his birth. He was escorted to Lhasa where he was ordained into monkhood by the Panchen Lama, Tenpai Wangchuk, and was given the name Ngawang Lobsang Thupten Gyatso Jigdral Chokley Namgyal. In 1879, the Thirteenth Dalai Lama was enthroned at the Potala Palace. On 8 August 1895, he assumed political power and was thrown into the thick of the Great Game played out by Czarist Russia and British India on the fringes of their sprawling empires. He went through the British invasion of Tibet in 1904 and the Chinese invasion of his country in 1909 and survived both experiences, with his authority enormously enhanced. When the news spread in 1909 that Chao Er-feng, a Chinese General, was at the gate of Lhasa, the Dalai Lama and some of the most important officials fled Lhasa and headed to India. The group crossed Dromo and negotiated the Jelep-la pass, which separates Tibet from Sikkim. In 1911, the Manchu Dynasty was overthrown and the Tibetans took this opportunity to expel the remnant Manchu forces from Tibet. The Dalai Lama returned to Tibet and went on
to exercise a political authority not seen since the reign of the Fifth Dalai Lama. Besides attempting to modernise Tibet, the Dalai Lama also tried to eliminate some of the more oppressive features of the Tibetan monastic system. While in exile in India, the Dalai Lama was fascinated with the modern world and he introduced the first currencies and coins of Tibet. In 1913, he established the first post office in Tibet and he also sent four young Tibetans to England to study engineering. On 8 January 1913 he made the public statement of the five points of Tibetan Independence and he composed the present day Tibetan National Anthem. In 1914, he strengthened the Tibetan military force by organising special training for the Tibetan army. In 1916, he selected several young and intelligent monks from various monasteries to preserve the unique Tibetan medical tradition and he established the Tibetan Medical Institute which is well know today as Men-Tse Khang. In 1923, he established a police headquarters in Lhasa for the security and welfare of the Tibetan people and in the same year, he also established the first English school in Gyaltse. He died in 1933 at the age of fifty-eight.
15 February , 2010 Dharamsala linked to that? The idea is that a lot of refugees that come over, especially like lot of these youths, they come from a nomadic way of life, they come from a culture that doesn't really embrace the same things that the Indian culture does, so the idea is to get them volunteering in Tibetan language courses, get them improving their own language skills, and have more a cultural exchange with our volunteers, more integration of knowledge, but the idea is to allow them to be creative. Most of these kids, no matter if it is people born in India or people that came and are looked as misfits, they all have the same hope for autonomy in Tibet, but this generation seems to be becoming more hopeless, because it has been almost 51 years now since Tibet has been taken over and we want to tell them that home is not just a physical place, but also a spiritual place. That is why with volunteering in the community and insourcing the labor, you are more able to keep the culture in the community. Like as I said, everyone has the same hopes and aspirations. But once [you] despair, once you feel helpless or hopeless, that is when you start to flee from what you have known from your entire life. And I think, lots of these guys that come out here to play soccer or also played soccer when they were in Tibet. It gives them a link between their old way of life when they were back home and their new way of life. It gives them hope for the future and, I think that with the confidence they build, the more they [will be] willing to help out in their communities and help to cultural preservation. The thing is that everyone hopes that Tibetan culture will [be] preserved, but sadly Tibetan culture has to be modernized that is inevitable. You can't stay in the 16th century in the 21st century. So you have to modernize, but you also have to be able to do it so that you are culturally modernizing. You don't have to wear Chupas, you can be a person
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of lower class or high class, a refugee, someone who is born here, they all have to link together and look each other as the same. Not Sanjour(Tibetan new arrivals) versus someone who is born here. You have to look each other that all Tibetans united together. The point is that a lot of these guys are fending for themselves on a normal basis. But linking them together and giving them that team effort, the English activities would hopefully my aim. I can't obviously say what the future is going to hold. But the aim is to get them more involved in community and get them more into helping out the youth, and helping out with cultural projects that TWA, T.A.C.T.I.C, TYC, SFT puts on, getting them more aware, also teaching. The big thing is they are also going to be teaching our volunteers. There are so many tourists in Mcleod Ganj that still don't know what is going on in Tibet. The idea is to get this group of guys to be able to relate one-on-one, to share their stories with the volunteers, to put on these events to show what they been through and what they are still going through. Just because they are in exile doesn't mean they are free and happy. They also have to suffer through a lot, I mean have to learn a democracy, the Indian way of life as well, and they have to share same ground. 4) Tibetan political and spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama always emphasizes that Tibetan culture is unique and that it has a very important potential to serve world peace. In terms of this, what do you think is unique about Tibetan culture? It was said by Confucius that "once there is harmony in the mind, there is harmony in the family. Once there is harmony in the family, there is harmony in the community. Once there is harmony in the community, there is peace in the country. Once there is peace in the country, there is peace in the world".
China Rejected Dissident Liu’s Appeal ..........continued from page 6 He was convicted on the charges of calling for sweeping political reforms and an end to Communist Party dominance, also drew diplomatic criticism. The United States and the European Union have called for the Liu's immediate release, and Amnesty International expressed outrages at the sentence saying "harshest in 35 subversion cases since 2003". Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama had urged the Chinese government to release writer Liu Xiaobo and other political prisoners. In a statement released in last December, His Holiness said that he is "saddened by the Chinese government sentencing Liu Xiaobo, a well-known Chinese writer, to an 11-year jail term." He continued, "By forcefully
sentencing Liu Xiaobo, and others like him, who use freedom of expression to publicly articulate their opinions, the Chinese authorities have not only violated the binding principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, but also the freedom of expression mentioned in the constitution of the People's Republic of China." "I urge the Chinese government to release as soon as possible Liu Xiaobo, and other political prisoners who were jailed because of exercising freedom of expression," the exiled Tibetan leader concluded. Liu's wife, Liu Xia, had expressed earlier that she had little hope of a reprieve, saying "I'm preparing for the worst, If you're not that hopeful, then you can't be disappointed."
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TPICHINA-TIBET TALKS A Brief Synopsis Of Ninth Round of Talks: Envoys Of His Holiness The Tibet Post
..........continued from page 5 some progress or not? At the same time, you mentioned........ Answer: Unfortunately the mediate reaction of our Chinese counterparts on one hand disappointing, on the other hand I am not surprised. Again I don't say as disrespect. I think the system and its function are different from us that less transparency, and we also know that we have no illusions that our counterparts are very competent and very experienced people, but obviously that kind of system decisions are taken very elaborate and very complicated process. So in spite of their initial rather disappointing reaction. As we stated clearly in our statements we told our counterparts just as we will very thoroughly very seriously reflect on what they have conveyed to us on the important documents they have issued, that they also must seriously reflect and report the hierarchy of the suggestions, of ver y constr uctive sug gestions. What is the real issue, as said earlier the issue is not about the position of His Holiness. In fact His Holiness has made it obviously clear more than once that he has moral historical responsibility to help the Tibetan people, find the solution to their future with Chinese leadership. Once that is accomplished, in fact he made very clear that he won't hold any political office. So our disagreement, our problem is the real situation on the ground and all the Tibetan areas. So therefore we have very sincerely suggested, look what differences we have is , for example, we feel the situation in Tibet is absolutely deteriorating, Tibetan people ar e unhappy, Tibetan people are suffering. Chinese on the other hand, even this time our Chinese counterparts, all of them, gave us pictures of Tibet that Tibetan people are very happy, that there is no issue of Tibet. In fact, some times they go to extent of saying there is no issue of Tibet. Next you had them holding this press conference, among this press conference talking about issue of Tibet. But anyway what I have offered was that let us together, making efforts to see the real situation. We made very clear, we said "if tomorrow we find that the majority of Tibetan people inside Tibet said that we are happy, His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be the happiest person. He would then definitely tell China that now I am convinced, because together we have been able to certain the true feelings of the Tibetans. And if they are happy, I have no quarrel, so this is one of the things we have sug g ested not in a confrontational manner, but in a very positive way. But sometimes they have some kind of illusions, because some of the counterparts,
15 February , 2010 Dharamsala
who are actually ethnic Tibetan, shared with us their views. One senior person said that he had been to many parts of Tibet in recent months. One of them Nyima Tsering, from Lhasa and has been vice governor for many years and at the moment he is the vice chair of the national people's congress in Lhasa. But I told him very clearly that I have personal respect, because you are both fellow Tibetans. But I said don't think I am being arrogant, but I have been living in exile for the last 50 years, but I can say with confidence that I understand the true feeling of the Tibetans much more and Tibetan leader two of you. I mean these are some of the
memorandum challenges the supremacy of Chinese hierarchy, it challenges the Chinese constitutions, it challenges the law making authorities of National People's Congress, etc. so this is not what we handed to our Chinese counterparts. We have, not just in a superficial manner, but in a very elaborate very detailed manner we showed them exactly what our position is. At the same time we also have pointed out what is the core issue again. The core issue is about the future of the Tibetan people that we also have very explicitly mentioned. Again with cool headedness and with true realities on the ground, as you know you are confronted
leadership, their statement quite arrogant, which I think very disappointing. Because China is a very important growing power. China has tremendous potential, much more important global role. But sometimes, this is my personal preservation, I was disappointed, I was little worried actually, of the sense of arrogance. Because my hope was china is a ancient nation, like India, with ancient civilization. And I thought China with that ancient civilization would be able to handle this kind of newly end economic and political cloud that she has, and much more mutual manner. So I think some of rectories, including outburst reaction against future meeting
positive role to play, which His Holiness the Dalai Lama always very keen China play. His Holiness is one of the few leaders who in fact was encouraging the world leadership, except china, to the forward. I remember very clearly even in early 70s, when many of the western nations not even touch with China, like the expression "at foot pool". His Holiness used to tell them can't ignore one fourth of the world population. You need to bring china into the font. So she now is in the front and we do hope she will behave much more dignified manner. I am sure this is just kind of person's face, the growth of this nation. Question 6 ) After last meeting and talk, you said that Chinese counterparts rejected the memorandum and there was deadlock. Now you say that being able to continue unless you see productive signs, my question is was there productive signs from the Chinese side since the last talk? Second question is, you mentioned you met His Holiness the Dalai Lama this morning, what is his reaction to it?
facts they must accept. So we have meant that very sincere offer to work together and I do suddenly hope that with cool head that Chinese are rational people reflect on it even though initially their reaction was rather disappointing. Question 4) What was Chinese government's reaction to the explanatory note for 'Memorandum'...........? Answer: The initial reaction from Chinese government was disappointing. Because they felt that all the memorandum is nothing but further elaboration, further reinforcement of what we have stated. And our earlier memo which unfortunately they had outlined rejected. This is how initially they saw it. But as we have tried to highlight some of the issues that we have tried to tackle is not explicitly, without any doubt clarifies some of the concerns, whether genuine or politically motivated, but nevertheless some of the concerns are Chinese g over nment have raised. For example; they said that our
to the situation on the ground, that I think uncontrollably unmanageable. We made very clear that the only we can find a situation that is beneficial not only to the Tibetans to Chinese friends, to all the nationalities living within the republic of China. Chinese government needs to work with His Holiness, with the cooperation of His Holiness, with the blessing of His Holiness. So again as a part of initial reactions, even taken opportunity of this conference, I would like to urge Chinese leadership to give a serious contribution to the very sincere and very clear note we shared with them. Question 5 ) You urged Chinese officials not engaging baseless accusation against Dalai Lama, after you come to India, china again objected Dalai Lama's meeting with US president Obama, what is your reaction on that? Answer: Well, with all respect to Chinese government, I found our Chinese counterparts, Chinese
with His Holiness and President Obama reflects that which is unfortunate. We made very clear to the Chinese government their issue with us. And we told them very clearly that His Holiness doesn't do this, because he has too much time or he has nothing to do. His Holiness has moral responsibility to the Tibetan people. Till such time Chinese leadership comes to its senses and deals with this situation. His Holiness has moral responsibility to continue to knock the doors wherever he can, to raise the concerns behalf of his people. Yes, I believe, this morning our counterparts raised that issue and they also raised with us. I personally, not because of the that particular meeting, my concern was on the whole of this kind of arrogant attitude which, I think, becoming an . I do hope China would new look again the status, will handle herself, will behave herself in a much more dignified and responsible manner. Not dealing with Tibetan part, but on other issues. If she does that, I think she has tremendous important and
Answer: First of all, I didn't say to discontinue our dialogue process unless this this happens. What we have told them very clearly is for the this person to person dialogue, when you refer to that, we refer very specifically regarding the in 2002, which Kalsang Gyaltsen and I have been holding on behalf of His Holiness. Now in order for this process to be able to continue that there has to be some tangible moves such as, as said clearly earlier, they must stop baseless accusations. We told them very candidly this makes china look ver y silly. Some of the accusations, I believe, this morning also went on and on for half hour or something, many of the leaders speaking. I believe some of the criticisms they have leveled against His Holiness, I think to be very frankly kidish, . for example, they made big fuss about His Holiness "I am son of India". I think this is very kidish and shows lack of understanding of cultural values we hold. They have also raised this, His Holiness "I think my mind is. Why he says that is the very proud of the Nalanda tradition of Buddhism. First of all, you see we Tibetans are very proud of our Buddhist cultural heritage. And especially His Holiness feels that we are caster den of this great tradition that regards universal Nalanda. Yes, His Holiness always say it. Our mind or thought process, philosophy is very much. On the other hand, of course, you see we have lived in this country for 50 years, it is a fact. Edited by Max French, The Tibet Post International
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