LETTER SENT TO BILL CLINTON

10 March 1995

President Bill Clinton

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Washington DC 20500

Dear President Clinton:

We are writing to express our concern regarding the Chinese Government's illegal occupation of Tibet. Since China began its occupation, the brutal repression of the Tibetan people has been relentless and unceasing.

Today marks the 36th anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising when in 1959 thousands of courageous Tibetan men and women rose up against the Chinese occupation of their country. On the anniversary of this historic occasion, we, the members of the US-Tibet Committee, the Transnational Radical Party and the International Campaign for Tibet, once again call upon you to the following facts:

In 1993 alone, there was a sharp increase in political prisoners in Tibet. In Lhasa, the capital, there are now 400 prisoners of conscience a more than 30% increase from 1992. Many of the prisoners are young monks and nuns. In June of 1993, 12 nuns, including a 15 year old girl were sentenced for up to 7 years for demonstrating. These sentences have recently doubled, and in some cases tripled because the nuns were caught singing songs of independence while in prison.

Due to the overwhelming presence of Chinese civilians and soldiers in Tibet, the Tibetans are becoming a minority in their own country. Along with the influx of Chinese settlers in Tibet there has been a dramatic increase in the demolition of Tibetan homes and buildings, further reducing the distinctly Tibetan parts of Lhasa.

The Dalai Lama has consistently called for a peaceful and negotiated settlement to this intolerable situation. The Chinese government has stalled at every turn to avoid negotiations.

The United States has a moral obligation to promote democratic reforms in China, Tibet and throughout the world.

We support legislation ending China's Most Favored Nation Trading status. The United States is currently condoning the Chinese human rights abuses and the Chinese occupation of Tibet, by promoting trade with China.

Sincerely,

Sonam Wangdu, Chairman of the US-Tibet Committee

Peter di Costanzo, President of the US-Tibet Committee

Marino Busdachin, Transnational Radical Party Secretary

Kelsang Aukatsang, International Campaign for Tibet