IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE

September 18,1995 Contact: Karma Chophel

Namkha Tenzin

Tel: 212-213-9240

Fax: 212-475-2629

NEW YORK -- Tibetans in America will start an indefinite chain hunger-strike at the opening session of the United Nations 50th General Assembly to draw the attention of the world body to the ongoing tragedy of Tibet under Chinese occupation.

The hunger strike will go on till the five-point demands of the movement are met. This movement is being organized by the National Democratic Party of Tibet.

DEMANDS

1. The U.N. should recognize that Tibet is an occupied country, illegally colonized by China through aggression in 1949 in contravention of international law.

2. The U.N. should mediate between Tibet's true representatives - His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government-in Exile as recognized by the Tibetan people, and the government of the People's Republic of China for negotiations regarding the future status of Tibet. And/or

Initiate the conduct of an internationally supervised plebiscite of all the Tibetan people both in and outside Tibet to determine their future.

3. The U.N. should accord forthwith Observer Status to His Holiness the Dalai Lama in the General Assembly as the sole representative of the Tibetan people.

4. The U.N. should invite His Holiness the Dalai Lama to address the on-going session of the General Assembly as Nobel laureate and a leader of international standing in the fields of World Peace, Disarmament, Religious Amity and the protection of Environment and Ecology.

5. The U.N. should recall and implement the three resolutions already passed by its General Assembly on Tibet namely -

Resolution 1353 (XIV), 1959

Resolution 1723 (XVI), 1961

Resolution 2079 (XX), 1965

For the last 36 years, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the spiritual and temporal head of the Tibetans and the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, has adhered to the United Nations established principles in bringing out a comprehensive solution to the justified cause of the six million Tibetans.

Time is running out. Tibet is slowly dying with the onslaught of the systematic Chinese policy of ethnic cleansing so as to wipe out the Tibetan identity from this earth.

In its 50 years of existence, the United Nations Organization, the embodiment and keeper of the ideals of human rights, justice, equality, decolonization and self-determination, has for one or the other reason, let down the people of Tibet.

On the 50th anniversary, the time has come to act as the saviour of the Tibetan people and to hear their voice.

Therefore, we are determined that until our demands are met, we shall undertake this hunger strike indefinitely.

Namkha Tenzin, MP Karma Chophel, MP

General Secretary President