House Resolution: Sec. 2302 under H.R. 1561, passed in the House of Representatives back in May under "American Overseas Interests Act of 1995".

SEC. 2302. SPECIAL ENVOY FOR TIBET .

(a) FINDINGS- The Congress makes the following findings:

(1) The Government of the People's Republic of China withholds meaningful participation in the governance of Tibet from Tibetans and has failed to abide by its own constitutional guarantee of autonomy for Tibetans.

(2) The Government of the People's Republic of China is responsible for the destruction of much of Tibet 's cultural and religious heritage since 1959 and continues to threaten the survival of Tibetan culture and religion.

(3) The Government of the People's Republic of China, through direct and indirect incentives, has established discriminatory development programs which have resulted in an overwhelming flow of Chinese immigrants into Tibet, including those areas incorporated into the Chinese provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan, Gansu, and Quinghai in recent years, and have excluded Tibetans from participation in important policy decisions, further threatening traditional Tibetan life.

(4) The Government of the People's Republic of China denies Tibetans their fundamental human rights, as reported in the Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1995.

(5) The President and the Congress have determined that the promotion of human rights in Tibet and the protection of Tibet 's religion and culture are important elements in United States-China relations and have urged senior members of the Government of the People's Republic of China to enter into substantive negotiations on these matters with the Dalai Lama or his representative.

(6) The Dalai Lama has repeatedly stated his willingness to begin substantive negotiations without preconditions.

(7) The Government of the People's Republic of China has failed to respond in a good faith manner by reciprocating a willingness to begin negotiations without preconditions, and no substantive negotiations have begun.

(b) UNITED STATES SPECIAL ENVOY FOR TIBET -

Section 1(e) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act (U.S.C. 2651a(e)) is amended by adding after paragraph (2) the following new paragraph:

`(3) UNITED STATES SPECIAL ENVOY FOR TIBET -

`(A) There shall be within the Department of State a United States Special Envoy for Tibet , who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The United States Special Envoy for Tibet shall hold office at the pleasure of the President.

`(B) The United States Special Envoy for Tibet shall have the personal rank of ambassador.

`(C) The United States Special Envoy for Tibet is authorized and encouraged--

`(i) to promote substantive negotiations between the Dalai Lama or his representatives and senior members of the Government of the People's Republic of China;

`(ii) to promote good relations between the Dalai Lama and his representatives and the United States Government, including meeting with members or representatives of the Tibetan government-in-exile; and

`(iii) to travel regularly throughout Tibet and Tibetan refugee settlements.

`(D) The United States Special Envoy for Tibet shall--

`(i) consult with the Congress on policies relevant to Tibet and the future and welfare of all Tibetan people;

`(ii) coordinate United States Government policies, programs, and projects concerning Tibet ; and

`(iii) report to the Secretary of State regarding the matters described in section 536(a)(2) of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 (Public Law 103-236).'.