From: World Tibet Network News, Tuesday, October 24, 1995

NEW YORK, October 24, 1995 -- Today is the eleventh day of the Hunger Strike Until Death in front of the United Nations. Ms. Yiga has just been taken away by city health officials against her will. She has been brought to the emergency room at Bellevue Hospital. Tashi Wangmo, a 38 year old woman from Boston, has volunteered to step in and take her place, effective immediately. She states that she is "willing to do anything for the Tibetan cause".

An American woman had called the medical emergency department, and two doctors were sent in response. Ms. Yiga refused to be examined by the doctors. Blake Kerr, MD was already at the site to check the volunteers, and was able to demonstrate to the city doctors that the hunger strikers were being looked after. However, the decision had already been made by the city to take her into custody.

William David Wallace visited the site today on behalf of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. He spoke briefly with one of the hunger strikers, expressing his concern. The President and the Secretary of the affiliated U.N.-recognized N.G.O.'s also visited the hunger strikers, pledging to use their influence at the United Nations.

There has been a flood of media coverage in the past few days, including a heart-felt editorial in the New York Times by A.M. Rosenthal. About 200 Tibetans and friends gathered at the site today to offer their prayers and support.

A second large contingent of Tibetans held a demonstration outside President Clinton's meeting this afternoon with Chinese President Jiang Zemin. President Clinton saw the crowd of Tibetans both on the way to and from the meeting, and pointed and waved to the demonstrators.