From: Students for a Free Tibet

Source: World Tibet Network News

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: Thu, 26 Oct 1995

New York, October 26: The six Tibetans who are on a hunger strike before the United Nations since October 14, 1995 broke their fast this evening at the direct intervention of H.H.the Dalai Lama.

In a personal message, the Dalai Lama lauded the courage and the sense of devotion of the six Tibetans. " I feel that the serious ness and the sincerity with which you have been undertaking your fast has in itself conveyed your message to the international community. I am, therefore, asking you to end your hunger strike," the Dalai Lama said.

The Dalai Lama's message was preceded by appeals from several personalities, including Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel, Chairman of the House International Relations Committee Benjamin Gilman, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jesse Helms and Ranking member Claiborne Pell, Senator Daniel Moynihan and other congressmen. They all requested the hunger strikers to end their fast. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Madeleine Albright released a special statement in connection with the issues raised by the Tibetan hunger strikers. She reiterated the Clinton Administration's continued effort to urge the Chinese Government to engage in serious negotiations with the Dalai Lama or his representatives, without preconditions. The statement further mentioned that the United States, along with like-minded countries, hopes to continue raise the Tibetan issue.

As a result of tremendous pressure from world leaders, NGOs, parliamentarians and religious leaders, UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali today sent an emissary to meet the hunger strikers. Several diplomats and NGO representatives also went to meet the six Tibetans.This morning a special inter-faith service was held at the venue of the hunger strike participated by Christian, Jewish, Jain and Buddhist representatives.

However, the motivating factor for the six Tibetans to break their fast was a message received from the Dalai Lama. His Holiness' message was conveyed to them by his Representative, Rinchen Dharlo. " The six hunger strikers were deeply touched when I read His Holiness the Dalai Lama's message to them," said Representative Dharlo.