< FREEDOM FOR TIBET/DEMOCRACY IN CHINA ! - #41 >

Newsletter on the campaigns of the Radical Party for the freedom of Tibet and the democracy on China.

"I truly believe that individuals can make a difference in society. Since periods of great change such as the present one come so rarely in human history, it is up to each of us to make the best use of our time to help create a happier world".

His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, 1992

Issue #41, October 29, 1996

Editors office: Massimo Lensi, Dorottya u. 3.III.em6 - 1051 Budapest (H)Tel. +36-1-266.34.86 - 266.09.35 Fax. +36-1-11.87.937

E-mail: M.Lensi@agora.stm.it WWW-URL http://www.agora.stm.it/pr - Telnet: Agora.stm.it

Distribution; Alberto Novi, rue Belliard 89, Rem 508, 1047 Brussels (B)Tel: +32-2-2304121 - Fax: +32-2-2303670

Published in English, Spanish, French, Italian, Hungarian, Croatian and Rumanian

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A GREAT WEEK FOR LIBERTY IN TIBET AND DEMOCRACY IN CHINA.

THE DALAI LAMA VISITS THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT.

WEI JINGSHENG WINS THE 1996 SACHAROV PRIZE.

The past week was undoubtedly of great importance for our battle for freedom in Tibet and democracy in China: His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited the European Parliament and presented an important discourse on the negotiation situation; Wei Jingsheng won the 1996 Sacharov Prize and the European parliament approved numerous budget amendments in favor of Tibet. These are all substantial steps forward in the long walk that is before us, but also, if we want, results of our non-violent dialogue initiatives such as the Oct. 2nd fasting for the liberty of the Panchen Lama and Wei Jingsheng.

For this reason, but also for a thousand others you well know, we have the responsibility of reinforcing the political road we have chosen, organizing to the best of our abilities the other initiative that we have decided to take to continue the pursuit of a non-violent dialogue we started on Oct. 2nd. December 10th is the second stop , the second moment of mobilization in the squares for the organization of the "24 Hour Walk Around" at the Ministries of Foreign Affairs for the liberty of the Panchen Lama and Wei Jingsheng. It is the second moment along the path that will bring us to Geneva next March 9-10 which, after many non-violent initiatives, will culminate with the "Satyagraha 1998" for freedom in Tibet. For now there are seven (including four capitals) cities where walk Around are planned. These are few, in fact, very few cities, when considering there are only 42 days left until Dec. 10th. "Time is running out".....

Good Work!

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THE DALAI LAMA AT THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

The Dalai Lama returned on the 23rd and 24th of October to the European Parliament, many years after his preceding visit in June of 1988, where he was able to present before the euro-deputies an important program for the opening of negotiations between the Tibetan people and Chinese government.

On this occasion His Holiness was able to meet numerous exponents of the European Institutions, among them Klaus HAENSCH, President of the European Parliament, Jacques SANTER, President of the European Commission, and Emma BONINO, its Commissary. The Dalai Lama, despite strong pressure from the Chinese, held an important discussion in the hall (which, for reasons of space, we will publish in the next issue of Tibet-China Fax) and was listened to by the Foreign Affairs Commission, the Development and Cooperation Commission, and the sub-committee on human rights as well as the PPE, PSE, Liberal, Radical, and Green groups. The program was organized by the Tibet Intergroup at the European parliament, the president of which is James MOORHOUSE. At the conclusion of the program in parliament, His Holiness held a press conference at the Congressional Palace in Strausburg.

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SATYAGRAHA 98/ENCOUNTER WITH TRP

During his visit to Strausburg, the Dalai Lama visited with Marco PANNELLA, leader of the Transnational Radical Party, and with its secretary Olivier DUPUIS. The subject of the discussion was the preparation for the global Satyagraha in 1998 for the liberty of Tibet.

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EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT/WEI SACHAROV PRIZE 1996

On the proposal of the Radical European Alliance and the Liberal and Reformatory Groups the European Parliament assigned, on Oct. 24th, the Sacharov Prize to Chinese dissident Wei Jingsheng.

* Olivier DUPUIS, secretary of the Transnational Radical Party and Deputy to the European Parliament made the following declaration:

"The attribution of the Sacharov prize to Wei Jingsheng, symbol of the fight for democracy in China and of dialogue with the Tibetans, is a great victory for all those who struggle for the establishment of democracy in China and freedom for Tibet. The Sacharov Prize for Wei is also a great victory for the European Parliament, which demonstrates in this way its ability to surpass pressures, and most important of all, its ability to recognize that Wei Jingsheng's struggle for a democratic future for one billion and two hundred million Chinese people, and for the future liberty of six million Tibetans, is a fight for peace for all humanity. It is equally a great day for the Transnational Radical Party which struggled together with its friends in the Federation for Chinese Democracy for the attribution of the Nobel peace prize for Wei in 1996, and who have already begun to campaign for the Nobel Prize for Wei in 1997 and for his freedom."

* At the microphones of Radio Radicale (radio program that is heard throughout Italy) WEI Shanshan, the sister of the Chinese dissident, gave a long interview to Paolo PIETROSANTI, of which we present the following transcript:

" I was very happy when I heard the news. I would like to thank the European Parliament and all the people of the Transnational Radical Party for the many years they have supported my brother's struggle. The fact that this prize was awarded to him demonstrates that many people, including the European Parliament, support the fight for human rights and democracy. I am both happy and honored for my brother. there are new situations in China, but they are not things that make one happy. Recently, three dissidents from Chan Chan were arrested, only because they supported Wei Jingsheng. One of them was treated so badly that he threw himself from a window in a suicide attempt, and is now in the hospital. And it is said that Wang Dang, another famous dissident, is about to be condemned to a harsh sentence as well. Many dissidents were arrested without a motive. Even in Tibet the situation has worsened and people have disappeared."

* Wei Sacharov 1996. Press Releases

- "La conference des Presidents attribue le prix a Wej Jingsheng", in the Agence Europe (25/10). (11313 Conf.Part.Rad.)

- "Sacharov Prize to Wei Jingsheng", in the Rilindja (Albania, 26/10). (11279 Conf.Part.Rad.)

- "Wei Jingsheng krijgt Sacharovprijs", in the De Morgen (26/10). (1553 Conf.Tibet)

- "Le prix Sakharov au dissident chinois Wei Jingsheng", in the Le Monde (France, 26/10). (1552 Conf.Tibet)

- "Sakarov Prize to the Chinese dissident Wei", by Ilaria Maria SALA in the Il Manifesto (Italy, 26/10) (11283 Conf.Part.Rad.)

- "Le bonheur, c'est du chinois" by Maroun LABAKI, in the Le Soir (Belgio, 26/10). (1554 Conf.Tibet)

- "L'Occidente è complice. Un regime autoritario e paternalista" by Renata PISU, in the La Repubblica (Italy, 26/10). (11281 Conf.Part.Rad.)

- "Dura protesta di Pechino. Il Sakarov al dissidente Wei", in the La Repubblica (Italy, 26/10). (11280 Conf.Part.Rad.)

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EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT/TIBET/BUDGET 1997

The European parliament, in approving the tentative budget for the European Union for 1997, has approved numerous amendments on Tibet presented to it by deputies, and members of the Transnational Radical Party, Olivier DUPUIS and Gianfranco DELL'ALBA (ARE Group). The first amendment regards the restoration of grants to an increase of 2.6 million ECU (or 3.2 million USD) to the Tibetan refugees. A second amendment approves the financing and promotion of information, primarily by radio, to the Tibetans in exile and in Tibet. The third amendment regards the promotion and defense of human rights projects in Tibet. In the end, in revising another amendment, the parliament stated that the finances destined for Nepal must be subordinated to a guarantee of non-expulsion, on behalf of the Nepalese authorities, of Tibetan refugees. finally, two more amendments were approved, the first regarding lines of finance for the non-governmental agencies operating in Burma for the defense of human rights, and the second for the

co-financing, at the right moment, of commercial actions with China (Taiwan).

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THE DALAI LAMA IN BUDAPEST

After his visit to Strausburg His Holiness participated in the UNESCO gala for "Children in need" in Dusseldorf, and then stayed in Budapest as a guest of the Budapest Klub on October 27th and 28th for the ceremony of presentation for the Manifesto of the Spirit of Planetary Consciousness, which is promoted by the Budapest Klub. While in the Hungarian capital, besides the numerous encounters in Parliament, the Dalai Lama participated in a press conference with the representatives of the political parties, to present the foundation of the Tibet Intergroup at the Hungarian Parliament.

The Dalai Lama's visit concluded on Oct. 28th at ten with a crowded public assembly at the Palace of the Congress of Construction Syndicates of Budapest: about one thousand people listened to the words of His Holiness in the same hall in which the Hungarian Socialist Worker's party (MSZMP) held its congress in the socialist years, but which was on that day decorated with hundreds and hundreds of Tibetan flags. At three o'clock, after lunch with the Indian ambassador to Budapest, the Dalai Lama left for Paris.

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DECEMBER 10TH;

WALK AROUND FOR THE LIBERTY OF THE PANCHEN LAMA AND WEI JINGSHENG

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VIENNA WALK AROUND

Latest News: "Save Tibet" of Vienna, in a reunion held last week, decided to organize a "24 Hour Walk Around" at the Ministry of foreign Affairs in the Austrian capital for the liberation of Wei Jingsheng and the Panchen Lama.

*Save Tibet (Vienna) tel. 43-1-48.49.087 fax 48.49.088

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WALK AROUND IN BORDEAUX

Federic RAVA-RENY, president of the "Asia - Pacifique" society, has informed us that there will be a walk-Around in Bordeaux on December 10th. With this, the number of cities where a non-violent initiative will be held rises to seven. The "Walk Around Cities" as of oct. 28th are Brussels, Rome, Budapest, Vienna, Turin, Bordeuax, and Marseilles. from the "Green Mountain Sangha" in the United States the first support has also arrived.

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PARTICIPATION FORM FOR THE WALK AROUND

(image of the Panchen Lama) (image of Wei)

( ) I support the Dec. 9th and 10th Walk Around for the liberation of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama, and for the freedom of Wei Jingsheng, the Chinese dissident.

( ) I intend to work on the preparation committee of the initiative in

............................. (country).

( ) I intend to participate in the Walk Around that will take place in

.............................. (country).

* The hour I prefer to walk is:

- from.......to....... on Dec. 9th

- from.......to....... on Dec. 10th

First and last name:.......................................

Complete Address:..........................................

...........................................................

...........................................................

Country:...................................................

Telephone:.................................................

Fax:.......................................................

E-Mail:....................................................

Profession:................................................

Organization:..............................................

Note:......................................................

...........................................................

...........................................................

...........................................................

* please send this completed form (please print information) to one of the following addresses:

- by mail: Transnational Radical Party, Rue Belliard 97-113, Rem 508, 1047 Brussels (Belgium)

- by fax: +32-2-230.36.70 - 284.91.98 / 97

- by E-Mail: pr.bruxelles@agora.stm.it

* you may also declare your participation and that of other people by telephone at +32-2-230.41.21

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WEI JINGSHENG FOR THE 1997 NOBEL PEACE PRIZE:

NOMINATIONS FROM TAIWAN AND OTHER PARLIAMENTS AND UNIVERSITIES

In recent days another 24 Parliamentarians and University Professors have signed the candidacy proposal, bringing the total to 564 nominations (397 Parliamentarians, 165 Professors, and two members of Government)

* Parliamentarians

Yi-Hsing CHEN (Taiwan, New Party), Jong-Shyong SHYU (Taiwan, K.M.T.), Li-Ming YAO (Taiwan, New Party), Sonia AGUINTADA CARRANZA (El Salvador, Social Democrata), Tamwi N. MATAKITE (Kiribati), Bajram KOSUMI (Partito Parlamentare del Kossovo), Merxhan AVDYLI (Partito Parlamentare del Kossovo), Angelo SANTORI (Italy, FI), Armodio Antonio MENDIETA SANCHEZ (Nicaragua, PLI), Jaime ROCHA (Cile, Partido Radical Social Democrata).

* University Professors

Lipovas THANOS (University of Athen), Giuseppe MOSCONI (University of Padova), Pietro DEL NEGRO (University of Padova), Alexandru NICULESCU (University of Udine), Valentina DUKA (University of Tirana), Dalip ÇOTA (University of Tirana), Dhimiter DOKA (University of Tirana), Llambri PILO (University of Tirana), Petrika THENGJILLI (University of Tirana), Rexhep MURATI (University of Pristina), Agim PACA (University of Pristina), Bajram UKAJ (University of Pristina), Hajredin KUQI (University of Pristina), Zdenek NEUBAUER (University of Prague).

* TIBET-CHINA TELEX *

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TIBET-INTERGROUP AT THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT/ARTISTS FOR TIBET

On the initiative of Tserring CHOEPEL, member of the Tibetan government in exile, Flemish artist Frank LIEFOOGHE, and EuroDeputy Jessica LARIVE, a member of the Tibet intergroup at the European Parliament, the organization of an global artistic event on the tragic situation in Tibet will begin.

The objective is to hold, in between July 1st and August 31st of 1998, "vernissages" all over the world that symbolize the situation in Tibet.

150 artists from all the continents will be contacted and asked if their art can be used for the Tibetan cause. For more information, contact Jessica LARIVE, MEP, European Parliament, Rue Belliard 97-113, 1047 Brussels (Belgium).

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WEI NOBEL/COMMITTEE OF 100 FOR TIBET

Michael BACHMANN, president of the Committee of 100 for Tibet, has sent a letter to all of the members of the committee asking them to support Wei for the 1997 Nobel peace prize. The Committee of 100 for Tibet is an international organization of artists, intellectuals, and politicians dedicated to freedom for Tibet. Members include Oscar Arias-Sanchez, Joan Baez, George Fernandes, Richard Gere, Rita Levi Montalcini, Mairead Corrigan, Elie Weisel, and David Lynch.

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OCTOBER 2ND/FASTING/CROATIAN GOVERNMENT

On October 21st the spokesperson of the Croatian Minister of Foreign Affairs sent a response to the requests of liberation for the Panchen Lama and Wei Jingsheng to the fasters of Oct. 2nd. Frane KRNIC, in the letter addressed to the Transnational Radical Party, sustains that "without undervaluing in any way the seriousness of the problem indicated in your letter, we must recall your attention to the realization that the initiatives, in the way you suggest them, would not only threaten the good relations between the Republic of Croatia and the People's Republic of China, they would represent a deviation from the previous protocol and the norms established by the Vienna Convention for diplomatic activity."

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AREZZO (ITALY)/ DALAI LAMA

The communal council of Arezzo approved on Oct. 23rd an Order of the Day which invites the Dalai Lama to visit the Tuscan city.

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MACERATA (ITALY)/ WEI NOBEL

In occasion of the International Convention on Matteo RICCI (the Jesuit who worked in China for many years) and Giusseppe TUCCI (one of the most prominent Italian Tibetologists) a press release was held on October 22nd in Macerata by the Transnational Radical Party and the Greens to solicit the town to present an Order of the Day nominating Wei for the Nobel Peace Prize and extended honorary citizenship to him.

* PRESS RELEASE *

- "In this way china annihilates Tibet" by Angelo Bonanni, in Il Corriere della Sera (Italy) 10/26. On the visit of the Dalai Lama to the European Parliament and the finances approved in favor of the Tibetan refugees. (11288 Conf.Part.Rad.)

- "Don't Forget Tibet" (Corriere Adriatico, 10/23); Democracy in China: the radicals and greens demonstrate in the square" (Il Resto del Carlino, 10/23). On the press conference of the TRP and greens on Wei as honorary citizen of Macerata. (11276 Conf.Part.Rad.)

- "Wang Dan: proces juges d'avance" by C.P. in Liberation (France) on 10.26. On the trial that will be held in China against Wang dan, leader of the student movement in Tienanmen Square. (1551 Conf.Tibet)

In between parentheses is the archival code in the multilingual telematic system Agora (Telnet: agora.stm.it)

* REVIEWS *

* "Chine, on ne baillonne pas la lumiere" by Noel MAMERE and Marie HOLZMAN.

Ramsay edition (France 1996). An impassioned book on China's entrapment by the Deng regime. An live and emotional portrait of the principal dissidents of the Peking regime: from Wei Jinghseng, the Chinese mandela, to Ding Zilin, "la folle de Tien'anmen."

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IN THE NEXT ISSUE

The next issue of Tibet-China Fax will be a special edition on Wednesday, October 30th featuring the complete text of the Dalai Lama's speech to the European Parliament.