Subject: CACCP Weekly 10/19/97
Focus:
Getting ready for the Florida Splendid China Protest demonstration on 12/27/97 to commemorate the 4th anniversary of the opening of the theme park.
1. Accomplishments
2. Plans
3. Action List
a. Collecting letters/articles
4. Misc.
a. Press Release
b. Frontline: DREAMS OF TIBET PBS airdate: Tuesday, October 28, 9 P.M.
c. CTI Homepage ready
d. E-MAIL NEWSLETTER- World Uyghur Network News (WUNN)
e. Seven Miles for Tibet (India)
f. Highlights of Seven Days For Tibet in Florida
1. Accomplishments slowly catching up on things
2. Plans
Plan for upcoming protest Assimilate incoming data...
3. Action List
a. Collecting letters/articles
Please send copies of your letters to the editors, school board members, etc., so that they can be included in our web-pages. Let your voice be heard. Thanks to those who have mailed your letters in.
Any articles mentioning Splendid China are welcome also, we prefer to re-print in it's entirety so we can't be blamed for an 'out-of-context' quotations.
4. Misc.
a. Press Release
PRESS RELEASE
INNER MONGOLIA IS AN OCCUPIED LAND
In the northern region of China, wedged between China proper and Mongolia sits a land of nearly a million square miles, home to over 3 million Mongols living under the brutal conditions of armed occupation by the Chinese army in the same way that Tibet and Eastern Turkistan are occupied.
This land is known as the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region (more correctly known as Southern Mongolia), commonly referred to as Inner Mongolia. Since 1947, the Chinese Communist government has systematically denied our human rights as a separate nationality to practice our customs, our religion and to live our nomadic lifestyle. During the cultural revolution of the 1960's, the Chinese slaughtered thousands of Mongols in a campaign of ethnic cleansing, a horror story still largely unknown to the outside world, but just as shocking and barbaric as anything carried out by the Naxis during World War II. Over the past 50 years of occupation, the Chinese policy of population transfer has moved 20 million Chinese peasants into Inner Mongolia, to make the Mongols a minority in their own lands, causing a shift from a herding economy to a farming economy. This has caused widespread desertification throughout the steppes of Inner Mongolia.
In most parts of the land, the Mongols have been forced to give up their traditional nomadic lifestyle, and adopt the farming lifestyle of the Chinese emigrants. The vast natural resources of the land, in the form of oil, coal and minerals, have been plundered without any due consideration given to the effects on the ecology, and has caused further environmental damage. The Chinese military has used large areas for nuclear testing, and the resultant nuclear wastes have poisoned the waters and the land in many parts of this region, which will damage future generations of Mongols for years to come. Opposition to these policies have been met with harsh repressive measures by the central Communist government, resulting in mass arrests and imprisonment of thousands of Mongols. The situation of the Mongols today is very grave, we are a small minority in our own lands, our culture, traditions and language are being forced out of existence, our lands are being polluted and our human rights are systematically denied.
We call upon all peace-loving individuals throughout the world, to join with us in condemning the polices of the Chinese government in Inner Mongolia.
We specifically ask:
1. Stop the policy of repression towards Mongol nationalists who peacefully express their opposition to the policies of the Chinese government. Acknowledge and permit freedom of speech, publication, public protest as well as peaceful organized meetings, especially for groups such as the 'Southern Mongolian Democratic Alliance'.
2. Stop the Chinese migration and population assimilation policies toward Mongolian.
3. Stop the rearrangement of the administrative districts in Inner Mongolia. Lift the restrictions on the use of Mongolian name for cities and towns.
4. Stop the manufacture and testing of nuclear weapons and any military related production in Inner Mongolia and surrounding regions.
5. Stop the inclusion of the Mongol people as a part of the "Chinese People" in Chinese government political principles.
6. Stop all political and economic interference with independent Mongolia.
7. Implement the International Human Rights Treaty, economic, social and cultural rights Treaty, Extinguished Races Treaty, and Racial discrimination Treaty of the United Nation as well as other applicable Internationally acknowledged laws and Treaties.
8. Initiate a political dialogue with the Mongol opposition so that a peaceful solution to the above questions be negotiated; immediately release imprisoned members of the opposition such as Hada and Tegexi.
9. Allow journalists and international observers regular access to Inner Mongolia.
b. DREAMS OF TIBET
PBS airdate: Tuesday, October 28, 9 P.M., 60 minutes
On the eve of Chinese leader Jiang Zemin's visit to the White House, and as Hollywood prepares to release two new films on Tibet, FRONTLINE looks at how the uncertain fate of this fabled country has made the leap from a matter of foreign policy to a phenomenon of popular culture.
In "Dreams of Tibet," airing Tuesday, October 28, at 9 P.M., on PBS (check local listings), FRONTLINE correspondent and China-watcher Orville Schell, who traveled secretly to Tibet for FRONTLINE in 1994, explores the West's intense interest in the fate of Tibet. The film looks at the growing awareness of an endangered Tibetan religious and cultural heritage in the face of Chinese repression.
"The traditionally controversial and exoticized subject of Tibet has really taken on new life by its infusion into mainstream popular culture," says Schell. "Disenchantment with China, sparked by the 1989 massacre in Tiananmen Square, has fueled an infatuation with Tibetan culture, personified by its spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. The embracing of Tibet by Hollywood's elite and other pop cul ture figures has spurred a love affair between the West and this extraordinary culture on the roof of the world."
In June, President Clinton announced his intention to renew China's most favored-nation (MFN) trade status, despite what is considered by many to be a deplorable human-rights record in Tibet and elsewhere. MFN has never been denied China-even after the 1989 massacre of prodemocracy activists in Tiananmen Square-because its rapidly expanding economy constitutes an enormous market for American exp orts. When Jiang Zemin comes to Washington for his first official state visit, many observers will be watching to see if President Clinton takes the opportunity to raise uncomfortable questions about human rights in Tibet and China.
"When the Republicans were in-when Bush and Reagan were in-the Democrats were screaming no more most favored nations for China and down with China, we've got to have a strong China policy," says actor and committed Buddhist Richard Gere. "So Clinton is elected basically on that policy, and the first thing he does is he says, 'I've changed my mind. I want to have Chinese friends now.' Essential ly you can't have friends unless you hold them accountable-the same things you hold your family accountable to."
In 1993, Gere denounced Chinese human-rights abuses in Tibet during an Academy Awards speech that was broadcast to over one billion television viewers. Since then, the interest of celebrities in Tibet's fate has snowballed. Actors like Harrison Ford, Sharon Stone, Meg Ryan, and Steven Segal and Oliver Stone-both practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism-have spoken out for Tibetan independence. Direct or Oliver Stone recently donated $500,000 for a Tibetan Buddhist temple near Los Angeles.
But Hollywood's elite aren't the only celebrities working to raise awareness about Tibet. In 1996, Adam Yauch of the group Beastie Boys organized a Tibetan Freedom Concert in San Francisco which reportedly raised $800,000 for Tibetan relief efforts. The event was also "cybercast" on the World Wide Web, which attracted tens of thousands of audio listeners.
Similar concerts were mounted at Carnegie Hall and on New York City's Randall Island, which included performances by the groups U2 and R.E.M. as colorfully dressed Tibetan monks roamed the grounds. Major fashion designers like Anna Sui, Todd Oldham, and Marc Jacobs have attached tags to their clothing informing shoppers about Tibetan politics and dissuading them from buying Chinese goods. Will this new found popular interest in Tibet have an impact on policy?
"Hollywood I think is more powerful than the United States government and the United States military in terms of its ability to create awareness of issues," says Schell. "So this is no small matter, this arrival of Hollywood on the Tibet scene."
"Dreams of Tibet" is produced by Ben Loeterman and co-produced by David Breashears. The correspondent is Orville Schell.
FRONTLINE is produced by a consortium of public television stations: WGBH Boston, WTVS Detroit, WPBT Miami, WNET New York, KCTS Seattle.
Funding for FRONTLINE is provided through the support of PBS viewers.
FRONTLINE is closed-captioned for deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers. The executive producer for FRONTLINE is Michael Sullivan. The senior executive producer for FRONTLINE is David Fanning.
Access FRONTLINE ONLINE at www.pbs.org/frontline for: special reports on Tibetan Buddhism and history, maps, photos, a chronology of the West's encounters with Tibet, more of the FRONTLINE interviews, and readings.
Press contacts:
Jim Bracciale [jim_bracciale@wgbh.org]
Rick Byrne [rick_byrne@wgbh.org]
Chris Kelly [chris_kelly@wgbh.org]
Press and PBS station inquiries: (617) 783-3500
Viewer comments and inquiries: (617) 492-2777 X4400
c. CTI Homepage ready
From: "Dr. Chun-Nan Hsu" Subject: CTI Homepage ready
Your comments, if within our capability, have been addressed. Thanks!
Presenting a New feature:
an animation of Clinton kowtow to Jiang Ze-Min!!!!
Please help spread the word out:
1. Put a link to this page in any homepage in your control.
2. Spread the news in the mailing lists.
3. Spread the news in newsgroups.
4. Register this page to popular search engines.
This is the easiest way to help the voice of Taiwanese be heard. Please do help! Please at least do one of the four. God bless you and Taiwan.
-- Kun-Lam
d. E-MAIL NEWSLETTER- World Uyghur Network News (WUNN)
The World Uyghur Network News electronic newsletter is produced by the Eastern Turkistan Information Center (Germany) in cooperation with the Taklamakan Uighur Human Rights Association (USA), and is devoted to the current political, cultural and economic developments in Eastern Turkistan and to the Uyghur people related issues.
Eastern Turkistan (Sherqiy Turkistan in Uyghur) is a name used by the indigenous people of the region for their motherland located in what is at present the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People's Republic China.
The World Uyghur Network News brings information on situation in Eastern Turkistan from the Uyghur and other sources to the attention of the international community.
The newsletter is distributed in two ways. First, WUNN is regularly posted on the Uighur-L discussion list. To subscribe to the Uighur-L list send to:
majordomo@taklamakan.org
subscribe Uighur-L The second, the newsletter is sent out individually to those who wish to receive only the newsletter. For subscription, contact Rakhim Aitbayev at rakhim@lochbrandy.mines.edu.
To obtain all the previous issues of WUNN on the web, please, visit:
http://www.uygur.com/en/wunn/wunn.html
Rakhim Aitbayev WUNN editore. Seven Miles for Tibet (India)
To mark the release of highly acclaimed film 'Seven Years in Tibet' in New York city on Oct.8, the Tibetan Youth Congress, a largest NGO in the Tibetan diaspora, organized a 'Seven Miles for Tibet' walk on Oct. 11, starting from Tsugla-Khang to Katcheri. At Tsugla-Khang(main cathedral), before the commencement of the walk, where over 2000 people gathered, Chief guest, Kalon Tripa Sonam Topgyal la addressed the gathered. He flayed the film on His Holiness produced by the Chinese government and said there is no authenticity in the film. While complementing, producer Jean Jacques Annaud, he said the film portrays the real situation of Tibet before the Chinese invasion.
The vice-President of TYC, Mr. Karma Yeshi, also praised the film maker for successfully completing the film and being able to release it in time despite strong Chinese opposition.
After the public address by the Chief Kalon and the youth leader, the line up for the walk began with Chief Kalon flagging off the walk from Tsugla-Khang. The walk shouting slogans dragged along the Jogibhara, Gangchen Kyishong, Kotwali Bazar and finally culminated at Katheri with a simple program. At Kotwali Bazar, over 250 students of the lower Tibetan Children's Village joined in the walk.
The President of NDPT and joint Secretary of the ITFS, Ven. Yeshi Phuntsok addressed the gathering in Hindi. He was later followed by the address to the gathering by TYC joint Secretary, Mr. L. Pema Lhundup. Mr. Lhundup while praising the Tibet Support Groups around the world, for organizing numerous activities in support of the film, stressed the need for more forceful activities in India, so that Indian government does not succumbs to the pressure from China to ban the film in India. He later read out the Press release issued by the Tibetan Youth Congress.
The text of the Press Release :
The much talked about movie 'Seven Years in Tibet' directed by Jean Jacquard Annals, based on true story written by Han rich Harder was released on Oct. 8,`97. The movie recounts the actual record of what really happened to Tibet and Tibetans in the face of Chinese invasion. It also depicts the exotic unfamiliar rich culture and traditional lifestyle of the Tibetans under the supreme leadership of His Holiness the Dadaism Lama in Tibet before the Chinese invasion. The main motive behind the making of this movie was to un coat the thick of misunderstandings about Tibet that had been mistranslated by the Chinese government.
The Chinese authorities made several attempts to bar the film maker from completing the movie. However, Annaud stood very firmly against all odds and successfully completed the film with firm commitment to enrich the knowledge about Tibet to the world community. The movie will undoubtedly serve as an outstanding media to gather substantial support and sympathizers to the Tibetan cause.
Tibetan issue is not merely an issue of struggle, it is a question of survival of a race that nears extinction under the barbaric rule of China.
Under the Chinese rule, Tibetans had experienced tremendous hardships and untold miseries which never before had befallen on the Tibetans in its 2000 years of history. Before the Chinese invasion, Tibet prosperously has everything in abundance, self-sufficient and remained peaceful abiding to the religious norms. Since the Chinese invasion, everything in Tibet changed. Each rights of the Tibetans have been snatched away. People dwell in fear and uncertainty to life always lingers in their mind. Over 1.2 million people lost their life as a direct result of Chinese repression and cruelties. Tibet became a dungeon of death for the Tibetans while Han Chinese enjoyed the fullest life in Tibet. Therefore, need for stronger film on Tibet is need of the hour !
To commemorate the commencement of the release of the much acclaimed movie'Seven Years in Tibet' from New York city, thousands of Tibet support Groups around the world are organising numerous activities in support of the movie throughout the world. In New York and Washington D.C, thousands of Tibet support activists began their week long activities "Seven Days for Tibet' by holding a candle light vigil in front of Chinese Embassy in their respective cities.
In India, though the film is yet to be released, an anticipated appeal to the government of India and caution her of the possible pressure from China, either for the release of the film or censoring important parts of the film in India, is essentially needed from the people of India. We, therefore, while strongly supporting the films 'Seven Years in Tibet' and 'Kundun'( to be released on December 25, `97) , undertake an activity of 'Seven Miles for Tibet' in Dharamsala on Oct. 11, and appeal the government of India for the uncensored release of both the films and help to enlighten the awareness of the Tibetan cause in India.
Mr. L. Pema Lhundup
Dated : Friday, Oct. 11, `97
Joint Secretary
Tibetan Youth Congress
Central Executive Committee
Mcleod Ganj. Dharamsala
f. Highlights of Seven Days For Tibet in Florida
10/8
Candlelight vigil at Central Park Largo was well attended (about 30 people).
Diane Wolf, a local author provided some background information. Dennis Harrison, coordinator of the event and local peace advocate said a prayer and spoke about the people of Tibet. Jack Churchward, a local supporter also gave a short talk on the propaganda in the Florida Splendid China theme park and efforts underway to stop it. The vigil lasted about an hour.
In Brandon, at the premiere, leafleting commenced.
10/10
Leafleting starts at "x" theatres.
10/11
Supporters gather to eat dinner and talk at a home of a member. After eating a hearty meal of Thukpa (Tibetan soup-Khampa style), Polla (Uighur rice dish), and mantou (steamed buns), supporters sat back in what little room was left and listened to Professor Norbu, Sung Li representing Taiwan and Ghulamettin Pahta from Eastern Turkestan. Professor Norbu remarked that the lies being perpetuated by the park is wrong. Tibet was an independent nation prior to the arrival of the Chinese. He also mentioned the efforts against the theme park are not just to help a few people, but will benefit millions. Rinpoche kept a smile on everyone's face as he gave his wonderful speech. Mr. Pahta was next and spoke to us about the tragedies of the Uighur people in Eastern Turkestan. How they were robbed of their homeland and have faced oppression and subjugation for the past 40 years left many in the room in tears.
Mr. Li from Ft. Lauderdale, told those assembled how once free, they were taken over by the Japanese, and later the Chinese occupation began under the Chiang Kai Chek and the KMT. He explained that all the material wealth of the island was removed to help the KMT win the civil war with the communists, and when the local people started to demonstrate, they were shot down in the streets. The date was 2/28/1947 and 30,000 Taiwanese were killed. He also mentioned that it wasn't about being anti-Chinese. As the people in attendance whose parents were Chinese and called themselves Taiwanese said, "we have a right to independence, as the people of Taiwan".
10/12
In commemoration of the 48th anniversary of the communist Chinese takeover of Eastern Turkestan, a protest demonstration was held at the main gate of Florida Splendid China in Kissimmee, Florida. The demonstration started a few minutes past the 10AM time announced, but the numbers of protesters made up for it.
At this demonstration, the Osceola Sheriffs Office (OSO) spoke to us in the parking lot before the demonstration and drove down Formosa Gardens Blvd.
only once. As well, the normal EMT cart was not in evidence. We have it on good authority that due to financial considerations, the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) support was not longer available at the theme park. This department of the park which ensures timely assistance for injured visitors was closed. It should cause an independent observer to wonder what other shortcuts are being taken by Florida Splendid China that could have potentially harmful consequences to visitors.
The joyful march to the main gate showed off the colorful (and banned) flags of Tibet, Eastern Turkestan, Southern Mongolia. As well the US flag was flown and CACCP's own unique version of the PRC flag (with the stars removed that represent Mongols, Tibetans, and Eastern Turkestanis). In addition, there were banners and signs which read, "Free Inner Mongolia", "Free Tibet", "Stop the Nuclear Testing in Eastern Turkestan", and "Independence for Taiwan". Leading the procession down the sidewalk was Professor Thupten J. Norbu, followed by about eighty other demonstrators shouting and chanting, "China Out of Tibet", "Shame on China", "China Out of Eastern Turkestan", "Independence for Taiwan", and "Freedom for Southern Mongolia". The Eastern Turkestani community greatly supported the demonstration, Mr. Ghulamettin Pahta, Ablajan Baret, Tuerdi Hoja, and three other Uighurs were in attendance, having traveled from far away to attend.
Our support among the Taiwanese community was also outstanding with many representing the local Taiwanese communities in Tampa Bay, Miami, and Orlando areas. I also wish to mention our core group of demonstrators also grew. Although not the largest demonstration held in front of the theme park, it certainly showed that the momentum has not slowed and that awareness about the park continues to increase.
The demonstration continued for two hours in front of the main gate at Florida Splendid China while the press continued to interview the guests and members of CACCP. The demonstrators noticed that only a few cars went into the park, even fewer stayed for more than 30 minutes (it was postulated that the ones that did stay were employees). At one point, the truck that transported the 'Big Cats' from Tiger's Eye Productions, paused for a few minutes at the main gate. The driver and attendant were asked why they had a bumper-sticker that said 'Save the Siberian Tiger", yet still kept them in small cages and drove them around to perform. One person asked if the cages were legally the proper size to transport these beautiful creatures, no response was given to these questions. About an hour into the demonstration, our friend in security, Clyde Still (who was recently promoted to Theft Prevention Manager), came out in his vehicle to talk with us. He wanted to ask if he could have another 'China Out of Tibet' bumper
-sticker to replace the faded one on his bumper. It was unfortunate that one was not available. He thanked us for the book which he was given at a past protest, 'Seven Years in Tibet' and exchanged pleasantries for about 15 minutes. After he had gone back into the park, it was noticed that more security forces had assembled on the sidewalks leading into the park in their golf-carts. They were approached to offer them some literature, but angrily warned off the lone participant who reached out to them.
The members of CACCP are grateful to have such a courteous relationship with both the OSO and security chief at the park. It is hopeful that the actions of a few park employees will not hinder our good relationships. It is certain that such actions will not slow down or stop our protests.
On the suggestion of our Taiwanese friends, the demonstration moved to US 192 and Formosa Gardens Blvd., where the enormous colored dragon sits. It was there that many people honked their horns in solidarity with us and some even stopped to chat with us. After the television media has finished taping and interviewing, the demonstrators concluded the demonstration and headed for the Formosa Gardens parking lot, where we were treated to 1000-year-old-eggs, fried rice, and buntou made by one of our gracious Taiwanese friends that morning.
The demonstration concluded with Professor Norbu saying a few words. He expressed his thanks for our efforts to inform the public about the distortions and lies about Tibet, Eastern Turkestan, and Southern Mongolia.
He also told those assembled that this was an important cause and not just for the benefit of a few people, but would help millions of people under Chinese colonial rule.
Bod Rangzen !
