Once again, a very Happy Losar! To date there are 75+ Co-Sponsors of the "March for Tibet's Independence." Again, we welcome your organization to join the list. To be included on the walk brochure, I need to know your decision by February 14. Also, please consider adding a walk link to your website. I can send you an image if you are interested. I look forward to hearing from you. Further Information: www.rangzen.com

thanks, Larry Gerstein

President, Int'l Tibet Independence Movement

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN INDIA

The Tibetan community in exile in India has been experiencing some unemployment, so a new vocational school is now being completed in Dehra Dun, India. Qualified, experienced volunteer instructors are needed in the following trades: plumbing, carpentry, welding, automobile repairs, electrician, secretarial with knowledge of MS office applications. You will be needed by June 2000 or sooner. Minimum 6 month commitment. Housing and meals will be provided. Possible assistance with airfare. This work offers an integration of spirituality into social action, where giving and receiving become one. Further information:

Dory Beatrice

San Diego Friends of Tibet

dorykb@san.rr.com>

Phone: (619) 282-8222

www.sdtibet.org

TAKE ACTION NOW & STOP CONGRESS FROM GRANTING CHINA PERMANENT NTR!

Pres Clinton recently announced he will pull out all the stops to get Congress to grant China permanent "normal trade relations" (NTR) status. Clinton said the only way to "lock in" America's benefits from the WTO agreement with China is to "first grant china permanent normal trade relations status." He even went as far as to name the various staffers he would assign to this "all-out effort" and he ended his speech with "we will do everything we can to succeed."

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

1) Clinton and his staff are telling the media and the Congress that

permanent NTR is necessary for the US to benefit from the recent trade accord

with China BUT this is NOT TRUE. Permanent NTR is vital only to the US firms

that intend to relocate their production to China and want to secure access

to the US markets even in case of a diplomatic breakdown between Washington

and Beijing.

2) Every June, the Congress votes on whether to renew China's NTR status for

another year. This annual debate is the only mechanism to engage every

Representative and Senator in a highly publicized discussion of US-China

policy, including issues that are easily overshadowed by economic interests

and national security concerns, such as China's illegal occupation of Tibet.

It exposes China's abuses to intense attention from international policy

makers, the media, and the Beijing leadership.

3) This year, the Clinton Administration and big business interests will try

almost anything to secure a Congressional vote granting permanent NTR in

return for unfettered trade with China. The US Chamber of Commerce, the

nation's largest business federation, will spend up to $8 million to support

selected members of congress as part of an all out campaign to secure

permanent NTR for China.

If we can make ourselves known to our local Representatives and show them

that THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT TO KEEP THE SPOTLIGHT ON CHINA'S HUMAN RIGHTS

ABUSES, then we can win this one!

What you can do:

1. GO ONLINE to www.rollcall.com and figure out who your congressperson is.

2. CALL your congressperson. Ask them what their stance on permanent NTR for

China is. Tell them that you are registered in their district and that you

oppose permanent NTR for China, because of the Chinese government's continued

human rights abuses in China and Tibet.

3. FAX a letter to your congressperson.

4. Visit your Member of Congress's district office. The next Congressional

recess is February 21-29th. We need everyone to schedule a meeting with

their Representative.

Further information:

Alesha Daughtrey

Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch

202-454-5103 (tel), 202-547-7392 (fax)

215 Pennsylvania Ave., SE

Washington, DC 20003

alesha@citizen.org; www.tradewatch.org