Brussels, March 1, 1996

Dear Colleague,

On Monday 10th March in Strasbourg, our President, Mr HÄNSCH, will receive Prof. SAMDHONG Rinpoche, President of the Tibetan Parliament in exile.

This gesture from our President credits our Parliament and credits us all. As you will indeed remember, the European Parliament adopted in July 1995 an urgency resolution on the tragic situation in Tibet in which it stressed: "its support for the Tibetan people" and wished that: "permanent contacts could be established between the Tibetan Parliament in exile and the European Parliament."

During his visit, The President of the Tibetan Parliament in exile will also be heard by the Foreign Affairs Committee, on Monday 11th March at 7pm (in room IPE.2. Salle 3). All MEPs are welcome to attend this meeting.

We are convinced that this visit is an exceptional occasion to gain a better understanding of the Tibetan issue and of the moves that could be made by the European Parliament to add its weight to the forces attempting to solve this sad situation.

We also take this opportunity to remind you that the first European March "Freedom for Tibet" will be held on 10th March in Brussels and will bring together thousands of citizens from all over the European Union and from other European countries, with the presence - among others - of the President of the Tibetan Parliament in exile. The meeting point for the beginning of the March is at 11am, avenue de Tervuren 434 (just opposite the Chinese Embassy). Several MEPs have already announced their participation in this major event.

We look forward to seeing you in large numbers at the Foreign Affairs meeting next Monday at 7pm (Room IPE.2. Salle 3).

Best reguards,

James MOORHOUSE

(President of the E.P. Intergroup on Tibet)