Date: Thu, 3 Sep 1998

From: Tibetan Youth Congress tyc@DEL2.VSNL.NET.IN

Subject: Press Release from Tibetan Youth Congress, Dharamsala

To: TSG-L@LISTS.MCGILL.CA

PRESS RELEASE Sept 2, 1998 DHARAMSALA: The 10th General Body Meeting of the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) concluded last night with the TYC unanimously passing a resolution of no change in their stand on the independence of Tibet and reaffirming their faith in the leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The Tibetan Youth Congress is the largest non-governmental Tibetan organisation in exile with over 15,000 members spread in 65 regional chapters in the Indian subcontinent, Europe and the United States. The largest ever attended meeting of the TYC re-elected Mr. Tseten Norbu as president, Mr. Karma Yeshi as vice-president and elected Mr. Pema Lhundupas secretary. Speaking after his re-election the TYC president, Mr. Tseten Norbu, said that TYC's main focus is to strive for the national goal of the Tibetan people.

He said that the situation inside Tibet is extremely serious and that Tibetan race was facing threat of extinction. With change staking place in China and around the world there is also hope for Tibet, he said. In May the Tibetan Youth Congress called off the Hunger Strike Unto Death after receiving assurances from Norway, Costa Rica, Poland, and parliamentarians and non-governmental organisations around the world. The TYC demanded resumption of debate on Tibet at the UN General Assembly, to appoint a special repporteaur to investigate human rights situation in Tibet and to initiate a UN-supervised plebicite to determine the aspirations of the Tibetan people. The TYC resolved that if the UN failed to consider their demand then they would resume the hunger strike unto death at a venue to be decided by the central executive of the youth body.

The TYC's highest decision making body also resolved to find ways and means to put an end to Sinosization of Tibetan culture and Chinese population influx in occupied Tibet; to counter the Chinese policy of banning photos of the Dalai Lama and "re-education" campaign carried out throughout Tibet; and to further strive to keep alive and preserve the rich Tibetan culture and identity in exile. On August 27 while inaugurating the youth meeting, the Dalai Lama said that in democracy differences of opinions are welcome and is a healthy sign. The Tibetan spiritual and temporal leader said that while he has some valid reasons for no longer seeking independence of Tibet, the Tibetan Youth Congress has remained stead fast in demanding complete independence of Tibet. The Dalai Lama applauded the active role played by the TYC in highlighting the issue of Tibet in the international fora.

Issued by: Mr. Karma Yeshi VICE PRESIDENT

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