From: Rinchen Dharlo, Office of Tibet, New York

Date: October 22, 1995

1. As you know, since October 14, 1995 six Tibetans, residing in the United States, have been on an hunger strike until death in front of the United Nations. They have submitted a five-point charter of demands to Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali.

Although eight days have passed, the Secretary-General has not given any response to the hunger strikers. Also, there has hardly been any media coverage. To give you an example, the New York Times had just one sentence on the hunger strike so far. It appears that no one is taking the hunger strikers seriously. But the matter is becoming urgent as the hunger strikers' condition is fast deteriorating. They are determined to go on with it and unless we can build up enough pressure on the United Nations, it is certain that the six Tibetans will die.

The hunger strike was initiated by the National Democratic Party of Tibet. I learnt of the activity only after the organizers had finalised their program. But we cannot remain idle when six precious lives are at stake. We cannot afford to lose the life of even one Tibetan at this critical juncture of our history.

I would therefore like to seek your immediate action by writing to the UN Secretary-General as well as the UN High Commission on Human Rights requesting them to intervene at once in the Tibetan case. I am sending here a copy of the appeal being sent by Tibetans who have gathered in New York city from different parts of U.S. and Canada. You are, of course, free to restructure it in anyway you feel. The important thing is for you to have as many people as possible to write to the UN.

Fax Numbers:

1. Secretary-General (212) 963-4879

2. Ms. Elissazet Stamatopoulou Head of Center for Human Rights (212) 963-4097

October 21, 1995

H.E. Boutros Boutros-Ghali

Secretary-General

United Nations Organization

Your Excellency:

We the undersigned, representing Tibetans residing in over 30 states in the United States, as well as from Canada, are writing this to show our strong support to six of our compatriots who are on a hunger strike unto death before the UN since October 14, 1995.

We regret deeply that Your Excellency has not found the time to respond to their charter of demands although eight days have passed. The six-million Tibetans of Tibet have been experiencing unimaginable suffering under China's occupation for more than 40 years. China has denied our people of all fundamental rights which the UN has guaranteed to all citizens of the world in its Charter as well as in the Declaration on Human Rights.

When China continues to violate the basic tenets of the United Nations, how can Your Excellency continue to remain silent?

Does the United Nations intervene only when blood is shed, as we are currently seeing in Bosnia?

Should the Tibetans turn to violence to gain the attention of the world's peace keeper?

The UN is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Only when it sincerely comes to the assistance of the suppressed and the oppressed can the United Nations claim success in its endeavor. The Tibetan issue is a test case for the United Nations. When a permanent member of the Security Council, China, blatantly violates the charter of the United Nations, there is a need for action on the part of the world body. We are sure the United Nations would not like to celebrate its 50th anniversary by allowing six Tibetans to die at its doorsteps.

We, therefore, appeal to Your Excellency to consider the demands of the six hunger strikers. We look forward to your immediate attention.

With our deep respects,

Yours sincerely,

# # #

2. On the evening of October 21, 1995 Tibetans and Tibet supporters began the first of the series of demonstrations to coincide with the 50th anniversary of UN and the visit of Chinese President Jiang Zemin.

On a chilly night, more than 300 people gathered before the World Financial Center where the New York mayor was hosting a dinner reception to the visiting heads of state. The demonstrators carried many Tibetan national flags and banners and shouted slogans. Later, the people gathered at a local Church where they were briefed by Representative Rinchen Dharlo, USTC Chairman Sonam Wangdu and NY & NJ Tibetan Association president Lobsang Ngodup. Mrs. Tsering Gyaltong, one of the members of the Tibetan delegation to the Beijing conference also briefed the gathering on the conference.

The following are the schedule for the next four days:

October 22, 1995: Day-long demonstration before the UN and demonstration at night at the NY Public Library (dinner reception for the heads of state).

October 23, 1995: Day-long demonstration before the UN. Night demonstration at the Lincoln Center

October 24, 1995: Day-long demonstration before the UN.

October 25, 1995: Night demonstration at the Grand Hyatt.