Published by: World Tibet Network News,Tuesday - December 18, 1995

Lindsay Daily Post

By Collin and Polly Lees

Forwarded by Woeser Jongdong

The S.O.S. Tibet cultural and entertainment information program on Community Cable 10, Sunday, December 10, received a very good response. Co-host Dorothy Carroll and Max Radiff interviewed such dignitaries as James George, High Commissioner to India (1967-72 instrumental in Tibetan coming to Canada) and Tsering Gyaltong who attended the Beijing Conference on Women, Thupten Samdup, North American representative of Tibetan Parliament in exile and Rinchen Dharlo who represents the Dalai Lama in New York.

One of the highlights was a look back to the dedication and assistance given by Dr William and Norma Service to the Tibetan families who came to Canada and especially to Lindsay area. Without their support and that of Senator Con Di Nino we night never have been fortunate enough to receive such wonderful families in our community.

Lobsang Mentuh opened the program with the white scarf ceremony. There was live music, dances, colorful costumes, Tibetan Tea ceremony and videos including two of the Dalai Lama, one when he received the Nobel Peace Award. There were taped and live statements of friendship and support from local and area citizens who have known and admired our Tibetan community over the years. Amnesty International was represented by Paljor Rabgey and Derek Warren as spokesperson.

For those who missed seeing this event and who wish to become involved in the struggle of the Tibetan people, the following information will be useful.

Over 1.2 million Tibetans (one out of six) have died as a result of the invasion and occupation of Tibet since 1949.

Tibet has been used for nuclear testing including tests to determine radiation tolerance by the people.

A peaceful nation that was ecologically and culturally stable, supporting a wealth of wildlife, is being destroyed by Chinese clear-cutting, militarization, radar stations and nuclear missile bases. The people of Tibet have no voice in the United Nations to tell the world of their plight.

You can help by writing to the Prime Minister of Canada, the Minister of External Affairs and your Member of Parliament to urge them to pressure China to stop the denial of fundamental human rights of the Tibetan people in Tibet, including their right to self-determination. You can also write to the UN Secretary General to demand that the UN resolution on Tibet be implemented and His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tibet's spiritual and political be allowed to address the General Assembly.

You can urge environmental organizations to address the environmental crisis in Tibet.

You may also help by giving a donation to continue the struggle. Cheques should be made out to: The Canadian Tibetan Association of Ontario, and mailed c/o Chautauqu' Arts P.O. Box 904, Lindsay Ont., K9V 5N3 (a chartable organization incorporated under the Ontario Corporation Act).

Jean Chretien, Prime Minister of Canada, Room 309-5, Central Block, Ottawa,

Ont., K1A 0A6.

Andre Quellete, Minister of External Affairs, Lester B. Pearson Bldg., 125 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ont., K1A 0G2.