Published by: World Tibet Network News, 96/06/04 23:00 GMT

Submitted by Kunzang Yuthok (TRC) and Eva Herzer (ICLT)

Istanbul, June 4:

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHT: Today, the 7th anniversary of the Tinnanmen Square massacre, the Tibet Delegation joined a procession and demonstration of the Asian / Pacific Caucus. While the Asian/ Pacific Caucus' focus was to "Stop Forced Evictions," we commemorated the massacre with a 4ft diameter floral wreath and a statement read by Mr. Tseten Norbu, President, Tibetan Youth Congress of Dharamsala. The Tibet Delegation was joined by Mr. Alptekin, leader of Eastern Turkistan movement. There was a fair number of press photographers many of whom focused on the Tibet Delegation. We did not recognise major media outlets nor have we seen them here at the Forum.

CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS: The Tibet Delegation successfully lobbied the Women's Caucus on language concerning two issues, the preservation of culture and foreign occupation. Negotiations on the document have barely started.

We have been accepted by the IFG as a Tibet Caucus. This will hopefully give us the opportunity to speak from the NGO microphone at the working group dealing with the Habitat Agenda. The Tibet Caucus has also submitted a statement to the working group dealing with the Istanbul Paper. We have also successfully lobbied the Human Rights Caucus to include concerns for people living under foreign occupation within their submission to this same body.

The Tibet solidarity ribbons are a big hit and are now seen commonly on the ground. Several US Delegation members wear them proudly and we are close to running out.

DELEGATION: John Ackerly (ICT) and Eva Herzer (ICLT) arrived June 3. We are now awaiting arrival of our last two members from India.