Published by: World Tibet Network News, 96/06/05 23:00 GMT
Forwarded by Kunzang Yuthok, TRC
[The Tibet NGO Delegation has forwarded the attached statement which was posted on the Habitat Forum grounds today. CS]
Tibet of China (handwritten on the top of the page)
STATEMENT
Istanbul, June 5, 1996
I. We, the non-governmental organizations of China, attach great importance to Habitat II Conference. We sincerely hope that the Conference will be a great success, further promote the sustainable development of human settlements. For this purpose, we will make every effort to play an active role and cooperate with other participating NGOs.
II. The Habitat II Conference is an UN-organized international conference, while NGO Forum is a part of the event. Therefore, all participants including those from NGOs should observe the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and other UN provisions and conduct activities on the issues strictly related to human settlements. The Habitat II Conference and the NGo Forum should not become the venue for politically motivated activities. However, it is to our great regret that a few NGOs have organized discussions on some irrelevant issues, such as the so-called "situation in the occupied Tibet". This activity has been against the purposes of Habitat II and violated its principles, seriously poisoned the atmosphere of the Conference and imposed a negative impact on its success. Therefore, we are strongly against this kind of activities.
III. It is well-known to all that Tibet is an inalienable part of China. There is no country in the world recognizing the so-called "independent status" of Tibet. However, the exiled Dalai Lama, in name of NGOs and with the support of some foreign forces attempt to undertake discussions on the issue of Tibet during Habitat II Conference. It is obvious that their purpose is to undermine China's sovereignty and its territorial integrity and separate Tibet from China. All they have done, we believe, is in vain and will not be accepted by all the Chinese people including the Tibetan compatriots.
Signed: Chinese Society for Sustainable Development
All China Women's Federation
China Housing Finance Committee
