Published by: World Tibet Network News, Friday, July 12, 1996

Sent on behalf of TSG Ireland

Tel +353 1 285 3443

Fax +353 1 285 1809

e.mail c/o: tibetsupport@gn.apc.org

The following bulletin gives detail of the commitment being made by the Irosh government during their term of EU presidency. We are encouraging TSGs to write to Dick Spring to congratulate him on this stand and to enquire what specific actions he is intending to implement. I am sure I do not need to remind you of the value of the initiative of the Irish government of attempting to facilitate EU action.

Write to:

Dick Spring, TD

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Iveagh House

80 St. Stephens House

Dublin 2

Ireland

---------------------

President of EU Council of Ministers Urges Dialogue

Mr. Dick Spring, the Tanaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) and Minister for Foreign Affairs in the Irish Government - and hence currently President of the EU Council of Ministers - has called for 'the early re-establishment of the dialogue between the Dalai Lama and the Chinese authorities'. Answering Opposition questions on 4th July 1996 regarding the Irish Government's plans on EU policy on Tibet during Ireland's current EU Presidency, Mr. Spring said:

"Protection of the human rights of Tibetans is a central concern of (Irish) Government policy. I have consistently raised this issue of human rights with the Chinese authorities in the past and I will continue to do so at every appropriate opportunity. I am very conscious of the problems which have been mentioned by the Deputies, i.e. human rights violations, immigration into Tibet of persons of Han Chinese origin, the question of religious freedom including the whereabouts of the Dalai Lama's choice as Panchen Lama.

"These issues have been raised by the European Union, specifically at the EU TroikaHuman Rights Dialogue Meeting which took place earlier this year in January; these matters will be actively pursued with the Chinese authorities during the Irish Presidency.

"As a priority the (Irish) Government wish to see the early re-establishment of the dialogue between the Dalai Lama and the Chinese authorities and I am prepared to do everything possible to encourage this."