International Campaign for Tibet Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C., December 19 1996 -- Parliamentarians from different parts of the world will gather in Washington, D.C. from April 22 to 23, 1997 to discuss a unified position on Tibet and to adopt a multilateral strategy.

This is the third such convention, the first two having been held in New Delhi in 1994 and Vilnius, Lithuania, in 1995.

"The task before the parliamentarians at the convention will be to coalesce around a strategy that will strengthen our governments' Tibet policy," writes Rep. Benjamin Gilman, Chairman of the House Committee on International Relations and co-chair of the Convention's Host Committee, in his letter of invitation to the parliamentarians.

This convention will bring together parliamentarians from Asia, Latin America, Africa, Europe, Canada and the United States who will discuss how their respective governments can adopt a more proactive position on the issue of Tibet. The Dalai Lama has been invited to address the Convention.

"This Convention comes at a time when the Chinese authorities are renewing repression in Tibet," said Lodi Gyari, President of the International Campaign for Tibet which is the main Sponsor. "A concerted international response to China's policies in Tibet is necessary for real and lasting positive changes in Tibet," Gyari added.

The 1994 meeting of parliamentarians had representatives from 25 countries and issued a 10-point action plan for Tibet. The 1995 meeting in Vilnius had delegates from 21 parliaments and resolved to organize hearings on the legitimacy of China's claim over Tibet, as well as to send parliamentary fact-finding missions to Tibet, China and India.