NORGGA SAMIID RIIKKASEARVI

Norwegian Saami Association

Foreign Minister Bj=F8rn Tore Godal Guovdageaidnu 7th April 1997

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Box 8114 Dep

N-0032 OSLO

THE TIBETAN SITUATION - NORWAY'S POLICY

Norgga S=E1miid Riikkasearvi/Norwegian Saami Association (NSR) is very concerned about the Tibetan situation. The issue was discussed at NSR's Annual Congress 20.- 22. March 1997. The Congress made the following resolution:

"Tibet is an occupied country and has been so since China invaded in 1949-1950. Since then the Chinese have exerted a continuously harder supression of the Tibetans. China's presence in Tibet is possible only through the use of military force, and the political supression is so strong that in reality it could be called a cultural genocide. The colonial power exploits Tibet for her rich natural resources, and the massive immigration of Han Chinese make Tibetans a minority in their own country.

The Norwegian Saami Association gives their full support to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and to the Tibetans' struggle for their native land. We demand that Norwegian authorities put pressure on China to initiate negotiations between the Tibetan exile government and Chinese authorities with the explicit purpose of restoring Tibetan rule in Tibet.

As its main policy, Norway should recognize Tibet as an occupied country and demand immediate termination of all political, social and cultural supression of Tibetans and of violations of human rights in Tibet.

The Norwegian Saami Association is particularly worried for the fate of the 11th Panchen Lama recognized by H.H. the Dalai Lama. We are shocked that the Chinese authorities can make a six year old boy a political prisoner in order to continue their strong repression of religion in Tibet."

NSR hopes that Norway pays attention to our statement, and does everything possible so Tibet in the future again can be a free country.

With regards,

Sven-Roald Nyst=F8

President

Copies: The Tibetan Government in exile, Dharamsala

The Saami Parliament, Norway

The Chinese Embassy in Norway

The Tibetan Support Group in the Norwegian Parliament

The Norwegian Support Group/Den norske tibetkomite