For Immediate Release Contact Information:

June 4, 1997 Janice Mantell, ICLT Executive Director

Robert J. Rosoff, Esq., ICLT Legal Director

Tel: (510) 486-0588 / Fax: (510) 548-3785

Berkeley, June 4 1997: In last night's session, the Berkeley, California City Council passed legislation that prohibits Berkeley from doing business with companies and individuals involved in Tibet. Through economic pressure, the legislation is intended to promote self-determination for Tibet, and to end human rights abuse by the Chinese government. It is the first Tibetan "selective purchasing" legislation in the world, and an important step toward self-determination for the Tibetan people.

The legislation was drafted by the International Committee of Lawyers for Tibet (ICLT), a non-profit organization based in Berkeley. It was by sponsored by Berkeley Council Members Dona Spring and Kriss Worthington. The legislation provides that Berkeley will not (1) purchase commodities produced in Tibet, or (2) enter into contracts with companies or individuals doing business in Tibet. The Tibetan Government-In-Exile has stated that development in Tibet should be small-scale, decentralized initiatives controlled by Tibetans. Projects that benefit Tibet can still be approved by the Tibetan Government-In-Exile.

"This is historic legislation," stated Robert J. Rosoff, Esq., ICLT Legal Director. "Over one million Tibetans have died as a result of nearly 50 years of Chinese occupation, and Tibetans continue to be imprisoned and sometimes tortured for advocating self-determination. This legislation is a powerful way for citizens to promote human rights through responsible business practices." The Berkeley legislation is the start of a nation-wide campaign by ICLT to pass similar legislation throughout the United States.

Selective purchasing legislation first became popular in the United States during the 1970's and helped to end apartheid in South Africa. It is currently being used, on federal, state, and local levels, in the U.S. to promote democracy in Burma.

This legislation was passed one week before His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the spiritual and political leader of Tibet and a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, arrives in the Bay Area. He will attend a Peacemaking Conference, and speak at a benefit dinner hosted by ICLT on June 11th at the Sheraton Palace Hotel in San Francisco.

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INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF LAWYERS FOR TIBET

2288 Fulton Street, Suite 312, Berkeley, CA 94704

Tel: (510) 486-0588 / Fax: (510) 548-3785 / e-mail: iclt@igc.org