Date: Wed, 2 Jul 1997 16:37:15 -0500

From: "Bhuchung K. Tsering"

To: Multiple recipients of list TSG-L

DEPARTMENT OF STATE'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ABROAD HOLDS

SECOND MEETING

Washington, D.C. July 2, 1997 - The 20-member Advisory Committee on Religious Freedom Abroad of the State Department held its second meeting today. In addition to the Committee members and their chair Assistant Secretary John Shattuck, Undersecretary Tom Pickering, Undersecretary Tim Wirth, Deputy Assistant Secretary Gare Smith, Deputy Assistant Secretary Steve Coffey, and Coordinator Alexandra Arriaga, were present. ICT's Mary Beth Markey and Bhucchung K. Tsering were among representatives of NGOs involved with the issue of religious freedom who were invited to the meeting.

The meeting was convened to develop more effective means to promote religious freedom throughout the world. The Committee heard from experts, including Dr. Paul Marshall from the Institute of Christian Studies in Toronto; Dr. Doug Johnston from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Washington, D.C., etc. who discussed reports of persecution, their causes and the recommendations to resolve the issue. Dr. Elliot Sperling, a scholar on Tibetan studies and a member of the Committee, also spoke.

During the open forum, ICT's Bhuchung Tsering updated the committee on the situation of the religious rights of the Tibetan people and urged for a more forceful support from the United States Administration.

The Committee was formed in February this year and had its first meeting the same month. The issue of Tibetan Buddhists figured greatly in the discussions. Secretary John Shattuck, in his introductory remarks, referred to the April 1997 visit by the Dalai Lama to the State Department and his meeting with Secretary Albright as "a very significant event."

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The International Campaign for Tibet

1825 K St. N.W, Suite 520

Washington, D.C. 20006

Phone: +1 (202) 785-1515 / Fax: +1 (202) 785-4343

E-mail: ict@peacenet.org / Internet: http://www.peacenet.org/ict

Non-profit, Tibet advocacy group

"Knowing how to eat. Why to eat and where to eat and what to eat. And with whom to eat. And for whom..."

- Cambodian monk, Maha Ghosananda, on "What does being a Buddhist mean to you?" in Tricycle.

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