Published by: World Tibet Network News Tuesday - October 7, 1997

"Seven Days for Tibet" Pressures President Clinton for Decisive Leadership

Washington, D.C. Oct 3 (ICT) -- Barely a week before the national premiere of the first of two upcoming Hollywood films on Tibet, Americans across the country are coming forward to demand leadership and action on behalf of the beleaguered Himalayan nation, now in its fifth decade under Chinese military rule.

This grassroots uprising is placing enormous pressure on President Clinton to take decisive steps to end the brutality and repression in Tibet. "We are frankly overhwhelmed by the response so far," said John Ackerly, Direcor of the International Campaign for Tibet, the Washington, D.C.-based organization coordinating the nationwide activities. "People keep asking 'Can Hollywood Save Tibet?' Judging by the response so far, it's making a big difference," he added.

Americans and Tibetan refugees in more than 100 communities in 34 states nationwide have declared the week of October 8-15 "Seven Days for Tibet," a week of education and protest for religious freedom and cultural survival in Tibet. Seven Days' goal is to compel President Clinton to honor a personal committment he made to the exiled Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama, to vigorously press the Tibetan cause during the official visit of Chinese Premier Jiang Zemin later this month, and demand that the Chinese government agree to negotiations with the Dalai Lama for a peaceful solution to the Tibetan conflict.

More than 100 events are scheduled to take place nationwide, including the distribution of Save Tibet Action Kits to moviegoers, candlelight vigils, college teach-ins, and prayer services.

"With the release of Seven Years in Tibet this week and Kundun in December, awareness and concern for Tibet will reach historic highs," said Lodi Gyari, President of the International Campaign for Tibet. "President Clinton must use this moment to secure tangible progress while Jiang is in Washington."

"Kundun," a biographical film about the Dalai Lama directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Melissa Mathison Ford, is scheduled for release in December. Earlier this year the Chinese government pressured the Disney Company, Kundun's producer, to shelve the picture and threatened economic reprisals if the film was released. Disney has so far stood firm.

"Kundun is another film Beijing doesn't want you to see," said Gyari, who recently viewed a rough cut of the movie. "It is a very powerful film, and I know that it too will strike a responsive chord within the American people."