Published by: World Tibet Network News Saturday, November 21, 1997

ICT, Washington, November 21, 1997. Congressman Christopher Cox today announced his plans to travel to Tibet in July 1998 -- the first official U.S. Congressional delegation to Tibet in more than five years. Rep. Cox, Chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, was denied entry to Tibet in March of this year when the National People's Congress officially notified him that his visit would be impossible. However, after an hour long meeting with the Dalai Lama in Washington this spring, Cox was determined to try again.

In discussions with Congressional leaders during last month's China-U.S. presidential summit, President Jiang Zemin tentatively agreed to a request by House Speaker Newt Gingrich to visit Tibet in August 1998. According to a November 21 press release issued by the House Policy Committee "this week, plans were firmed up for a two-visit schedule in 1998, with Representative Cox leading the way."

Rep. Cox will travel to Tibet with Rep. Doug Bereuter (R-NE), the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific. Rep. Cox will also make the second trip in August, this time joined by the Speaker. "These visits, together with our recent "Policy for Freedom" initiative, will help convey to the Communist Chinese government the depth and seriousness of American concern," Rep. Cox said.

The "Policy for Freedom" initiative, successfully shepherded through the House of Representatives by Rep. Cox, consists of 11 bills, each of which passed the House overwhelmingly during 1997. One of the bills provides for a special human rights monitor at the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu, the principal exit point for refugees from Tibet. Another resolution calls for the release of Tibetan prisoners of conscience and for negotiations between Beijing and the Dalai Lama or his representatives. Other bills dealt with Chinese Government-sponsored espionage in the United States, religious freedom and human rights.