Published by: World Tibet Network News Thursday, January 15, 1998

STRASBOURG, France, Jan 15 (AFP) - The European Parliament on Thursday called for the appointment of a special European Union representative for Tibet.

The official would be "responsible for doing everything possible to carry out the Union's demands as regards the civil and political rights situation in Tibet," it said in a statement.

The appointment would have to be made by the European Council and Commission.

The Chinese government last month rejected plans to hold a referendum on self-determination for Tibetans.