World Tibet Network News Wesnesday, April 15, 1998

UNITED NATIONS, April 14 (Reuters)- Secretary-General Kofi Annan, following a visit by actor Richard Gere, on Tuesday urged six Tibetans on a hunger strike in New Delhi to end their one-month fast before time ran out.

The protesters began their fast on March 10 and have said they were prepared to die if the United Nations did not consider recommendations to resolve their dispute with China by appointing a special envoy and holding a plebiscite.

Gere has championed their cause, saying that China has committed "cultural genocide" since it swept into Tibet in 1950, putting an end to centuries of near-total autonomy. He did not meet Annan but saw Gillian Sorensen, an assistant secretary-general, when he came to the United Nations on Monday.

"While recognizing that meeting their specific demands rests within the sole competence of member states, the secretary-general acknowledges that this nonviolent action is a reflection of their personal commitment," U.N. spokesman Fred Eckhard said.

"At the same time, he is deeply concerned for their well-being and appeals to them, on humanitarian grounds, to discontinue the strike so as not to further jeopardize their health," he said.

The Tibet issue is a touchy one at the United Nations as China is a permanent member of the 15-seat Security Council and would oppose strongly any concrete U.N. action as interference in its internal affairs.

Gere last month traveled to New Delhi to voice the demands of the hunger strikers, exiled in India and ranging from 28 to 70 years of age. He said the six, existing on water with some lemon juice, represented six millions Tibetans around the world.

In Geneva, Mary Robinson, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, said last week she was gong to China in September and wanted to visit Tibet then. She said the hunger-strikers had "displayed considerable courage" in bringing the issue to the attention of the international community.

However, she said that "I hope they will now find the additional courage needed to end the fast and preserve their lives."