World Tibet Network News Saturday, June 13, 1998

THE KASHAG

CENTRAL TIBETAN ADMINISTRATION

DHARAMSALA

INDIA

It is my pleasure to extend the warm greetings of the Tibetan people to artists and fans gathered in Washington, DC for the third Tibetan Freedom Concert being held from June 13 to 14, 1998.

Over the years we have been encouraged by the growing support for the just cause of the Tibetan people among the American public. Events like the Tibetan Freedom Concert and the National Day of Action for Tibet scheduled for June 15 contribute in generating interest in the Tibetan issue among the general public. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has put it succinctly when he said that he considered Tibet supporters as being "pro-justice" rather than "pro-Tibet" or "anti-China".

If one were to talk about the past, historically Tibet was a separate nation. However, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government-in-Exile believe that it is in everyone's interest to be dealing with the future rather than with the past. We continue to be committed to a non-violent negotiated solution to the Tibetan problem based on His Holiness' Middle Way approach.

I hope the Tibetan Freedom Concert and the National Day of Action for Tibet will make the leadership both in the United States and in China realise the urgency of encouraging an early solution to the Tibetan problem. These events are of even greater significance because they take place on the eve of President Clinton's historic visit to Beijing and meeting with President Jiang Zemin of the People's Republic of China. I would like to express the gratitude of the Tibetan people and the Central Tibetan Administration to everyone involved in organising the two events.

(Sonam Topgyal)

Chairman of the Kashag (Tibetan Cabinet)