World Tibet Network News Saturday, June 20, 1998

Mrs. Kunzang D. Yuthok

Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Paris, France

June 19, 1998

We are deeply saddened upon learning of the death of Mr. Gilles Blanchard due to an action taken in favor of Tibet. We offer our prayers and heartfelt condolences to his family.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in Exile does not approve of such drastic violent measures. Even during His visit to Paris earlier this week, His Holiness expressed His objection to such acts.

Although this reflects that the urgency of the situation inside Tibet is felt by Tibetans and friends alike, the campaign for justice for Tibet must be waged non-violently.

To preserve the unique cultural heritage of Tibet, His Holiness is seeking genuine self-rule and calls for the start of negotiations towards this end.

It is not the wish of the Tibetan people to cause suffering or pain for our friends. We sincerely hope that such actions will not be repeated and again request the governments of the world to make haste all efforts to realise negotiations between His Holiness and the Chinese government to peacefully resolve the Tibet issue.