World Tibet Network News Friday, June 26, 1998

From International Campaign for Tibet

Washington, June 26, 1998. The International Campaign for Tibet regrets a number of misquotes in Agence France Presse wires stories from Beijing. Staff members of the International Campaign for Tibet are in Beijing to urge the U.S. delegation to strongly raise Tibetan issues, to monitor the Summit talks and to provide information about Tibet to reporters. ICT has no plans to "leaflet" during the Summit but has provided a number ofWestern journalists with information about attempts to initiate dialogue between Beijing and the Dalai Lama and about prominent Tibetan prisoners of conscience.

When asked by the AFP reporter if we intended to leaflet at press briefing, ICT replied that we did not have any intention on "leafleting," but would have background materials for journalists interested in Tibet.ICT does not have any information suggesting that Ngawang Choephel may be released as a result of the Summit talks. However we know that his and other cases have been raised during the summit process and will be raised by the Administration during the summit. According to an unnamed Chinese government source, quoted in the South China Morning Post, prisoner releases are possible as a result of the Summit. Other prominent Tibetan prisoners of conscience which may be part of Summit talks include Gedhun Choekyi Nyima (the Panchen Lama), Chadrel Rimpoche, Ngawang Sangdrol, Jigme Sangpo and Phuntsog Nyidron. Prior to leaving Washington, DC the International Campaign for Tibet informed the U.S. Department of State about our intention to be here for the Summit. ICT has not contacted the U.S. Embassy in Beij

ing. A Tibetan - American member of ICT was going to join the group in Beijing but at the last minutecould not come.