New Delhi, June 29, 1997

Dear Friends,

This is in continuation with the discussions our friends Dr. Anand Kumar had with you in Brussels the other day. As suggested by you, I'm sending an outline of our programme for 2nd October (Mahatma Gandhi's Birthday). I also had a discussion with Prof. S. Rimpoche, Chairman of the Tibetan Parliament in exile. We have already informed you about the programme that we undertook last year by sending an appeal to the peoples and governments of the world simultaneously through the Embassies in Delhi. The response that we received from majority of the Embassies was very heartening. I am enclosing some parts of the appeal that we issued.

With regard to the third step we propose to organise a Global Satyagraha on the Indo-Tibetan border. This is to request you to sending your representatives of Radical Party from various countries to take part in the Satyagraha. They are expected to arrive in India at least a week before. We will take care of their hospitality on arrival. The programme will continue for a week in three batches from 2nd October 1997. Details are being worked out by a special committee formed of details from time to time.

As per the reguliement of the Satyagraha, a Memorandum will be sent to the government of China directly as well as through their Embassy in New Delhi at least 45 days before the Satyagraha.

We would welcome suggestions from you to make this programme a success, you will be happy to hear that there is a tremendous response for this programme in India.

With warm greetings and regards

MS. NIRMALA DESHPANDE

SECOND PAGE

AKHIL BHARAT RACHANATMAK SAMAJ, a voluntary organisation with mass base in India, is carrying forward the mission of Mahatma Gandhi in bringing about a chance in society through nonviolent means; for harmony between different sections of society and strengthening the force of peace, by trying to find out nonviolent solutions for various problems; for establishment of peace and justice and also to render moral support to all peaceful and nonviolent struggles against injustice and oppression in various parts of the world. With these objectives we have undertaken programmes involving millions of people. We have also taken initiative to establish friendly relations between our immediate neighbours through people-to-people contact.

The struggle of the Tibetan people under the leadership of H.H. Dalai Lama against the present Chinese rule is one of the unique and remarkably peaceful and nonviolent struggle of our times. As a true follower of Lord Buddha, H.H. the Dalai Lama is one of the greatest living symbols of nonviolence. Akhil Bharat Rachanatmak Samaj salutes the Dalai Lama and his followers for carrying on the nonviolent struggle.

To strengthen the forces of nonviolence, it is imperative to see the movement under the leader ship of H.H. for the liberation and well-being of Tibetans as well as the Chinese people against oppressive rule does succeed. We feel that the movement of Mahatma Gandhi for the liberation will remain unfulfilled with the oppressed people anywhere in the world, including our next door neighbour, Tibet, achieve "Swaraj" (self rule).

With this objective, the ABRS has taken up an action programme as under:

First step: To express its solidarity and support to the Tibetan struggle ABRS organised special prayer meetings on three different occasions: 2nd October 1995 (Mahatma Gandhi's birthday), 25th December '95 (Christmas), 3rd May '96 Lord Buddha's birthday.

Hundreds of prayer meetings were held simultaneously in different parts of India and in many other countries which had evoked enthusiastic response.

Second step: To awaken world public opinion to persuade the present rulers of China to see reason, we had organised a nonviolent action programme on 2nd October '96 in New Delhi. A memorandum was presented at 11 AM at the embassies by batches of 11 members, preceded by prayers and meditation. The memorandum consisted of:

1. An appeal to the Chinese Authorities to initiate without precondition a dialogue with H.H. the Dalai Lama to find an amicable solution to the Tibetan problem.

2. To restore the right of the Tibetans to protect their religious, cultural and spiritual way of life.

3. To respect human rights, to save the environment and stop the population transfer forthwith.

Third step: ABRS will initiate a global Satyagraha inside Tibet consisting of members belonging to various nations committed to nonviolence.