6. Tibetan Government in Exile appreciates European Parliament support

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Immediate ReleaseContact:

Kunzang D. Yuthok Wangpo Bashi +33-1-46-56-54-53

Tibetan Government in Exile appreciates European Parliament support Position of

Dalai Lama and Tibetan Government remains unchanged

November 2, 2000 (Paris) - On October 31st, the AFP reported that the European

Parliament delegation had devoted a large portion of their discussions on the

issue of human rights and Tibet with Li Peng and other Chinese officials.

The emphasis placed on the issue of Tibet by the European Parliament delegation

with the Chinese officials attests to the genuine concern and support by the

European Parliament for the problem of Tibet for which the Tibetan Government in

Exile is grateful.

Over the years, the European Parliament has expressed their concern for the

Tibetan people by regularly raising them with Chinese officials whether in China

or in Europe. Earlier this year, the European Parliament officially recognised

the formation of the "Tibet Intergroup". The European Parliament also passed a

resolution calling for the Member Governments to consider recognising the

Tibetan Government in Exile as the legitimate representative of Tibet, if within

three years, an agreement on a new status for Tibet has not been signed by the

Beijing authorities and the Tibetan Government in Exile.

We wish to clarify that the position of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the

Tibetan Government in Exile remains unchanged. His Holiness is not seeking

independence but genuine autonomy through negotiations with the Chinese

Government. His Holiness has emphasised repeatedly that the issue of Tibet

concerns the welfare and rights of the six million Tibetans and is not about his

personal status. His Holiness has also made it clear that once a mutually

agreeable solution is found, he will not hold any political position in Tibet.

As the human rights situation in Tibet continues to deteriorate there is a

growing sense of despair and frustration amongst the Tibetans in Tibet and

exile. We welcome the help of the international community to facilitate dialogue

to achieve a peaceful solution to the situation in Tibet.