The Tibet-Intergroup

59th Tibet Intergroup Meeting

Wednesday, 14 March 2007

Thomas Mann introduced Ms Claude Levenson, who had already visited the European Parliament and spoken to the Tibet Intergroup in 2000. She was the first Person to write an official biography of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in French. She is a journalist and writes regularly in "Le Monde" and other newspapers.

Mrs Levenson said that we do not hear a great deal about Tibet in the media, and also that journalists can only practice their profession with difficulty in China today; one can obtain permission to visit Tibet, but with a guide and/or interpreter at all times. She herself had been to Tibet many times, but last September was banned from entering China for five years. She was not even informed through diplomatic sources.

When she first went to Lhassa in 1984 there were 50,0000 Tibetans living there and about 2 - 3,000 Chinese. When she returned last year it was completely different - everyone was Chinese, except for a small Tibetan community living in the Jokhang area. There is restriction on building. Historical buildings had been destroyed, even those on World Heritage sites. 6,000 Tibetan Buddhist monasteries were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. Only a handful have been rebuilt for tourist purposes.

According to Chinese theory, Tibet has been part of China for many centuries, but this is open to interpretation. Tibet has in fact always strived to retain its independence. Mrs Levenson had recently met His Holiness and talked about Tibet. His Holiness recognises that many Tibetans are in favour of independence, although some look for a happy medium.

The train between Beijing and Lahssa brings in 5 - 6,000 migrants every year (not tourists). Those Chinese who arrive set up shops in Lhassa and other parts of Tibet. The idea of the railway came from Mao Tse Tung, who wanted to bring Tibet under the Chinese yoke. China needs natural resources and is expanding exploitation in Tibet for its mineral and other resources.

The European Parliament has already adopted 20 Resolutions on the Tibetan issue, but the Chinese seem to ignore them. It is hight time to remind China of the historical truth. Den Xiao Ping said that we shoul "seek the truth in facts".

Major Political Actions of the Tibet Intergroup

Furthering the adoption of resolutions on Tibet and China by the European Parliament

Maintaining contact with other international organizations such as the European Commission, the Council and the United Nations and coordinated work with governmental Tibet groups in other countries.

Direct contact with the Tibetan Government in Exile and its Representatives in Europe as well as with important NGOs throughout the world.

Since 1999, the Tibet Intergroup has organized more than 49 meetings, mainly during the Plenary sessions of the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Guests have included:

• October 2005 - Members of the Assembly of Tibetan Peoples deputies.
• January 2004 - Mme. Dr. Paula Dobriansky, US Under-Secretary for Global Affairs and Tibet Special Coordinator.
• M. Kelsang Gyaltsen, envoy of His Holiness for the EU
• The Tibetan NunNgawang Snagdrol - This Tibet Intergroup has twice proposed her nomination for the Sacharow Prize
• Various Contacts  with Representatives of the EU-Coordination office of Tibet in Brussels and other Representatives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Europe
• Several meetings with Mme. Tsering Jampa from ICT (International Campaign of Tibet) who supports actively the Tibet Intergroup
• M. Tenzin D. Sewo, President, Tibetan Youth Association in Europe
• Mme. Claude B. Levenson, Journalist and  Author
• M. Takna Jigme Sangpo, Political Prisoner
• M. Jean-Paul Ribes, President CSPT France
• M. Yeshe Topden, President of Gu Chu Sum Movement
• M. Joseph Serra, European Institute for Tibetan Buddhisme
• M. Paul Syska, Tibetishes Zentrum Hamburg e.V.
• Mme. Inge Reuter, Tibet Initiative Deutchland
• M. Michel Jermann, Club Tibet Strasbourg
• M. Richard Cazenave député à l'Assemblé nationale, France
• Khenpo Chimed, Monastery Management and Development Committee, Nepal
• March 1997 - Richard Gere, actor, EP in Brussels

March 2007

Richard Gere calls upon Angela Merkel to plead the Tibetan cause

The actor Richard Gere has called upon the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, to use her influence at the head of the European Union to plead His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s cause in Beijing.

“His Holiness the Dalai Lama has made it known that he would be ready to go to China. Angela Merkel has already met His Holiness and appreciates his integrity. She should intervene with the Chinese President Hu Jintao in favour of such a visit”, said the actor recently in the Berlin newspaper “Tagesspiegel”

His Holiness the Dalai Lama accepts the post of Professor Emeritus in the United States

His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been named Professor Emeritus at the Emory University of Atlanta, United States of America, a title that he has accepted for the first time from an American University. Emory University is regarded as one of the principal centres for the study of the Tibetan philosophy and religion in the West.

“I firmly believe that education is an indispensable tool for the growth of the human being and the creation of a just and peaceful society, and I am delighted to bring my small contribution through this post,” His Holiness added. His agreement entails regular visits to Emory University and student exchanges with Dharmsala in the north of India, the seat of the Tibetan government in exile.

2007

Conference Declaration – DRAFT

Brussels, 8 November 2007

On the Tibetan Environment

Joint Motion for a Resolution

Wednesday, 14 February 2007

European Parliament resolution on the dialogue between the Chinese Government and Envoys of the Dalai Lama