The Tibet Post International Online-newspaper

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I n t e r n a t i o n a l

Rs.5Vol. 01, Issue 47, 15 August 2011

Last Official Press Conference

www.thetibetpost.com

“Victory Will Be Ours:" New Tibetan LeaderLobsang Sangay

Dharamshala: Dr. Lobsang Sangay was sworninto office Monday, 8th August as the new KalonTripa, or political leader, of the Central TibetanAdministration. The ceremony took place amidthousands of spectators at the main temple in theHimalayan town of McLeod Ganj.His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Dr. Lobsang Sangay,and outgoing Kalon Tripa Prof. SamdhongRinpoche all addressed the audience at theceremony, which started at 8:30 on Monday.Sangay, a 43-year old Harvard scholar, took theoath of office at exactly 9:09:09, as the numbernine is associated with longevity in Tibetantradition.Born in exile in Darjeeling, India, Sangay attendedDelhi University and went on to study law in theUnited States at Harvard University. After earninghis doctorate, Sangay took a teaching fellowshipin the East Asian Legal Studies Program at Harvard.Sangay has spent his whole life outside of Tibet.Despite this, he said, "Tibet is in my heart eachand every day."Sangay's assumption of this responsibility isespecially significant because he is the first leaderto take charge of the government since HisHoliness the Dalai Lama announced therenunciation of his political power earlier this year.Democratic leadershipHis Holiness stepped down of his own choice,motivated by the belief that the Tibetan

Dr. Lobsang Sangay (L) the new political leader of Tibet, stands next to Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness theDalai Lama as he greets the crowd at his swearing-in ceremony at the Tsuglakhang, the main Tibetan Temple in

Dharmsala, India, 8th August 2011. Photo: TPI

China’s Panchen Visits Eastern Tibet

Kalon Tripa responding to the questions being askedby Tibetan journalist at the hall of new Kashag

building, Dharamshala, India on 3rd August 2011.Photo: TPI

By Colleen McKown, The Tibet Post

Dharamshala: - The Chinese-appointed PanchenLama, Gyaltsen Norbu, arrived today in the townof Sangchu county of Amdho, eastern Tibet (Ch:Xiahe in the Gansu province). Labrang Monastery,an important site in Tibetan Buddhism, is locatedin Sangchu. According to a report by the NewYork Times, the "skeptical crowd" of residents wasforced to cheerfully welcome him with prayer flagsand senior lamas made to welcome him at areception hall.Authorities beefed up security in the area andforced foreign tourists to leave Sangchu inpreparation for the arrival of the Chinese Panchen

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Protests in East Turkistan

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Dharamshala: On 2 August, Kunsang Choegyal,a 25-year old Tibetan man from Jordha County inEast Tibet, was arrested. His father's name isNorgyal and his mother's name is Kunsang Palmo.

China Arrests a CD Seller in Tibet



Dharamshala: In Chinese-ruled Xinjiang (EastTurkistan), at least 14 people have been killed inviolence between Uyghurs and Chinese police inKashgar city.Chinese state controlled media claimed that at leastsix people were killed on July 30 when Uyghur

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New TibetanSettlement Officer

in DharamsalaPage 05...

US Ambassadorto China AnswersQuestions on Tibet

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Models of the Great Potala Palaceof Tibet Released

Dharamshala: - On 3 August, in the New Hall of theTibetan Library, three models of the Potala Palacewere released by Kalon Tripa Samdhong Rinpoche.Lodi Sangpo, a Tibetan artist from New Delhi,managed the construction of the three-dimensionalmodels, which are each 25 kg and made from whitecedar wood and mud. Sangpo will offer one modelto His Holiness the Dalai Lama, one to NamgyalMonastery, and one to the Kashag, the cabinet ofCentral Tibetan Administration.Construction began in 2005; at that time, Sangpo

The political leader of Tibetans, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche on 3rd August 2011 opening an exhibition about thenew Potala model which being designed by well-known Tibetan artist Lodoe Sangpo and his team in past recent

years, Dharamshala, India. Photo: TPI


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Dharamshala: - According to a report by theEconomic Times, India will build three strategicrail lines close to the Chinese occupied Tibetborder. A government report has said that the threelines will link the Indian state of Assam withArunachal Pradesh.One line will run from Assam to Tawang, an Indianmilitary base that borders Bhutan and Tibet. Atpresent, the only way to reach Tawang is by


Dharamshala: Wednesday, August 3, Kalon TripaProfessor Samdhong Rinpche gave his last pressconference at the New Cabinet Building of theCentral Tibetan Administration. The new Kalon


Building Railways to Tibet Border


By Colleen McKown and Sangay Dorjee,The Tibet Post

Huge amount of Chinese military presence in Lhasa,the capital of Tibet. Photo: TPI/File

Administration should be ruled democratically. Hebelieved that an elected leader, rather than aspiritual figure, should serve as the head of thegovernment.In his address to the audience, His Holiness theDalai Lama said, "Today is the most important dayin the last 2,000 years."

His Holiness spoke about the need for Tibet tokeep up with the times, saying that many thingshave changed in the world during the last century."During my time as leader, we have changed andbecome completely and fully democratic. We'vedone this even in our situation as refugees."


consulted Kalon Tripa Professor SamdhongRinpoche, the Chairman, Vice Chairman, andDeputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament, HisHoliness the Gyalwa Karmapa, and Sakya GongmaRinpoche. He also presented the plan to HisHoliness the Dalai Lama.Sangpo said that he made the model because overthe past 50 years Tibetans have become dispersedaround the world."They live in different cultures with different

CHinese and Indian troops at the Indo-Tibet Borders.Photo: File

Labrang Monastery, Amdho Province, eastern Tibet.Photo: File

The Tibet Post2 TPI INTERVIEWS AND RECAP15 August, 2011 Dharamsala

Gary Locke, US Ambassadorto China Answers Questions

on Tibet Article by Central Tibetan Administration Official Media:

Tibet Net

Dharamshala: The US Senateconfirmed former Commerce SecretaryGary Locke as Ambassador to China on27 July 2011. Excerpts from responsegiven by the Ambassador to questionsposed to him by Senators in connectionwith the confirmation hearing follows:Question: Tibetans have been enduringan intensifying crackdown since March2008, exemplified by the crisis at Kirtimonastery in Sichuan province. Lastmonth, the monastery was forcibly takenover by security forces; 25 monksremain in detention; 300 other monkshave been taken away for "patrioticeducation"; and two laypeople werekilled by security forces. Will youcommit to travel to Tibetan areas,including beyond Lhasa, to seekaccurate information in these closed-off areas, and to advocate for thereligious, cultural and human rights ofTibetans?Answer: The Department of State hasurged China to relax restrictions onmovements of U.S. governmentofficials, journalists, and Tibetanpilgrims to and from Tibetan regions.Travel to Tibetan areas, includingoutside of Lhasa, is an important priorityfor our Embassy in Beijing, and, ifconfirmed, I will continue to press tohave an opportunity to do so.Question: Will you continue efforts toestablish a US consulate in Lhasa,which was established by the StateDepartment as a priority in 2008?Answer: The United States and Chinacurrently have six diplomatic posts inthe other's country. Future postopenings are subject to hostgovernment agreement, per the ViennaConvention on Consular Relations andour bilateral agreement with China.The Department sent diplomatic notesin 2008, expressing reciprocal interestin expanding U.S. diplomatic presencein China, with Lhasa at the top of theU.S. list. To date, the Chinese have notresponded.The Department remains committed topursuing a post in Lhasa as a priority,and if confirmed I will continue to workon this objective.Question: Will you work with theSpecial Coordinator for Tibetan Issuesand her office to ensure that US policyand communications to the Chinesegovernment are consistent and respectthe long-standing two track US policyof (1) supporting dialogue between the

US Ambassador to China nominee Gary Locke testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington,Thursday, May 26, 2011, before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on his

nomination/Associated Press Photo

Sangay Holds first Press Conferenceas Tibetan Political Leader

Dr. Lobsang Sangay, the political leader of Tibetan Administration responding to thejournalists during a press conference which being held at the press hall of new Tibetan

cabinet building, Dharamshala, India on 8th August 2011. Photo: TPI


Dharamshala: Following hisswearing-in ceremony in DharamshalaMonday, August 8, new Tibetanpolitical leader Dr. Lobsang Sangayspoke with the press about his newrole as the leader of the Tibetanpeople, future relations with China,and the policies he plans toimplement.On political leadershipAcknowledging that it is a big changeto go from working in the UnitedStates at Harvard University to takingover the former political role of HisHoliness the Dalai Lama, one reporterasked Sangay how he felt about hisnew role.In reply, Sangay said that he does notintend to fill in the shoes of HisHoliness the Dalai Lama, nor does hethink that it is possible."My responsibility, rather, is to fulfillhis vision in establishing a secular,democratic society and live up to hisexpectation that Tibetan people standon their own feet...so that we canstrengthen and sustain our movementover a long period of time until HisHoliness returns to Tibet and ourfreedom is restored for the Tibetanpeople," he said.Sangay said that while he is excitedabout his new post, he knows therewill be challenges ahead. It sobers him,he said, to realize that he will receivenews every day about arrest, torture,and murder."It's a struggle. It's a difficult one. It'sabout people without their ownhomeland and people back home inTibet, brave men and women on adaily basis. They are struggling andtrying to resist a very powerfulsystem that's very oppressive."Drawing on his own family'sexperiences, he said the Tibetan storyhas been a painful one. Several of hisfamily members died on the journeyto India, and others were killed orwounded fighting the Chinese army."This story is the story of all theTibetans. They have lost so much.They have sacrificed so much with thehope that one day, we will return toour homeland with freedom," he said.

Chinese government and the Dalai Lamaand his representatives; and (2)supporting efforts to preserve theunique cultural, religious and linguisticheritage of the Tibetan people?Answer: If confirmed, I will work closelywith the Special Coordinator for TibetanIssues and her office to ensure thatTibetan issues are raised frequently andcandidly with China's leaders. TheDepartment of State is deeplyconcerned by the human rightssituation in Tibetan areas and by thelack of progress during nine rounds oftalks between the Chinese Governmentand the Dalai Lama's representatives. Ifconfirmed, in consultation with theSpecial Coordinator, I will supportfurther dialogue between China and therepresentatives of the Dalai Lama toresolve concerns and differences,including the preservation of thereligious, linguistic and cultural identityof the Tibetan people.Question: I am troubled with the across-the-board restrictions and policy ofselective access that China has appliedto travel within China by U.S. diplomatsand visiting US. Chinese officials havethe ability to travel anywhere they wantin the U.S., and have the freedom toengage in a broad range of Chinesecultural promotion activities onAmerican soil.Will you push for greater freedom ofmovement for U.S. diplomats in China,including travel to "sensitive" areassuch as Tibetan areas and EastTurkestan?Answer: I will continue to advocate forgreater freedom of movement for U.S.diplomats everywhere in China. TheUnited States can only generateaccurate information on developmentsin China by traveling frequently to allparts of the country and engaging withthe people there. With the notable andunfortunate exception of Tibet and someTibetan areas at "sensitive" times,Embassy officers generally face fewrestrictions on travel within China.However, they are generally unable tomeet with provincial and local Chineseofficials or institutions (includinguniversities) unless they obtainapproval from the Foreign Ministry andits local offices. U.S. diplomatsregularly visit the Xinjiang UighurAutonomous Region and Tibetan areasoutside of the Tibet AutonomousRegion to advance the full range of U.S.

interests in those areas - particularly thesafety and welfare of U.S. Citizens.Chargé d'Affaires Robert Wang visitedXinjiang in May. None of these visitswere officially approved, and hence U.S.Diplomats could not engage withprovincial and local officials oruniversities during their visits.Travel to the Tibet Autonomous Regionis restricted by the Chinesegovernment, and our official visits areapproved on a case-by-case basis andthen only rarely. Although then -Ambassador Huntsmanwas allowed totravel there in September 2010, manyother requests have been denied. Visitsto Tibetan areas of Sichuan are oftendenied on the ground by local policealthough the area is open inprinciple.This is a serious problem that I will seekto address. The U.S. government haslong pressed for free and full access tothe Tibet Autonomous Region forAmerican diplomats and also formembers of Congress and foreignjournalists. If confirmed, I will continueto raise this issue at high levels.

While exercising the "daunting task"of providing leadership to thissuffering people, he said, he willremain ever cognizant of not only hisown family's legacy, but the legaciesof the families of the 6 millionTibetans.On relations with ChinaOn dialogue with China, Sangay saidthat if the Chinese government iswilling to find a peaceful solution tothe Tibetan issue, he is willing to takeany measure to talk with them. If theywant to speak directly with arepresentative of His Holiness theDalai Lama, for example, Sangay willarrange for that."If they are interested in movingforward, we have extended our handall along. We'll extend our hand evennow, any time, anywhere, to resolvethe issue of Tibet."

Sangay said he that whether theChinese government is willing to dealdirectly with the TibetanAdministration or with him isirrelevant; in his view, what mattersare the results.

The Tibetan Administration isinterested in finding a substantive,peaceful solution to the sufferinginside Tibet, and Sangay recognizesthat they need to address the Chinesegovernment's mindset.When the Chinese first came to Tibet,he said, they promised the Tibetanpeople a socialist paradise."It's not a paradise. It's a tragedy,"Sangay asserted.On policyIn formulating Tibetan policy, Sangayspoke about the importance ofthinking critically and analytically. Heplans to use scholars to do researchon issues affecting Tibetans,formulating policies, programs, andactions that will impact the Tibetancommunity in five to 50 years.As part of this initiative, theadministration will invite scholarsfrom all over the world to Dharamshalafor lectures, conferences and paneldiscussions.Focusing on education will be his firstpriority as the Tibetan political leader."I am who I am because of education.I come from a very humblebackground," he said. "If you giveproper education to any individual,you can not only change thatperson's life but also help his or her

family and community."Through education, he hopes to helpcreate as many Tibetan professionalsas possible so that the Tibetan peoplecan become effective leaders.

Regarding the environment, Sangaysaid that Tibet is the source of 10major rivers in Asia, and that Tibetanshave historically always been willingto share, or "let the natural course ofthe river flow to the population."Now, however, due to the damming ofthe rivers by the Chinese government,the natural flow is being disrupted,affecting not just Tibet and China butAsia as a whole. The Mekong River,for example, flows all the way toSoutheast Asian countries such asThailand and Vietnam.He plans to raise this issue with thepeople of Asia and the internationalcommunity and to point out ways theChinese government is harming theenvironment and exploiting resources.On his predecessorSangay's predecessor SamdhongRinpoche has told Sangay that hesupports fully any changes he makesin the programs and policies of theTibetan Administration.Sangay is thankful to have thisblessing when formulating newprojects and policies, and he also saidthat he will seek the advice ofSamdhong Rinpoche from time to time.Without understanding pastadministrations and why they took theactions they did, one cannot moveahead and make major changes,Sangay said. In his opinion it will bepractical to seek the advice of hispredecessor."I think we are together in movingforward and making necessarychanges to make our administrationmore effective and make our movementstronger and more sustainable,"Sangay said.On returning to TibetSangay says that one of his lifelongaspirations is to return to his homeland,a place he has never been. He leftAmerica and his job at HarvardUniversity to provide leadership for theTibetan people because he wants tosee this dream fulfilled for himself andother Tibetans in exile."For all my life, I've heard only voicesof my relatives in Tibet. Who does notwant to reunite with their familymembers back home? That is the dream.That is the desire. That's why I'm here."

TPI H.H THE DALAI LAMAThe Tibet Post 315 August, 2011 Dharamsala

His Holiness the Dalai LamaHails India’s Democracy,

Rule of Law

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama (C), Indian Minister for Minority Affairs SalmanKhurshid (L) and Chairman National Commission for Minorities Wajahat Habibullah (R)

attend the fourth annual Lecture on Minorities in New Delhi on August 10, 2011/GETTY IMAGES

By Tibetan Administration Media: Tibet Net

New Delhi: - Diverse languages,cultures, scripts, religions havepeacefully coexisted in India due todemocracy and rule of law, said thespiritual leader of Tibet, His Holinessthe Dalai Lama as he delivered the fourthannual lecture of National Commissionfor Minorities at India InternationalCenter Wednesday morning.His Holiness said except for someproblems, India as the world's mostpopulous democracy has largely beenvery stable compared to many of itsneighbors because the country has avery ancient and rich tradition of non-violence and religious harmony.Stressing on the universality of moralethics in cultivating inner peace, he saidsome people mistakenly believe thatmoral ethics are based on religiousvalues. If that was so, then it can neverbe universal because the reality is thereare so many religious traditions, headded. Secular ethics relate to all of usas the same human beings using ourcommon experience, common sense,and latest scientific findings to makepositive changes in oneself and others,he said.Lack of moral ethics which leads toundermining of self-discipline, HisHoliness said, is responsible for manysocietal ills like corruption that plaguecountries like China and India.His Holiness said many problems in theworld today are man-made with toomuch negative emotions deluding themind with negative emotions in such away that we become slaves todestructive actions. Through trainingand awareness, one can transformnegatives emotions into positiveemotions.He said just like the external matters, inthe world of mind, there are manydifferent emotions, some very usefuland beneficial in bringing innerstrength, self-confidence, all positiveemotions that enable one to have asense of concern for others' well-beingand see others as one's own.His Holiness said scientists today areincreasingly involved in studying andresearching phenomena that areformless, mysterious, and defieshuman understanding. "Now they arelooking inside at being, self, andemotions as something that is veryrelated to day-to-day life," he added.Reiterating that he rightly considers

His Holiness The Dalai Lama toTeach in Europe

His Holiness The Dalai Lama during a special event being helding in Dharamshala, Indiaon 8th August 2011. TPI

Dharamshala: - The spiritual leader ofTibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama leftthe north Indian town of Dharamshalayesterday, August 9, to embark on aEuropean tour. His Holiness departedfrom the main temple amid thousandsof spectators who had gathered therefor new Tibetan political leader Dr.Lobsang Sangay's public felicitationceremony.His Holiness will start his trip in France,where he will give teachings on August13 and 14 on Kamalashila's TheMiddling States of Meditation (Tib:gomrim barpa) at the Zenith deToulouse.Kamalashila, born in India in the 8thcentury, brought Buddhist teachings toTibet, and His Holiness the Dalai Lamahas called his Middling States ofMeditation "a key that opens the doorto all Buddhist texts."His Holiness will speak onKamalashila's teachings on meditation,compassion, special insight andenlightenment.In Toulouse he will also give a publictalk on August 15 on The Art ofHappiness, also at the Zenith deToulouse. Both events are organized byChemins de Sagesse, and moreinformation is available on their website.The organizers say that "the DalaiLama's visit to the Southwest of Francewill be an exceptional opportunity forstudents and practitioners of


himself as son of India, His Holinesssaid, "Every cell of my brain is filledwith Nalanda Thought and my bodyfor the last fifty years is survived byIndian dal and chawal." He recalledmaking this clarification to an overseasChinese journalist who expressed hiscuriosity over this remark.Speaking on his recent devolution ofpolitical authority to an electedpolitical leadership, His Holiness saidhe is happy he has implemented in fullwhat he had been saying for years. "Ialways say the world belongs to thehumanity, the people, not to kings andreligious leaders; just as each countrybelongs to its people , not to a politicalparty or a raja."Calling democracy the best system ofgovernance, His Holiness said he hadsince childhood in Tibet wantedchange in the system. In exile, he saidhe was happy to have the opportunityto introduce democracy in the Tibetancommunity. Ever since Tibetans beganto directly elect their Kalon Tripa, theelected Tibetan political leadership in2001, His Holiness said he was in asemi-retired position. He said he has"happily, voluntarily and proudly"given up the political authority he hadtaken over at the age of 16. "The last60 years was a difficult period but nowat 76, as an old monk, I have my ownright to retire."Mr Salman Khurshid, Union Ministerfor Minority Affairs and Law andJustice also addressed the gathering.Shri Wajahat Habibullah, Chairman ofNCM, gave the welcome address andDr. H.T. Sangliana, Vice-Chairperson ofNCM thanked the guests at the event.Among the guests were members ofParliament, Election Commission,Planning Commission; political leaders;academicians; writers; artists; andforeign diplomats.Last year's lecture was delivered by DrAPJ Abdul Kalam, former president ofIndia. Justice A.M. Ahmadi, FormerChief Justice of India and JusticeRajinder Sachar, Former Chief Justiceof Delhi High Court gave the first andsecond annual lectures.The National Commission forMinorities is a body constituted by theGovernment of India to monitor andevaluate the progress of peopleclassified as minorities by the Indiangovernment.

Buddhism--as well as for everyonereceptive to His Holiness' message ofpeace--to increase their knowledge ofBuddhism and to enrich their spiritualdevelopment."After his time in France, His Holinesswill travel to Tallinn, Estonia, where hewill give a free public talk on August17 on A Call for UniversalResponsibility at Liberty Square. Theevent is organized by the EstonianInstitute of Buddhism.He will conclude his European tour inHelsinki, Finland on August 20, whenhe will speak on Geshe LangriThangpa's Eight Verses of Training theMind (Tib: lojonk tsik gyema) at the

Barona Theater. He will also give apublic talk on The Power ofCompassion at the same location in theafternoon.The Finnish Tibetan CulturalAssociation, who organized the event,says "we are happy to be able towelcome you all to share the wisdomof the words and comfort of thepresence of His Holiness the DalaiLama." More information can be foundon their website.His Holiness will return to Dharamshalain late August to give three dayteachings on Shantideva's A Guide tothe Bodhisattva's Way of Life (Tib:chodjug) from August 30-September 1.

Finnish Minister Plans to Meet HisHoliness The Dalai Lama

His Holiness the Dalai Lama during an official ceremoney being held in Dharamshala,India on 8th August 2011. Photo: TPI


Dharamshala: During the spiritualleader of Tibet, His Holiness the 14thDalai Lama's upcoming visit toFinland, which will take place from 18-21 August, one Finnish minister islikely to meet with His Holiness.According to the Helsingin Sanomat,Minister for InternationalDevelopment Heidi Hautala reportedher planned meeting to anotherFinnish news source in late July.It is thought that Member ofParliament Pekka Haavisto, the GreenLeague's presidential candidate, mayalso meet with His Holiness.Erkki Tuomioja, the Minister forForeign Affairs, will be away duringHis Holiness' visit. Tuomioja hasdenied that Finland has a policy aboutmeetings with His Holiness. "After all,it is a private occasion of a spiritualkind," he told the press.Historically, foreign ministers inFinland have not met often with HisHoliness the Dalai Lama. His Holinesshas visited Finland five times, and inthat time, he met once each withMinister of the Environment PekkaHaavisto and Minister of CultureClaes Andersson.During His Holiness' latest visit in2006, no political meetings took place.When Finnish Members of Parliamentraised the issue with governmentministers, Tuomioja said that Finnishauthorities already had enough

information on the situation betweenChina and Tibet. MP Ben Zyskowiczcountered that a meeting with HisHoliness the Dalai Lama would not beabout gathering information, butabout sending a political signal.Tuomioja also claimed that noinvitation had been sent; organizersof the event, however, said thatserious attempts had been made toarrange a meeting.China has warned Finland againstmeeting with His Holiness. PengZhengwu, the Head of the Embassy'sPolitical Office, has said that such ameeting would "hurt the bilateral

relations between China and Finland.He is not only a spiritual leader."Tuomioja said that Finland is awareof China's views, but he wouldn't sayif China had put pressure on Finlandregarding this matter. On meeting withthe Dalai Lama, he said that "naturallythey find it an unfriendly gesture."During his upcoming visit to Helsinki,His Holiness will give two teachingson the morning of 20 August basedon Geshe Langri Thangpa's EightVerses of Training the mind (Tib:lojong tsik gyema). In the afternoonof the same day, he will give a publictalk on The Power of Compassion.

The Tibet Post4 15 August, 2011 Dharamsala TPI INTERNATIONALChina Suspected in Mass Cyber-

Hacking: Experts Say

System security. Photo: File


Dharamshala: - The cyber-securitycompany McAfee has released a reportsaying that over the past five years,cyber hackers have been breaking intothe systems of 72 organizationsworldwide. Victims of the hackinginclude governments, internationalorganizations and private companies.Security experts say the hacker was a"state actor," and analysts have saidthat most of the evidence points toChina.According to Reuters, the 72organizations hacked into included thegovernments of the United States,Taiwan, India, South Korea, Vietnam,and Canada, as well as internationalorganizations such as the United

Report on Tibet SupportGroups Conference

Released

Chief Supreme Justice Commissioner Ngawang Phelgyal (right) launches the report on thesixth International Tibet Support Groups Conference at DIIR, Dharamsala, on Monday, 1

August 2011. Also seen in the picture is DIIR Kalon Kesang Y Takla: Photo: TPI

Dharmashala: A press conference washeld today, August 1, for the release ofa report on the Sixth International TibetSupport Groups Conference. The pressconference was held at the Departmentof Information and InternationalRelations in Dharamshala.This morning's chief guest was Mr.Ngawang Phelgyal, the Chief SupremeJustice Commissioner of the CentralTibetan Administration. Mr. NgawangPhelgyal released the report.The Minister of the Department ofInformation and InternationalRelations, Kalon Kelsang YangkyiTakla, gave the press statement.The Sixth International Tibet SupportGroups (TSG) Conference, held lastNovember in the Indian state ofHaryana, was attended by 258participants from 57 countries. HisHoliness the Dalai Lama was the Guestof Honour.The TSG Conference developed anaction plan focusing on politicalsupport, outreach to China, humanrights, the environment, anddevelopment.In the press statement, Kalon Taklasaid, "In our view the action plan thatwill guide the activities and thecampaigns of the worldwide TSGmovement is both comprehensive andpractical. It is our conviction that thisaction plan will galvanize and give newdynamism to the TSG movment."The action plan contains severalobjectives: to increase Tibet advocacyin governments internationally, to buildsupport for His Holiness the Dalai Lama


Kunsang Choegyal had a shop wherehe sold CDs.According to information received fromreliable sources by The Tibet PostInternational, one night recently, he waswalking in the street with some friendswhen someone came and took his cellphone. After 10 days, the Chinesepolicemen came and told him that hehad to shut down his shop.On the afternoon of 2 Aug, the Chinesepolice came, arrested him, and took himaway. His family has no idea as to his

China Arrests a CD Sellerin Eastern Tibet

......Continues from front Page

Nations and the International OlympicCommittee.The Guardian states that 49 of the 72organizations were based in the UnitedStates.McAfee uncovered the attacks this pastMarch, saying that the earliest attackby the hackers occurred in 2006.McAfee's vice president of threatresearch Dmitri Alperovitch toldReuters, "Companies and governmentagencies are getting raped and pillagedevery day. They are losing economicadvantage and national secrets tounscrupulous competitors.""The scale at which this is occurring isreally, really frightening," Alperovitchsaid.Jim Lewis, a cyber expert from the Center

for Strategic and International Studies,said that much of the informationobtained was of special interest toChina.One example cited was the repeatedhackings of the International OlympicCommittee and national OlympicCommittees around the time of the 2008Beijing Olympics.Another was the fact that thegovernment of Taiwan's system hadbeen broken into; Taiwan and Chinahave a tense political relationship.McAfee refused to name a specificculprit; however, it pointed to a singlecountry as responsible and called theOlympic-related hacking "particularlyintriguing."Cyber analyst Dave Clemente, fromChatham House think tank, told TheGuardian that China was probably alsobeing targeted through hacking by othercountries."It's going in both directions, butprobably not the the same extent," hesaid. "China has a real motivation togain these types of industrial secrets,to make that leapfrog."Alperovitch said that that the hackingrepresents a huge economic threat tocompanies, industries, and "entirecountries that face the prospect ofdecreased economic growth in asuddenly more competitivelandscape."In 2009, a report released by a Canadianresearch group said that a cyber spynetwork, based mainly in China, hadhacked into classified documents fromgovernment and private organizationsin 103 countries, including thecomputers of His Holiness the DalaiLama and Tibetan exiles.

US Congressman Praises DemocraticAchievements of Tibetans

His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Photo: file

By Central Tibetan Administration Official Media: Tibet Net

Dharamshala: - Describing the spiritualleader of Tibet, Holiness the DalaiLama's voluntary effort to give uppower as remarkable, a top US lawmakerhas said it is culmination of a decades-long process of nurturing thedevelopment of democratic institutionsin the Tibetan exile community."At a time when autocrats around theworld are clinging to power, the DalaiLama's voluntary effort to give uppower is remarkable. It is the culminationof a decades-long process of nurturingthe development of democraticinstitutions in the Tibetan exilecommunity," Congressman James P.McGovern of Massachusetts said in aspeech on the floor of the US House ofRepresentative on Tuesday."This stands in stark contrast to the

reality that neither Tibetans in Tibet, noranyone in China, are allowedfundamental democratic freedoms orfree elections. What the Tibetans haveaccomplished is worthy of our attentionand respect," he said."In March 2011, the Dalai Lamaannounced his decision to devolve hispolitical authority to the electedleadership. These changes were ratifiedby the Tibetan parliament in May," MrMcGovern told the House.He further said, "Tibetans from aroundthe world will gather for a historicoccasion on 8 August 2011, theinauguration of their democraticallyelected Kalon Tripa, Dr LobsangSangay.""On the occasion of the inaugurationof the next Kalon Tripa, Dr Lobsang

Sangay, I send my warm wishes to theTibetan people and congratulate themon their democratic achievements," headded."Dr Lobsang Sangay takes over as chiefexecutive of the Central TibetAdministration at a critical point, asmuch of the political responsibilities forthe Tibetan community in exile nowreside on his shoulders," CongressmanMcGovern said."I had the chance to meet LobsangSangay when he came to Capitol Hill inJuly 2011, during the Dalai Lama's visitto Washington. I look forward to hisreturn to discuss ways the United Statescan help Tibetans in their endeavor tofind a solution for the Tibet issue," headded.

current whereabouts. The Chinesepolice arrested him because he sold CD'sthat had copies of His Holiness the DalaiLama's speeches; also, in his cell phone,there was a photo of His Holiness.After his arrest, his family went to thepolice station to inquire after him andthe reason for his arrest. The policereplied that of course he was arrestedfor a reason, but they wouldn't give thefamily any information. The police alsotold the family that they did not knowhis whereabouts.

to visit Tibet, to counter China's effortsto weaken the Tibetan language, toincrease awareness of human rightsabuses, to stop the damming of theMekong River, and to foster betterunderstanding between Chinese andTibetan people.Significantly, many Chinese peopleparticipated in the TSG conference,showing their solidarity with theTibetan struggle. Kalon Takla calledthe Chinese involvement "a hugeencouragement for both the Tibetanpeople and the worldwide TSGmovement."The extensive report on the conferencecontains the opening and closingstatements made by Kalon TripaSamdhong Rinpoche, His Holiness theDalai Lama, and other Tibetan, Indian,and Chinese officials.In his address at the conference, HisHoliness the Dalai Lama spoke aboutthe presence of many Han Chinesethere, saying that their support wasproof that Tibetans don't oppose thepeople of China."Many of the educated and intelligentHan Chinese people who are patrioticand love their culture, people, andcountry, even they have come to helpus. This clearly shows that ourstruggle is just and noble," HisHoliness said.Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdhong Rinpocheexpressed hope for the future in hisclosing statement. "The awarenessand spirit of freedom, equality andjustice within the mind of Chinesepeople have been growing veryrapidly...therefore, the coming fewyears would be immensely importantfor everyone, for the world, for thehumanity, of course for the Tibetansand for the other minorities within thePRC."The report also contains briefingpapers on the status of dialoguebetween the Chinese government andthe Tibetan administration, the humanrights situation in Tibet, the state ofenvironmental issues in Tibet, waysTibetans can reach out to Chinesepeople on the Tibetan issue, and usingtechnology to advance the Tibetancause.The conference was organized by theCore Group for Tibetan Cause in India,and facilitated by the Department ofInformation and InternationalRelations of the Central TibetanAdministration.

The Tibet Post 515 August, 2011 DharamsalaTPI TIBET IN EXILETibetan Co-Operative MovementHolds Meeting in Dharamshala

Kalontripa, Dr. Lobsang Sangay addressing the 11th board meeting of the Tibetan Co-operative Federation at the staff mess of CTA, Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamshala, India,

11 August 2011. Photo: TPI


Dharamshala: Nyamdel, the Federationof Tibetan Co-operatives India Ltd,commonly called "The Federation," heldthe first day of its 11th general boardmeeting today, August 11. The first dayof the three-day conference took place atthe Staff Mess of the Central TibetanAdministration in Dharamshala, India.Kalon Tripa Dr. Lobsang Sangay, thenewly elected Tibetan political leader, wasthe chief guest.A total of 60 delegates includingChairmen, secretaries from the 15 branchTibetan Co-operatives and 3 membersfrom each board of directors areparticipating in the conference. Thesecretaries of various departments of theCentral Tibetan Administration, membersof the standing committee of the TibetanParliament in-Exile, and representativesof Tibetan non-governmentalorganizations also attended the openingday.The Deputy Speaker of the TibetanParliament in-Exile, Ven. Sonam Tenphelreleased a book entitled Co-operativeMovement in Tibetan Community inExile: Commemorating 50 Years in Exile.Secretary of Home Ngodup DorjeeSogtoe released the Foundation'sSummer 2011 Newsletter.The Federation has 150 braches in India,Nepal and Bhutan and employs 500permenant and 500 temporary staff. 60%of Tibetans in exile depend on the co-operatives for their income, said TashiWangdue, director of the co-operative,during his introductory remarks.The event was Sangay's first officialconference as Kalon Tripa. Sangay said,"The work and projects of the Federationare very compatible with my threefundamental principles: unity, innovation,and self-reliance."A detailed report on each settlement iscontained in the book. Each reportincludes a summary of the history of thesettlement, a list of objectives, land andpopulation statistics, financial data, adescription of their activities, and photos.The organization was started to helpTibetan co-operative societies in exile. Theco-operative societies themselves werestarted to help the rehabilitation andsustainability of Tibetan refugees.Tibetan co-operative societies supplyagricultural inputs, help the membersmarket agricultural products andhandicrafts, provide services like purifiedwater and cement bricks, set up weavingcenters, supply essential goods, and helpthe refugees financially and withemployment.According to the Nyamdel website, theFederation was started to provide a

Mr. Dorjee to Take Charge asDharamshala Tibetan Settlement

Officer

Sonam Dorjee/File photo

Dharamshala: - Mr Sonam Dorjee, aged32, has been elected as the new Tibetansettlement officer of Dharamsala and heis slated to take charge on 22 Augustfor a three-year term.Mr Dorjee polled 506 votes (53.6%) ofthe total 944 votes cast in the finalelection on 31 July, beating hiscontender Bhuchung Tashi who got 416votes.Speaking to TibetNet, the Tibetansettlement officer-elect spoke about hispriorities to set in motion an all-roundimprovement in administrative, social,

By Tibetan Administration Media: Tibet Net

The Kalon Tripa has historically beenthe second-highest post in the Tibetangovernment with the Dalai Lama beingthe highest. His Holiness said, "Todaywe have successfully elected a politicalleader who we call 'Sikyongwa' (the topleader in the government). We shouldbe proud and happy."His Holiness expressed confidence thatSangay, who is highly-educated, willconduct his responsibilities well withinthe Tibetan Parliament, the TibetanAdministration and in working withTibetan non-governmentalorganizations.He also urged the Tibetan people to"believe that the community is moreimportant than the individual."His Holiness, now 76 years old, becamethe head of the Tibetan government atage 16. After 60 years, he hands over allof his political responsibilities, whichhe said has been his dream for a longtime.Outgoing Kalon Tripa Prof. SamdhongRinpoche said that the step towardsdemocracy would be "an example notonly to people under occupation butalso to others around the world."Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche spoke highlyof His Holiness the Dalai Lama's effortsto introduce democratic institutions tothe Tibetan people, efforts that heundertook from a young age. Amongthese were the introduction of theCharter for the Tibetans-in-Exile andprocesses by which the people couldelect political leaders directly.Sangay said that he was in this positionnot because of his own achievements,but because of sacrifices and hard workmade by the elder generations ofTibetans both inside and outside ofTibet.He emphasized that "the devolution ofHis Holiness the Dalai Lama's political

power is not at all solely to me as theKalon Tripa, but to all Tibetans."He also spoke about the importance ofshowing the world that the Tibetanpeople are committed to democraticprinciples and a secular government.Sending a message to ChinaSangay said that this election shouldshow the hardliners in the Chinesegovernment that "Tibetan leadership isfar from fizzling out-we are a democracythat will only grow stronger in yearsahead. And we are here to stay.""Tibetans have become second classcitizens in their own homeland," Sangaysaid, speaking about the exploitation ofboth resources and culture that hasoccurred in Tibet as a result of Chineserule."After sixty years of misrule, Tibet isno Socialist Paradise that Chineseofficials promised...today, it is a tragedybecause of the Chinese occupation,"he said.Despite the tragedy, though, Sangaysaid that Tibetans want to send to Chinaand to the world the message of theTibetan people's firm commitment tonon-violence and their willingness fordialogue with China. He emphasizedhis support for the Middle-Wayapproach, a policy that seeks trueautonomy for the Tibetan people underChinese rule.Sangay also said that if the Chinesegovernment resolves the Tibet issuein a lasting way, then China will securea much more positive image in the eyesof the world."A lasting solution to the situation inTibet will be one of the most definingstories of the 21st century, for it willreaffirm faith in humanity's capacity tobuild peace, non-violence anduniversal freedom," he said.Speaking about his own experience

with Chinese-Tibetan dialogue, Sangaysaid said that Chinese people in Chinaand beyond have a responsibility tohelp the Chinese government deal withTibet in a positive and peaceful way.At Harvard, Sangay has organizedconferences between Chinese andTibetan scholars and has personallyreached out to hundreds of Chinesestudents in efforts to promote trust andunderstanding.Future plans"With unity, innovation, and self-reliance as the guiding principles ofsix million Tibetans, victory will beours," Sangay said.Sangay plans to make education hisfirst priority. He also plans to, throughtechnology, professionalize theTibetan Administration. Among otherinitiatives, the administration willestablish sister settlements betweenTibetans in India and the West,introduce a Tibet Policy Institute toenvision and execute policy on Tibet,and introduce the Tibet Corps, anorganization that will strive to use theskills of Tibetans in Tibet andworldwide for the Tibetan cause.It will not be an easy road ahead,according to Sangay. He urged theyounger generation of Tibetans to puttheir support and energy behind theTibetan cause. Depending on theircommitment to their cause, Tibetans"will be alive or become a museumpiece," he said. "It is a time forconfidence in the belief that we areTibetans and we can do it."He spoke with conviction that one daythe Tibetan people and His Holinessthe Dalai Lama will be able to return toTibet. "We are always ready to embarkon this epic journey from Dharamsala,the abode of Dharma, to Lhasa, theabode of Gods."

..........New Tibetan Leader Lobsang Sangay......Continues from front Page

"common forum for the cooperatives toexchange discussion on ideas,challenges, successes."The cooperatives also needed a centralorganization to market their handicraftsand agricultural products.The Federation, formed in 2005, seeksto "promote social and economicbetterment in the interests of its memberco-operatives through self help andmutual aid," according to the Summer2011 edition of their newsletter.In the book's preface, Chairman Pema

Delek states that the co-operativeeconomic model is "free of violence,exploitation and could contributetremendously towards the attainmentof community sustainability withoutrelying on governments or bigindustries for meeting a large percentof the people's needs."Sangay said that on his own visit to theTibetan settlements and saw theagricultural cooperatives, weavinginitiatives, flour mills, and school busesfor local students, all arranged by thecooperatives."These things are the cause of your hardwork and activities, and I ask that youcontinue to do your best," he said.Sangay advised attendees to complywith Indian law, as the Federation is nowregistered with the Indian government.He also told them to turn to chairman ofthe Federation Pema Delek and theCTA's Department of Home for anythingthey may need.It is important, he said, for Members ofParliament to visit the settlements andfor the people living there to explain theirneeds to these government officials.The Federation works closely with theCentral Tibetan Administration. Amessage from the former Kalon TripaProf. Samdhong Rinpoche, printed inthe book, states that both thecommunist and the capitalist systemshave failed at promoting values suchas love, friendship, peace, and stability.The co-operative system, he said, relieson humans working together and havingcompassion.

health and welfare spheres.He said Dharamsala as a scatteredcommunity has a sizable number ofTibetans who might be not in the recordof the welfare office. Considering thestrategic significance of Dharamsala asthe seat of His Holiness the Dalai Lamaand His Holiness' security, he said hewould conduct a detailed study to keeprecords of those Tibetans.Advancing and strengthening theexisting cordial relationship betweenTibetans and local Indian community isone of his foremost priorities."There is an Indo-Tibetan FriendshipAssociation in Dharamsala which worksfor establishing harmoniousrelationship between the twocommunities. As the welfare officerserves as vice-president of the Indo-Tibetan Friendship, I, in that capacity,would further develop and strengthenthis existing friendly relationship," MrDorjee said.Describing the lack of awareness aboutthe Indian law on the part of someTibetans as the main cause of minorproblems, he said this would be tackledby educating them through workshopsonce in a month or two."We will take suggestions from themembers of both communities duringour frequent meetings to foster peaceand harmony in Dharamsala," he added.He also spoke about his plans to createconditions to prevent the problems ofdrug addiction and unemploymentamong the youths.He said he would conduct thoroughreassessment of the welfare schemesprovided to the poor and needyTibetans to ensure that the help reachesto those in real need of help.Born on 21 July 1979, Sonam Dorjee didhis schooling from TCV at Pathlikuhland upper Dharamsala. He studied two-year Diploma in Computer Applicationfrom SOS VTC Selakui, Dehradun in year2003 and a 3-month Diploma inPersonality Development andCommunication Skill.He was actively involved in socialservice, as he worked mostlyprominently as the Health ProjectOfficer for Tong-len Charity for from2008 to 2010. Tong-Len Charity helpsdisplaced communities in North Indiaachieve a secure and sustainable futureby addressing the root causes of theirpoverty and ill-health through a rangeof education and health-based projects.He also served as the general secretaryof the Indo-Tibetan FriendshipAssociation in Dharamsala fromNovember 2010 till date.

6 15 August, 2011 Dharamsala The Tibet PostTPI TIBET

Tibetans in Amdo Suffer LeadExposure from Chinese

Factories

Tibetans Oppose Visit By China-Appointed Panchen Lama

Labrang Tashikyil is a major monastic center serving as a wellspring of the Buddhistteachings for the region of Amdo in eastern Tibet. Among all of Amdo, to the north and

the south, a sacred place was previously prophesied by the Dakini Sangwa Yeshe calledChumgo Tashi Ye Khyil. There, in the Earth Ox year of the Twelfth 60-Year Cycle,corresponding to the year 1709 in the Western calendar, Ngawang Tsöndru, the first

Kunkhyen Jamyang Shepa, founded the great monastery of Labrang Tashikyil.

Dharamshala: A visit to Tibet's Amdoregion by the Chinese-appointedPanchen Lama has been postponeddue to widespread opposition fromboth the lay and monasticcommunities in the area.Tibetans consider 21-year oldGyaincain Norbu to be a falsePanchen Lama. The real PanchenLama, they believe, is Gedhun ChoekyiNyima, recognized in May 1995 by HisHoliness the Dalai Lama as the truereincarnation. Gedhun ChoekyiNyima, along with his family, hasdisappeared and is thought to bedetained by Chinese authorities.The Chinese-appointed PanchenLama was scheduled to visit LabrangMonastery in Tibet's Amdo region inlate July. Labrang Monastery, a keyinstitution in Tibetan Buddhism, wasa major site of the demonstrationsagainst Chinese rule in 2008.Sources in the area say the visit hasbeen postponed until August orSeptember.Radio Free Asia quoted a source inthe area: "Chinese authorities orderedTibetan staff at the Sangchu (inChinese, Xiahe) county offices to beready to welcome him joyously, andoffer scarves and prostrations," hesaid.The source also said that Chineseauthorities had threatened to cut jobsand reduce salaries if the local peoplerefused to comply with their demands.Extensive security measures had alsobeen taken in preparation for the visit;local sources say that over 1,000police and security forces had beenstationed outside of the monastery.Despite these threats and efforts,Tibetan locals still expressedreluctance to welcome the Chinese-appointed Panchen Lama. Apparentlybecause of this reluctance, thepreparations have been postponed.Tibetans in the area had a similarreaction when the Chinese-appointedPanchen Lama came to the area a fewyears back. RFA quoted another


rioters hijacked a truck at a red light,stabbed the driver, ran over pedestrians,and stabbed bystanders.A report by AFP, however, sheddifferent light on the incident. AFPquoted World Uyghur Congressspokesman Dilax Raxit as saying thatthe majority of the dead were policeofficers.Uyghurs "do not have any way toprotest peacefully, and in a desperateattempt to protest, they started a fightwith the police," Raxit said. "Theunderlying cause of this incident is therepressive Chinese rule."On July 31, at least three more peoplewere killed, reportedly "hacked to deathby the rioters." Chinese police shotdead four suspects later that night.The incident follows one earlier thissummer. On July 18, Uyghurs attackeda Chinese police station with homemadeexplosives and knives. Twenty peoplewere killed in total; this number included18 Uyghurs shot by police. The incidentwas related to China cracking down onUyghur women who wore Islamic faceveils.These incidents are part of the growingtension between the Uyghur people andthe Han Chinese in the region.Chinese media claims that the attacksare by Islamic militant groups.According to Chinese officials, thesemilitant groups want an independentIslamic homeland and receive trainingfrom Pakistan. The government has saidthat the attackers advocated "jihad,"according to a report by the BBC.

President of World Uyghur CongressRebiya Kadeer said that the violence isactually due to Uyghur frustration withChinese rule. The region is rich with oiland gas deposits, and many believe thatthe Uyghurs are angry that theseresources are going into the hands ofthe Han Chinese from China.The BBC quoted Kadeer, the leader ofUyghur people, as saying, "I amsaddened that Han Chinese andUyghurs have lost their lives. At thesame time I cannot blame the Uyghurswho carry out such attacks for theyhave been pushed to despair byChinese policies." "The Chinesegovernment has created an environmentof hopelessness," Kadeer said.East Turkistan had been illegallyoccupied in 1949 and since then theUyghurs have been suffering greatlyunder the repressive ChineseCommunist Government. They still formthe majority in that area constituting 20million people, however a rapid influxof illegal Han Chinese immigrants arediluting the population of theindigenous peoples and causingresentment.Amnesty International has documentedthat, since 2001, “tens of thousands ofpeople are reported to have beendetained for investigation in the region,and hundreds, possibly thousands,have been charged or sentenced underthe Criminal Law; many Uyghurs arebelieved to have been sentenced todeath and executed for alleged“separatist” or “terrorist” offences.”

Attacks on Police in EastTurkistan: Chinese State

Media Claims......Continues from front Page

Lama.Senior monks at the monastery havesaid that he may be there studying andmeditating for weeks. It remains to beseen how he will be received at LobrangMonastery, as the majority of the over1,000 monks living there support thePanchen Lama appointed by HisHoliness the Dalai Lama, called GedhunChoekyi. Soon after being appointed atage five, he and his family disappearedand are now in the custody of theChinese government.Chinese authorities have increasinglytried to cultivate support for the ChinesePanchen Lama, Gyaltsen Norbu, amongTibetans.Arja Rinpoche, former abbot of KumbumMonastery in eastern Tibet, fled to theUnited States in order to escapebecoming Gyaltsen Norbu's tutor. Hetold the New York Times, "Just forcing

him on the faithful cannot win heartsand minds but keeping him in Beijing allthe time is also not good for hisreputation."The Chinese Panchen Lama wasoriginally scheduled to be in Tibet inearly July; however, officials postponedthe visit due to concerns about anegative reception by the Tibetancommunity.Han Chinese residents in Sangchu areexcited about his visit; monks, on theother hand, are reluctant andconcerned.One monk told reporters, "He's not thereal Panchen Lama. Why does Beijingthink they have the right to interferewith our traditions?""If this was the real Panchen Lama, thewhole town would have lined up forhours just to see him," an anonymousscholar said.

Chinese Appointed Panchen LamaVisits Eastern Tibet


Kumbum Monastery, eastern Tibet. Photo: FILE/2009


Dharamshala: - US based NGO, theInternational Campaign for Tibet (ICT)has denounced authorities' indifferenceand attempts to cover up serious waterpollution in the area of Kumbummonastery and a nearby village inRushar County in Amdo (Ch: Qinghai),eastern Tibet.Many area residents have fallen ill fromlead poisoning due to the waste fromthe Ganhetan Industrial District, amining and smelting center in northeastTibet.According to the ICT, even the Chinesestate news agency Xinhua denouncedthe pollution in March 2006. Xinhua'sreport named four lead smeltingenterprises in the Ganhetan IndustrialDistrict as responsible for the pollution:the Western Mining Co Ltd, Branch CoKa'erduo Smelting Works, WesternRegions Lead Smelting Ganhe SmeltingWorks, and the Western Regions LeadIndustries Ganhetan Crude Lead Factory. The report also stated that newenterprises were being built.Since this time, ICT says, corruptChinese authorities have manipulatedresults on tests on the water. They havealso driven nearly 30,000 farmers fromland in the area for the purposes ofindustry.ICT says an anonymous bloggerreported that a petition had beencirculated and presented to theauthorities in late June. The petitionstated that the "uncontrolled mininghas caused a disastrous situation forthe residents."The petition states that the situationbecame more serious this past May andJune when several monks and localresidents who drank the water sufferedsymptoms such as nausea,powerlessness and daze. Some evenhad to be hospitalized.When ingested, lead is toxic to the heart,bones, intestines, kidneys,reproductive, and nervous systems.Lead poisoning can cause anemia,abdominal pain, headache, irritability,and more seriously, seizures, coma,blood disease, cancer of digestivesystem, and death. It can also impairchildren's brain development, leadingto permanent learning and behavioraldisorders.The blogger cited results of tests sayingthat 1,000 children have been exposedto the pollution and that over 100 havefallen ill as a result.Villagers have peacefully protested themining in the past; however, onepeaceful protest ended in death for one

Tibetan in 2010 when police opened fireon the demonstrators.A similar situation occurred in May2010, when a group of Tibetans,concerned about pollution from acement factory in Amdo, beganrebuilding a road that had been closeddue to expansion of the factory. Fifteenpeople were wounded after policeopened fire on the group.In June, the New York Times said thatthousands of villagers, children, andworkers have been exposed to toxiclevels of lead in the past two and a halfyears, mainly from battery factories andmetal smelters.The New York Times said these cases"underscore a pattern of governmentneglect seen in industry after industryas China strives for headlong growthwith only embryonic safeguards."According to the ICT, Chineseauthorities began mining Tibet in the1950s. China, facing growing shortagesin supplies of raw materials, hasincreasingly exploited Tibet's mineralsat a huge environmental cost to Tibet.AsiaNews states that "Beijing claims tohave greatly improved the economy andthe standard of living in Tibet. In realityit exploits the rich deposits of the areawithout worrying about pollution, buttaking away the raw material for thebenefit of the rich southern provinces."

source: "A few years ago, the Chinesegovernment brought the PanchenLama to Labrang, but the local peoplerefused to attend. This year, too, manyTibetans are saying that they won'tcome out to show respect,"Gyancain Norbu appeared in May

2010 as a national committee memberof the top advisory body at theChinese People's PoliticalConsultative Conference, and hecurrently serves as the vice presidentof China's state-run Buddhistassociation.

15 August, 2011 DharamsalaThe Tibet Post TPI TIBET IN EXILE 7Now, A Chance to End TibetStalemate: Tibetan Political

Leader

The newly elected Tibetan leader, Dr. Lobsang Sangay speaking during a panel discussionin Dharamshala, India. Photo: TPI

By Kalon Tripa elect Dr Lobsang Sangay

Dharamshala: Tomorrow, (Monday, 8thAugust) i take the oath to become theKalon Tripa, or elected political leader,of the Tibetan people. I assume theseduties with the support of His Holinessthe Dalai Lama and a democraticmandate from Tibetans living in exile in30 countries around the world. I willstrive to restore freedom for Tibetansand the return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet.The values that i seek for Tibetans arethose enjoyed and often taken forgranted in India: freedom, equality, anddignity.We are not against the Chinese peopleor China as a nation. We want to resolvethe issue of Tibet peacefully throughdialogue. But the Chinese people mustknow that historically Tibet and Chinawere two different entities as enshrinedin the Treaty of 821-822, which statesthat "Tibetan shall be happy in the landof Tibet and Chinese will be happy inthe land of China."When China invaded Tibet in 1959, itpromised the Tibetan people a "socialistparadise." First roads were built andalong these roads were carted Tibet'suntapped and abundant mineral andother natural resources to China.Forests were logged. The countlesspriceless statues and cultural artifactshoused in destroyed monasteries andtemples made their way to China. Inshort, the "socialist paradise" theTibetans were promised turned intocolonialism, with Tibet's resourcesbeing made to fuel China's development.The Tibetan people resisted thisdevelopment with determination but theresistance was crushed with militarymight. This is the Tibetan experience ofChina's "socialist paradise."After their escape from Tibet, myparents lived on an acre of land in arefugee settlement in Darjeeling. Wewere so poor that my folks had to sellone of their three cows to send me tothe Tibetan refugee school financed bythe Indian government. From there, iwent to Delhi University and won aFulbright Scholarship to Harvard LawSchool. Now, after 16 years at Harvard,i return to India to take up politicalleadership to help lead the six millionTibetans living in Tibet and exile.We remain eternally grateful to thepeople and the government of India forgiving us refuge for the past fivedecades. For those of us who live here,India is our second home. The Tibetanadministration will uphold the specialrelationship between the Tibetans and

Final Poll for Tibetan WelfareOfficer of Dharamsala Held

The final Election for Tibetan Welfare Officer of Dharamsala holding at the mainTibetan temple Mcleod Ganj, India on 31 Just 2011. Photo: TPI

Dharamshala: - On Sunday, 31 July,2011, the final round of elections forDharamshala Tibetan RefugeeSettlement Welfare Officer were held inthe Himalayan hill town of McleodGanj.The final two candidates were Mr. SonamDorjee, former President of theDharamshala Regional Tibetan YouthCongress, and Mr.Bhuchung Tashi, ex-Army.The position of Welfare Officer isresponsible for seeking solutions tosocial issues, for example child care,education and old-age provision. Amongits main goals is the achievement ofsocial, religious and political harmony.T.W.O. is also giving legal advices incases of conflicts in the society.To be elected, a candidate needs toreceive more than 51% of the vote.In most Tibetan settlements, the WelfareOfficer position is filled byappointment. McleodGanj(Dharamshala) is one of threesettlements which elect the position, theother locations being Pokhara Settlementin Nepal and the Ladakh region. Aftercasting his ballot, Mr. Sonam Dorjee laspoke to TPI, expressing the strongneed for Tibetan communities toparticipate in the democratic process.There were eight polling stations setup around the Dharamshala area,including Tsuglakhang, Upper andLower TCV schools, Sarah College,

By Tammy Winand, The Tibet Post

Tripa, Dr. Lobsang Sangay, will take anoath of office next week on August 8.In response to a journalists' questionabout what he is satisfied with after histwo terms as Kalon Tripa, he said that"you can't be fully satisfied withanything."He drew on his experiences at VaranasiUniversity, where he worked for 30 yearsbefore his 10 years as Kalon Tripa, tomake his point. He said that during his30 years at the university, "nothing hadas big a result as the plans I had in mymind."At the same time, Kalon Tripa said, "Ialso have nothing I regret about mywork, because before I became KalonTripa, I had the idea that nothingbecomes complete like we wish...we tryand do our work to the best of ourability."Kalon Tripa also spoke about thechanges that the TibetanAdministration's economic policy hasundergone during his work there."When I first started, I didn't know muchabout these very critical issues," hesaid.With the help of an economic researchgroup, the Tibetan Administrationfocused on the economy during theKashag's 12th and 13th terms. Theywere therefore able to return millions ofborrowed rupees to individuals in the

private sector."The money we have is now clean andlegal. There is no black money," saidKalon Tripa. The TibetanAdministration now runs off of interestand token financial contributions(Tibetan: chatrel) from the Tibetancommunity.In response to another question aboutthe role of Tibetan journalists, KalonTripa said that when he came to Tibetin 1959 there were no Tibetans workingas journalists. "Later, societyprogressed and now we have enoughmedia. This is a very bright result," hesaid.Giving advice to journalists, he said,"we should always keep the ethic ofjournalists. We should always stay inthe center and not be on one side."Kalon Tripa spoke optimistically aboutthe future of Tibet. He said that asolution to the Tibetan issue hasdefinitely become closer due to changesin China, internationally and withinTibet."If we give any credit, 80 percent is theresult of the Tibetans inside Tibet.They have lost their lives. They havespent there life there. We could give20% to those who are protestingoutside Tibet. They can haveconfidence, because it is impossible forthem to lose their lives."

Kalon Tripa Gives Last Official PressConference


The Tibet Post InternationalHimalayan Literacy Trust(Head Office)1st Floor, Exile HouseRoad, Mcleod Ganj, Dharamsala, Distt.Kangra H.P 176219 India

Advicer Mr. Thomas KeimelAdvicer Dr. Vincent BrucelEditor in Chief Mr. YC. DhardhowaChinese Editor Ms. Keary HuangAssistant Editor Mr. Sangay DorjeeCircular Ven Phuntsok DhondupPublisher Mr. Tenzin KungaEditor, Tibet Post Europe Mr. James DunnReporter Ms. Pema Tso

Tele: 0091-1892-224641Moble:+91-9882423566

E-mail: [email protected]

Contributors for this Editon

Keary Huang TaiwanColleen McKown USCornelius Lundsgaard DenmarkMathew Singh Toor IndiaYC. Dhardhowa IndiaSangay Dorjee IndiaPema Tso IndiaCarly Selby-James Australia

I n t e r n a t i o n a l

Indians. We humbly appeal for yourcontinued support and kindconsideration to treat Tibet as one ofthe core issues between India andChina.After 60 years of misrule, Tibetanscontinue to be repressed. Any Tibetancaught with a picture of the Dalai Lamais arrested in his homeland. Monks andnuns are put through hard labour. Evento have a copy of the UniversalDeclaration of Human Rights could landyou in trouble.Ultimately, unable to accept the statusof second-class citizens in their owncountry, in 2008, those born andbrought up under the "socialistparadise," Tibetans from all walks of liferose up and protested from Dromo toDartsedo and Ngari to Ngaba in Tibet.This generation of protesters in Tibet

has not met the Dalai Lama; and thoughfew in exile have been allowed to go toTibet, our spirit is strong. Elders haveentrusted their faith and leadership inthe younger generation and i pledge tocontinue their legacy to make ourfreedom movement stronger andsustainable.Following the footsteps of MahatmaGandhi, the Dalai Lama advocatesahimsa, to which i subscribe too. TheDalai Lama has proposed a "middle-pathsolution" that seeks genuine autonomyfor Tibet within China, which i supportbecause i believe in the power ofpeaceful dialogue to enact change. Ihave spent the last 16 years cultivatingdialogue between Chinese and Tibetanstudents, and arranging meetingsbetween the Dalai Lama and Chinesescholars at Harvard University.Although i will continue to ardentlystrive for Tibetan rights, meaningfulprogress will require the cooperation ofother parties. Through peacefuldialogue and communication, igenuinely believe we have theopportunity to meaningfully create asolution that would satisfy both Tibetanand Chinese interests.A just and speedy resolution of the issueof Tibet is in the interest of all Asia. Forthousands of years, the Tibetan peopleserved as responsible guardians of theenvironment of the world's highest andlargest plateau that is the source of 10major rivers, which contribute to thelivelihood of more than two billionhuman beings. China's damming ofrivers that originate from Tibet willundermine the livelihood of millions ofpeople downstream in Asia. It is for thisreason millions of people in Asia have avested interest in seeing that theTibetan people are restored to theirtraditional role of being the responsibleguardians of the environment of theTibetan Plateau. This transcendspolitics. It touches upon the well-beingand welfare of Asia.

Norbulingka, at the government officesand Tibetan library, and neighboringGopalpur. When the polls opened at9am, approximately 70 voters werewaiting to cast their ballots atTsuglakhang, with more steadily filinginto the voting area.Voters presented their Green Books (anID document showing they pay taxesto the exile government) and were addedto a list before receiving a ballot slip,which they filled out in curtained boothsand then dropped into one of two ballotboxes.Ballots from all polling stations will becounted on 1 August. The result isexpected to be announced by 3 August.Tibetan Welfare Office at Mcleodganjis serving as the liaison between theTibetans in Dharamshala and theDepartment of Home, Central TibetanAdministration. It is the principal officeto look after welfare and overall controlof running of affairs of the Tibetans inthe area.The welfare officer is the representativeof the Department of Home, CTA. Dailytask for the representative range fromadjudicating disputes to communicatingwith group leaders and outsideauthorities, and generally watchingover the running of all aspects of thesettlement. There are 5 Tibetan schools,15 monasteries, 1 old People's Homeunder the welfare office.

The Tibet Post8 15 August, 2011 Dharamsala TPI TIBET IN EXILE

Public Ceremony HonorsNew Tibetan Political

Leader

Public Ceremony Honors New Tibetan Leader, Dr. Lobsang Sangay Tuesady, 9th August2011, at the main Tibetan temple in Dharamshala, India, delegates from abroad also

made their speeches during the historiacal event. Photo: TPI


Dharamshala: - On August 9, a publicfelicitation ceremony took place for KalonTripa Dr. Lobsang Sangay, the new leaderof the Central Tibetan Administration. Theceremony, which included addresses fromIndian and foreign dignitaries, took placein the main temple in the Himalayan townof McLeod Ganj.The ceremony began with the hoisting ofthe Tibetan national flag by Kalon TripaSangay and an offering of sweets to theguests and the public. After the speeches,greeting scarves (Tib: Khatags) werepresented to Kalon Tripa byrepresentatives of monasteries and NGOS.The ceremony concluded with culturalmusic and dance performances from localstudents.Speakers included Ms. Chen Chieh-Jufrom the Democratic Progressive Party ofTaiwan, Mr. Seishu Makino from theDemocratic Party of Japan, Mr. BatjargalBatbayar, a Member of Parliament fromMongolia, Mr. Gautam, a Member of theConstituent Assembly in Nepal, Dr. N.K.Trikha, the National Convener of the CoreGroup for Tibet Cause in India, Ms. EvaLichtenberger, a Member of the EuropeanParliament from Belgium, Dr. Yang Jianli,the President for Initiatives for China-USA, Mr. Matteo Mecacci, a Member ofParliament from Itlay, and Mr. SiegfriedHerzog, the Director of the FriedrichNaumann Foundation.The representatives expressed strongsupport for Tibet and for the new KalonTripa, showing their solidarity with theTibetan struggle and calling for autonomyand the return of human rights in Tibet.Dr. Yang Jianli, a Tibet supporter anddemocracy advocate from Chinacurrently based in US, received especiallystrong enthusiasm from the audience. Heexpressed his congratulations to HisHoliness the Dalai Lama for his"extraordinary leadership, wisdom, anddetermination," and the "righteous way"he initiated democracy for the Tibetanpeople. He also commended Dr. LobsangSangay for his commitment to serving theTibetan people.He characterized the Chinese governmentas "the greedy dictators in Beijing" andsaid that Tibet's achievements indemocracy served as a "beacon of hope"to many, including Han Chinese such ashimself.Expressing his support for the Middle WayApproach, the policy that calls for Tibetanautonomy under Chinese rule, he said itwas the Tibetan people's "good fortune

customs, so after one or two generations,young Tibetans don't have much of achance to get educated in Tibetantraditions. So this model is for futureTibetans. When they see this model,they will be reminded of their culture andtheir identity," he said.Before the final models wereconstructed, an example model was madein Bangalore and taken to Dharamshalato be shown to Kalon Tripa ProfessorSandhong Rinpoche and many politicalleaders. After this, the example model wastaken back and construction on the finalmodels commenced.More models will be made and sold. Theywill not be sold for a profit; the price willonly cover the basic costs ofconstruction, said Sangpo.Kalon Tripa Sandhong Rinpoche saidthat while many images of the Potalaexisted, images made from wood and mudwere much more rare. Kalon Tripaemphasized that this model accuratelyportrays what the Potala Palace lookslike at this time.Perched upon Marpo Ri ( Red Hill), 130

meters above the Lhasa valley, the PotalaPalace rises a further 170 meters and isthe greatest monumental structure in allof Tibet.Early legends concerning the rocky hilltell of a sacred cave, considered to bethe dwelling place of the BodhisattvaChenresi (Avilokiteshvara), that wasused as a meditation retreat by the greatking, Songtsen Gampo in the seventhcentury AD. In 637 He built a palace onthe hill.The Potala Palace is an immensestructure, its interior space being inexcess of 130,000 square meters.Fulfilling numerous functions, the Potalawas first and foremost the residence ofthe Dalai Lama and his large governmentofficials including ministers.In addition, it was the seat of GadenPhodrang Tibet government, where allceremonies of state were held; it houseda school for religious training of monksand administrators; and it was one ofTibet's major pilgrimage destinationsbecause of the tombs of past DalaiLamas.

.....Models of the Great Potala Palace......Continues from front Page

helicopter or a road that is often closeddue to weather.India has been increasingly concernedabout Chinese infrastructure build-upalong the border, as China is seen as apotential long-term threat to its security.India will construct permanent militaryposts along the 4,057 kilometre Line ofAction Control between Indian andTibetan territories.In the past, India has avoided borderdevelopment because of concerns thatroads and railways would make militaryinvasion easier. However, due toChina's recent development on its sideof the border, India feels it is necessaryto assert claim over its territory by

making development and tourism easierin border areas.The Economic Times quoted chairmanof the Parliamentary StandingCommittee on Defence Satpal Maharajas saying, "China is creating a (border)rail network and so should we."The project, which also includes thebuilding of a series of roads as well aspermanent defenses, has facedproblems because the engineers areworking in a very remote area with quitedifficult terrain and geography. Workersas well as equipment have to be broughtin by helicopter.The Indian Express reports that about50 percent of the work on the 73 borderroad projects has been completed.

India Building Roads, RailwaysAlong Tibet Border


to have His Holiness as your spiritualleader and Dr. Lobsang Sangay as yourpolitical leader."Jianli said that the issue of Tibet is notlimited to Tibet and China, but that it is amoral issue that affects all of humanity.He praised the Tibetan exile communityfor being stable and harmonious, andexpressed confidence that one day Tibetwould also be harmonious underdemocracy and autonomy."Continue to fight the good fight," headvised. "Liberation will one day takeplace in Lhasa."Mr. Matteo Macacci, President of theTibet Group in the Italian Parliament, alsospoke about the importance ofdemocracy.Macacci said that democracy is advancingaround in the world. Citing examples suchas the recent revolution in Egypt, he saidthat even in countries that appear stable,people are rising up and calling for change.He expressed admiration for the non-violent approach of the TibetanAdministration and the tradition of"compassion, love, and cooperation.""China is powerful, but not stable," hesaid, saying that a society based on fear

would not last long.Calling today an important day in historyand an example for the whole world, heexpressed hope that one day there wouldbe a "free Tibet and a free China."Dr. N.K. Trikha of the Core Group for theTibet Cause in India also spoke verystrongly in support of Tibetans and theirnew democratic paradigm. He said thatwhat is happening to Tibetans and theirculture is "absolutely unacceptable toevery Indian" and called for the return of"honor and dignity" to the Tibetan people."I assure you that we Indians will doeverything we can," he said to the newKalon Tripa. "Tibet is in the hearts andminds of India."European Parliament representative Ms.Eva Lichtenberger, from Belgium,emphasized the importance of continuedinternational support and pressure for theTibetan cause. She said that the EuropeanParliament always brings up the issue ofTibet when there are Chinese guestspresent, and she said, "I assure you, thereare thousands of people in Europe thatfollow and support Tibet."She spoke about the importance of theinternational community giving back toTibet, saying that "Tibet gave such a largepresent to the world in the form of such arich culture."Concluding the ceremony, Kalon Tripathanked the speakers for traveling toDharamshala for the event. "You'vecovered a lot of distance, overcome jetlag, and experienced the height of themonsoon in Dharamshala, which has thesecond highest rainfall in India," he said."I'm really grateful."He expressed his ownadmiration and gratefulness for HisHoliness the Dalai Lama and his politicalleadership over the past 60 years, as wellas his hope that he can live up to HisHoliness' expectations in providingleadership to the Tibetan people.Kalon Tripa drew on uprisings aroundthe world, such as in Lybia and Syria whereunpopular leaders resist giving up power,to make a point about His Holiness'voluntary devolution of political power."We have a leader who willingly, despiteresistance from the people, despiteobjection, reservation, and anxiousness,which includes me, from the people, whois willing to forgo the political powerbecause he believes it's time," he said.He also made a point about key differencesbetween Tibetan politics and politicsaround the world. Unlike elections

elsewhere, Tibetan political candidates arefriends during the election and remainfriends afterward. Using an example fromhis own campaign, he spoke about thetime when, during the final election, heand a competitor shared a taxi ride fromDharamshala to Delhi, a hotel room, andbreakfast and lunch the next day."We have Buddhist principles to follow,"he said. "Hopefully some of you membersof Parliament will take a lesson from us,"he said, laughing.

Kalon Tripa emphasized that the TibetanAdministration has established a truefoundation for democracy, and expressedhope that other diaspora and exilecommunities can follow their model.In closing, he said that he appreciatedthat "we have friends all around the worldwho voluntarily provide help andsupport. That kind of support is genuine.The genuineness of your friendship isgreatly appreciated by all the staffmembers of the Tibetan Administration."

Tibetan Refugees Calling for Rights in Nepal


Dharamshala: Nepal's Tibetanpopulation, which currently numbers20,000, has urged the government ofNepal to address the rights of all refugeesin their new Constitution. TheConstitution is set to be released onAugust 31.According to a report by Zee News, headof the Tibetan Refugee Welfare Office(TRWO) in Kathmandu Thiley Lamamade the appeal to the government.The appeal came after eight people,called "Tibetans" by the media, werearrested in the past few weeks forattempting to get fake Nepali passportsor use fake documents to travel abroad.After investigating the identities of thosearrested with the Central TibetanAdministration, the Tibetan ReceptionCentre in Kathmandu and the Tibetanrefugee camp in Boudha, Lama claimedthat the eight were not actually Tibetans.Tibetans are now urging the governmentto begin issuing identity cards again toTibetan refugees living in Nepal.Currenty, Tibetan refugees living inNepal do not have rights. They canlegally be refused such basic services

Hundreds of Nepal polices deployed on 10 March, the Tibetan National Uprising Day,Kathmandu, Nepal. Photo: TPI

as registering their children at hospitals,opening bank accounts and attendingschool. Also, at this time they are notallowed by the government to work orrun businesses.Because of pressure from the Chinesegovernment, Nepal stopped issuingidentity cards to Tibetans in 1998. Chinasays the Tibetans living in Nepal are notrefugees, but illegal immigrants. Also dueto pressure from China, the TRWO wasshut down by the Nepalese governmentin 2005.The government of Nepal technicallyallows the safe passage of Tibetanstraveling from Tibet into India.According to Phayal, however,Wikileaks revealed earlier this year thatChina has financially rewarded Nepalisecurity officials who arrested Tibetanstrying to enter Nepal.In addition, Nepal blocked a programoffered by the United States in 2005 toresettle Tibetan refugees in the US, alsobecause of opposition by China."We request the government of Nepalto clearly address all refugee issues in auniform manner in the new constitution,"Lama told Zee News.

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