Text: Sen. Feinstein News Release on Proposed Tibetan Policy Act
(Bill to preserve "distinct identity" of Tibetan people)Senator Dianne Feinstein (Democrat from California) and Representative Tom Lantos (Democrat from California) introduced legislation May 9 designed "to safeguard the cultural, religious, linguistic and ethnic identity of the Tibetan people" and "to encourage dialogue between the Dalai Lama and officials of the People's Republic of China about the future of Tibet."
Feinstein said in a press release that her intent in introducing the Tibetan Policy Act is "to place the full faith of the United States government behind efforts to preserve the distinct identity and the cultural, religious and ethnic autonomy of the Tibetan People."
The proposed Tibetan Policy Act of 2001 calls for:
-- $2.75 million to be provided for humanitarian assistance for Tibetan refugees, scholarships for Tibetan exiles, and human rights activities by Tibetan non-governmental organizations.
-- U.S. support for Tibet consideration at the United Nations, including the participation of the Dalai Lama or his representative in organizations hosted by or under the auspices of the United Nations, and U.S. support for the appointment of a Special Working Group for Tibet.
-- The U.S. Ambassador to China to seek to meet with and request the release of the 11th Panchen Lama.
-- The Secretary of State to attempt to establish an office in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet.
-- The President and the Secretary of State to request the immediate and unconditional release of political or religious prisoners in Tibet; seek access for international humanitarian organizations to prisons in Tibet; and seek the immediate medical parole of Ngawang Choephel and other Tibetan prisoners known to be in ill health.
-- Clarification of U.S. policy goals for international economic assistance to and in Tibet, including enumeration of "Tibet Principles" for projects supported by international financial institutions and other international organizations.
-- Codification of the position of the Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues at the Department of State with specific responsibilities for promoting substantive dialogue between the Government of China and the Dalai Lama or his representatives; consulting with Congress; and coordinating U.S. government policy on Tibet.
-- The President and the Secretary of State to initiate steps to encourage China to enter into negotiations with the Dalai Lama or his representatives on the question of Tibet and the cultural and religious autonomy of the Tibetan people.
-- Reports to Congress regarding the status of negotiations between China and the Dalai Lama or his representatives and on steps taken by the President and Secretary of State to encourage such negotiations.
-- The United States to seek ways to support economic development, cultural preservation, health care, and education and environmental sustainability for Tibetans inside Tibet.
-- Ensuring that Tibetan language training is available for foreign service officers.
In the Senate, the legislation is being co-sponsored by Senator Craig Thomas (Republican from Wyoming), the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs, and Senators Patrick Leahy (Democrat from Vermont), Jim Jeffords (Republican from Vermont), Joseph Lieberman (Democrat from Connecticut), Carl Levin (Democrat from Michigan), Paul Wellstone (Democrat from Minnesota), Barbara Boxer (Democrat from California), Daniel Akaka (Democrat from Hawaii), Russell Feingold (Democrat from Wisconsin), Edward Kennedy (Democrat from Massachusetts), Robert Torricelli (Democrat from New Jersey), and Patty Murray (Democrat from Washington).
In the House of Representatives, the legislation is being co-sponsored by Representatives Mark Kirk (Republican from Illinois) and Benjamin Gilman (Republican from New York), chairman emeritus of the House International Relations Committee.
Following is the text of the press release:
(begin text)
Senator Feinstein, Representative Lantos
Seek to Safeguard Tibetan Cultural Autonomy
May 9, 2001Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Representative Tom Lantos (D-San Mateo) today introduced legislation designed to safeguard the cultural, religious, linguistic and ethnic identity of the Tibetan people and to encourage dialogue between the Dalai Lama and officials of the People's Republic of China about the future of Tibet.
"I have worked for the past 10 years to implore the Chinese leadership to enter into a constructive dialogue with the Dalai Lama." Senator Feinstein said. "But Beijing has consistently ignored promises to preserve indigenous Tibetan political, cultural and religious systems.
"I believe that the time has come for the United States government to increase our attention to enhanced Tibetan cultural and religious autonomy. My intent in introducing the Tibetan Policy Act is to place the full faith of the United States government behind efforts to preserve the distinct identity and the cultural, religious and ethnic autonomy of the Tibetan People."
The legislation provides a clear statement of the United States' intent to help preserve the distinct identity of the Tibetan people and offers the United States tools for formulating and implementing Tibet-related policies and for cooperating with other members of the international community.
"The Tibetan Policy Act of 2001 represents the most comprehensive piece of Tibet legislation since the Chinese invaded Tibet in 1959," Representative Lantos said. "Since I invited His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Congress in 1989, support for the Tibetan people in this country has grown. At the same time, China's efforts to wage a cultural war in Tibet have intensified, threatening the Tibetan people's identity and cultural integrity. I hope this legislation will help send a message to a new generation of Chinese leaders that the tired anti-Tibet rhetoric of China's founders is woefully outdated, and the Tibet people must be granted their freedom."
Specifically, the Tibet Policy Act of 2001:
Outlines Tibet's unique historical, cultural and religious heritage; the human rights, economic, and political practices of the People's Republic of China in Tibet; and the efforts by the United States, the Dalai Lama, and others to initiate dialogue with China on the status of Tibet.
Authorizes $2.75 million for humanitarian assistance for Tibetan refugees, scholarships for Tibetan exiles, and human rights activities by Tibetan non-governmental organizations.
Calls on the Secretary of State to make best efforts to establish an office in Lhasa, the Capital of Tibet.
Codifies the position of the Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues at the Department of State with specific responsibilities for promoting substantive dialogue between the Government of China and the Dalai Lama or his representatives; consulting with Congress; and coordinating U.S. government policy on Tibet.
Provides for U.S. support for Tibet consideration at the United Nations, including the participation of the Dalai Lama or his representative in organizations hosted by or under the auspices of the United Nations, and U.S. support for the appointment of a Special Working Group for Tibet.
Clarifies U.S. policy goals for international economic assistance to and in Tibet, including enumeration of "Tibet Principles" for projects supported by international financial institutions and other international organizations.
The U.S. Ambassador to China will seek to meet with and request the release of the 11th Panchen Lama.
Ensures that Tibetan language training is available for foreign service officers.
In addition, the Tibet Policy Act expresses the Sense of the Congress that:
The President and the Secretary of State should initiate steps to encourage China to enter into negotiations with the Dalai Lama or his representatives on the question of Tibet and the cultural and religious autonomy of the Tibetan people. Calls for reports to Congress regarding the status of negotiations and steps taken by the President and Secretary of State.
The focus of the U.S.-European Interparliamentary Group on Tibet should be to advance dialogue between China and the Dalai Lama or his representative
That the President and the Secretary of State should request the immediate and unconditional release of political or religious prisoners in Tibet; seek access for international humanitarian organizations to prisons in Tibet; and seek the immediate medical parole of Ngawang Choephel and other Tibetan prisoners known to be in ill-health.
The United States will seek ways to support economic development, cultural preservation, health care, and education and environmental sustainability for Tibetans inside Tibet.
In the Senate, the bill is cosponsored by Senators Craig Thomas (R-WY), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Jim Jeffords (R-VT), Joseph Lieberman (D-CT), Carl Levin (D-MI), Paul Wellstone (D-MN), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Russell Feingold (D-WI), Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Robert Torricelli (D-NJ), and Patty Murray (D-WA). In the House, the bill is cosponsored by Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Benjamin Gilman (R-NY).
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(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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