‘Host international conference on Tibet,’ Congressmen urge Secretary Hillary
Phayul[Monday, August 13, 2012 11:03]


DHARAMSHALA, August 13: Two senior US Congressmen have sent an open letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urging Washington to organise an international conference on Tibet as an effective means of expressing concern over the humanitarian crisis in the region.

Congressmen James P McGovern and Frank R Wolf said, “more visible, public and coordinated diplomacy is necessary for the Chinese government to feel pressure to alter its conduct.”

While appreciating earlier efforts put in by US officials with regards to human rights situation in China and Tibet, the two Congressmen asserted that Washington “can and must significantly increase diplomatic and international pressure on the Chinese government to reverse the crisis in Tibet.”

They also suggested that the United States play a leadership role in organising “periodic, public meetings with a handful of other governments” on Tibet.

“We believe some European governments, including Germany and the Czech Republic, as well as Canada, are aware of such ideas, and that the United States should capitalise now on their interest,” the letter reads.

“The upcoming United Nations General Assembly meeting in September perhaps offers an opportunity to take steps towards forming such a contact group.”

The Congressmen noted that such initiatives were necessary, regardless of upsetting Beijing, at a time when diplomats, journalists, and other observers are being blocked from entering Tibet.

“As the United States continues to “pivot” towards Asia, it is important that the US demonstrate that it is not deaf to the desperate appeals for help and support emanating from Tibetans,” Congressmen McGovern and Wolf asserted.

“We strongly urge you to work with partner nations and establish a contact group on Tibet to carry out strong, visible public diplomacy on this human rights crisis.”

Since 2009, there have been 48 known cases of Tibetans setting themselves ablaze protesting China’s continued occupation of Tibet and demanding the return of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama from exile.

Congressman Wolf in a statement earlier this year had said that the free world was “horrified” by the string of self-immolations of Tibetans in response to the abuses suffered at the hands of the Chinese government.

He urged the US government to “champion” the cause of Tibet in their time of need.

Last month, during an annual forum of regional foreign ministers, Secretary Clinton reportedly urged her Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi to engage in dialogue with the Dalai Lama.