Foreign Relations Authorization Act Includes Feinstein-Lantos Provisions to Safeguard Tibetan Cultural Autonomy

Washington, DC -- The Foreign Relations Authorization Act, which the President signed into law yesterday, includes provisions sponsored by U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Representative Tom Lantos (D-San Mateo) that safeguard the cultural, religious, linguistic and ethnic identity of the Tibetan people and to encourage further 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 not lived up to 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."

"By including this provision in the final act, the Congress is putting 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."

"Just this path month, a delegation of Tibetan envoys has made an official visit to China - their first such visit since 1985," Senator Feinstein said. "This visit offers a glimmer of hope in this troubled relationship, and I think the United States should do everything it can to encourage greater dialogue and discussion between China and the Dalai Lama."

The provisions, which were originally introduced in the Senate as the Tibet Policy Act of 2001, would:

Support the aspirations of the Tibetan people to safeguard their distinct identity.

Encourage the President and Secretary of State to urge China to enter into negotiations with the Dalai Lama or his representative.

Require that a separate section on Tibet be included in any relevant report by the Administration to Congress.

Calls on the Secretary of State to make best efforts to establish an office in Lhasa, the Capital of Tibet.

Codify 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.

Clarify 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.

Direct the U.S. Ambassador to China to meet with and request the release of the 11th Panchen Lama, and calls for U.S. Government officials to call for an end to Chinese interference with the religious affairs of the Tibetan people.

Ensure that Tibetan language training is available for foreign service officers.

Amend the Congressional-Executive Commission China to include consideration of Tibet issues.

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.

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, Feinstein's original bill was 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 was cosponsored by Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Benjamin Gilman (R-NY).