Senator Feinstein, Representative Lantos Seek to Safeguard Tibetan Cultural Autonomy

Senator Feinstein, Representative Lantos
Seek to Safeguard Tibetan Cultural Autonomy
May 9, 2001

Washington, 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a message to a new generation of Chinese leaders that the tired anti-Tibet rhetoric of China's founders is woefully outdated, and the Tibet people must be granted their freedom."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).