Today, the 14th March 2004, on the occasion of the commemoration of the 45th Uprising Day, over 600 people – Tibetans and their friends participated in a manifestation organised jointly by the Tibetan Community in France and Bureau du Tibet.
The main rally took place at the familiar Human Rights Square, Place du Trocadero in Paris. Mr Thupten Gyatso, President of the Tibetan Community, gave a short introductory speech and presented a programme of the day. Then Mr Tashi Phuntsok, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, read in Tibet the first paragraph of the His Holiness’ message. Mr Wangpo Bashi, Secretary of the Bureau du Tibet, read out the French translation of this message. Mr Lionnel Luca, President of the Tibet Group at the French Lower House, National Assembly, who purposely travelled from his constituency of southern France, gave a poignant speech in which he expressed his admiration at the non violent struggle of the Tibetan people and cited as Ngawang Sangdrol and Takna Jigme Sangpo have said : “Tibet’s cause is just”, and therefore, despite the fact that Franco-Chinese relations are important, no one in this country, birth place of human rights and French Revolution, can neglect the cause of the Tibetan people. He assured the support of the elected members and especially 100 MPs who have joined the Tibet Group.
Mr Patrick Bloch, Municipal councillor of Paris, expressed the sympathy and solidarity to the Tibetan people on behalf of the Lord Mayor of Paris, Mr Bertrand Delanoë, whom he said, has received officially His Holiness the Dalai Lama during last October’s visit to France.
The protestation march crying slogans in French : Freedom for Tibet, Justice for Tibet, Long Live the Dalai Lama, Tibet-China negotiations, Free Panchen Lama, France in support of Tibet, led by Mr Lionnel Luca and Mr Patrick Bloch advanced towards the street in the vicnity of the Chancery of the Chinese Embassy. 2 minute of silence in memory of 1.2 million Tibetans who lost their life for their country, was observed, after singing the prayer Calling for the Truth. The protest march then returned back to the Place du Trocadero where a written message of the following personalities was read out : Mrs Danielle Mitterrand, former First Lady, Mr Louis de Broissia, President of the Tibet Group at the French Senate, Mr Claude Huriet, founder of the Tibet Group at the Senate, and Mr Richard Cazenave, Vice President of the Tibet Group at the National Assembly.
The commemoration was concluded by a Tibetan hymn.
This report submitted by Wangpo Bashi, Paris.
Edited on teh 14th March 2004.
