By Lobsang Gyalpo
April 5, 2005—The Austrian postal service had initially planned to issue a postage stamp with His Holiness as the motif to commemorate his 70th birthday. However, because of pressure from the Chinese embassy on the Austrian government, this plan was shelved, although all the preliminary work on the design of the postage stamp had been completed.
Fortunately, it is possible in Austria for private citizens to order customized postage stamps obviously at a higher price. Upon hearing about the cancellation of the Dalai Lama postage stamp, an Austrian retiree, Mr. Heinz Stoff, contacted the Austrian postal service regarding placement of an order for a stamp on His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This stamp will be brought out to commemorate His Holiness 70th birthday as had been initially planned before the Chinese decided to spoil the party. The Chinese have protested again but this time to no avail. The Austrian postal service has informed them that “their hands are bound”.
The stamps will be officially worth 55 cents. Mr. Stoff has received orders for about 9000 stamps. For an order under 10,000 each stamp will cost Euro 1.16. For an order of 10,000 stamps each stamp will cost Euro 1.10.
Imagine sending mail to Chinese government officials with these stamps on the envelope. Obviously the stamps are only valid in Austria.
Orders can be placed by writing to kailash473@gmx.at
