New Delhi October 30 – A cross-political delegation from the Norwegian Parliament led by Vice President of Parliament, Olav Gunnar Ballo (Labour party) will visit Tibet from 9-17 November. The delegation include Olav Akselsen (AP), Solveig Horne (FRP), Sonja Sjøli (H), May-Helen Molvær Grimstad (Christian People’s Party), Rune Skjælaaen (SP) and Gunvald Ludvigsen (V).
In addition to Lhasa, the delegation will visit Gyantse and Shigatse. They will also travel to Beijing. The program in Tibet includes discussions with a number of representatives from local authorities, visit to a school and religious sites.
”The purpose of the visit is to increase knowledge of the political, economic and social conditions in Tibet” said Mr Olav Gunner Ballo.
The delegation aims to have a broad dialogue, including issues related to human rights, during their meetings with local representatives. The delegation asked China to allow a Tibetan interpreter from Norway on the visit but was turned down.
“This is the first official delegation from any country after the March protests and I hope that the delegation will understand that their program will be severely controlled by the Chinese authorities,” said Chundak Koren of the Norwegian Tibet Committee. “We were happy that we had the opportunity to brief the delegation on the real situation in Tibet.”
