On October 21 more than 130 Tibet Support Groups (TSGs) from around the world signed a letter to the European Commission and other political leaders calling for the appointment of an EU Special Coordinator for Tibet.
The letter was signed and sent from the Fourth International Conference of Tibet Support Groups in Prague, Czech Republic.
The Conference, held 18 – 21 October 2003, was attended by 260 participants from 47 countries, including representatives from Africa, Asia and Latin America.
The text of the letter, TSG signatories and recipients follows below:
Letter from the Fourth International Tibet Support Group Conference, Prague, Czech Republic, 18 – 21 October 2003
c/o Keizersgracht 302
1016 EX Amsterdam
The Netherlands
21 October 2003
RE: Appointment of European Union Special Representative for Tibet
Dear Members of the Council, Prospective Members of the Council, President Prodi, Commissioner Patten, Secretary General Solana, and President Cox,
We, the 265 participants from 46 countries representing the international Tibet support group movement gathered in Prague, respectfully call on the European Union (EU) to appoint at a senior level a Special Representative for Tibet without delay.
We make this call bearing in mind:
- the two European Parliament (EP) resolutions calling for the appointment of an EU Special Representative for Tibet (15th January 1998 and 11th April 2002);
- the allocation in the EU budget for such an appointment; and
- the requests made by His Holiness the Dalai Lama for such an appointment in his address to the EP on 24th October 2001 and in his letters of 11th March 2002 to the Foreign Ministers of all 15 EU Member States.
The appointment of a EU Special Representative is in keeping with the EU’s approach to ensuring the effective implementation of EU policy and with its practice of promoting the resolution of conflicts in other regions, such as the Balkans, Caucasus and the Middle East. The value of creating such a position is well demonstrated by the US Special Coordinator for Tibet’s important contribution for that country’s policy formulation. The position has also played a central role in the development of multi-lateral strategies, the provision of humanitarian assistance, monitoring and promotion of human rights, and the development of diplomatic efforts.
The Tibetan struggle for freedom and human rights is a long-standing one, and its non-violent nature is exemplary in these times of increased violence and terrorism. Active multi-lateral engagement is necessary for the achievement of a lasting solution to this situation. The appointment of a EU Special Representative for Tibet would highlight the EU’s commitment to the peaceful resolution of conflicts. It would also demonstrate the European Council and Commission’s responsiveness to the strong and unwavering support for Tibet that exists among European citizens.
The situation of Tibet is now urgent. At the same time, the resumption of contacts between Envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Chinese Government after 10 years and the change of leadership in China present an important new opportunity for movement on the issue of Tibet. In September 2003, the European Commission highlighted promoting dialogue between the Dalai Lama and Beijing as a priority for the EU’s bilateral political dialogue with China. As such, the EU’s immediate appointment of a Special Representative for Tibet is an effective and practical way for the member states of the EU to further the process of dialogue and negotiations between the two parties.
We thank you in advance for paying serious consideration to this issue and look forward to receiving your positive response to this widely supported proposal.
Yours sincerely,
Amigos de la Culture Tibetana Argentina, Argentina
Australia Tibet Council, Australia
Australian Tibet Society, Australia
Tibetan Community of Australia NSW, Australia
Australia in Tibet Ltd., Australia
Austrian Committee for Tibet, Austria
Save Tibet, Austria
Tibet Solidarity Forum, Bangladesh
Les Amis du Tibet, Belgium
Canada Tibet Committee, Canada
Grupo de Apoyo a Tibet, Chile
Society for Croatia-Tibet Friendship, Croatia
TSG Split-Croatia, Croatia
Lungta TSG, Czech Republic
Olympic Watch, Czech Republic
Tibetan Community, Denmark
TSG Denmark, Denmark
Amigos del Tibet del El Salvador, El Salvador
Estonian Mahayana Institute, Estonia
Campaign for Tibet, Finland
Aide au Tibet, France
Association France-Tibet, France
Association France-Tibet 59/62, France
Association Drome Ardeche Tibet, France
Club Tibet de Strasbourg, France
Comite de Soutien au Peuple Tibetain, France
Comite de Soutien au Peuple Tibetain de l´Herault, France
Eco-Tibet France, France
Etudiants pour un Tibet Libre, France
Maison des Himalayas, France
Maison du Tibet, Tibet Info, France
Mos Amis de l´Himalaya, France
Passeport Tibetain, France
Reseau International des Femmes pour le Tibet, France
Tibetan Community in France and its Friends, France
Autodetermination-Tibet, France
La Trans Himalayenne pour le Tibet, France
Association of Tibetans in Germany, Germany
International Campaign for Tibet, Deutschland
Tibet Forum, Germany
Tibet Initiative Deutschland e.V., Germany
Tibet Initiative Deutschland e.V. Hamburg, Germany
Tibet Initiative Deutschland Munich, Germany
Tibetisches Zentrum e.V., Germany
Amigos del Tibet – Guatemala, Guatemala
Tibet Support Association, Hungary
Bharat-Tibet Sahyog Manch, India
Core Group for Tibetan Cause, India
Gu-Chu-Sum Movement for Tibet, India
Himalayan Committee for Action on Tibet, India
India-Tibet Coordination Office, India
India-Tibet Friendship Society, India
National Democratic Party for Tibet, India
Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, India
Tibetan Parliamentary and Policy Research Centre, India
Tibetan Womenś Association, India
Tibetan Youth Congress (Centrex), India
Tibet Support Group, Ireland
Israeli Friends of the Tibetan People, Israel
Association of Towns, Provinces and Regions for Tibet, Italy
Associazione Italia-Tibet, Italy
Casa del Tibet, Italy
CISL-Campagna di Solidarieta´com il Popole Tibetano, Italz
Tibetan Community in Italy, Italy
Tibetan Women´s Association, Italy
Tibet Support Network, Japan
Tibet Support Group, Kenya
Zida Cels, Latvia
Tibet-Unterstutzung, Liechtenstein
Tibetan Culture Foundation, Lithuanian
Les Amis du Tibet, Luxembourg
Casa Tibet, Mexico
Human Rights Organisation of Nepal, Nepal
International Campaign for Tibet Europe, The Netherlands
TSG Nederlands, The Netherlands
Friends of Tibet, New Zealand
Students for a Free Tibet Norway, Norway
The Norwegian Tibet Committee, Norway
Tibetan Community in Norway, Norway
Peruvian Tibetan Cultural Association, Peru
Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, Poland
Polish Movement for Free Tibet, Poland
Polish-Tibetan Friendship Association, Poland
Students for a Free Tibet Poland, Poland
Tibet Support Group Romania, Romania
Friends of Tibet Society-Buriat, Russia
Friends of Tibet Society-St. Petersbourg, Russia
Kalmyk Society of Tibet Friends, Russia
Tibetan Community Moscow, Russia
TSG Krasnodar Region, Russia
TSG Moscow, Russia
TSG Tuva, Russia
Lungta Slovakia, Slovakia
Tibet Support Group Slovenia, Slovenia
South African Friends of Tibet, South Africa
Tibet Society of South Africa, South Africa
Comite de Apoyo al Tibet (CAT), Spain
Casa del Tibet, Spain
Friends of Tibet, Sri Lanka
Students for a Free Tibet-Sweden, Sweden
Swedish Tibet Committee, Sweden
Associazione Ticino-Tibet, Switzerland
Games of Beijing Games, Switzerland
Porte du Tibet, Switzerland
Swiss-Tibetan Friendship Association, Switzerland
Tibetan Community in Switzerland, Switzerland
Tibetan Women´s Association- Switzerland, Switzerland
Tibetan Youth Association in Europe, Switzerland
Tibet Democratie, Switzerland
Department of International Affairs, DPP, Taiwan
Act for Tibet, United Kingdom
Edinburgh University Tibet Society, United Kingdom
Free Tibet Campaign, United Kingdom
ITSN Steering Committee, United Kingdom
Scotland Tibet Association, United Kingdom
Students for a Free Tibet, United Kingdom
Tibet Society of the UK, United Kingdom
Tibetan Community in Britain, United Kingdom
Bay Area Friends of Tibet, USA
International Campaign for Tibet, USA
International Tibet Independence Movement, USA
ITSN Steering Committee, USA
Kundrel, USA
Los Angeles Friends of Tibet, USA
Rangzen Alliance, USA
San Diego Friends of Tibet, USA
Students for a Free Tibet – USA, USA
The Dalai Lama Foundation, USA
Tibet Justice Center, USA
TIBETmichigan, USA
Tibetan Studies Society, USA
U.S. Tibet Committee
Recipients:
Mr Silvio Berlusconi, President of the Council of Ministers
Mr Franco Frattini, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Italy
Mr Wolfgang Schussel, Federal Chancellor, Austria
Mr Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Austria
Mr Guy Verhofstadt, Prime Minister, Belgium
Mr Louis Michel, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Belgium
Mr Vaclav Klaus, President of the Czech Republic
Mr Vladimir Spidla, Prime Minister, Czech Republic
Mr Cyril Svoboda, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Czech Republic
Mr Tasso Papadopoulos, President of the Republic, Cyprus
Mr George Iacovou, Mininster for Foreign Affairs, Cyprus
Mr Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Prime Minister, Denmark
Mr Per Stig Moller, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Denmark
Mr Arnold Ruutel, President of the Republic, Estonia
Mr Jurhan Parts, Prime Minister, Estonia
Ms Kristiina Ojuland, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Estonia
Mrs Tarja Halonen, President of the Republic, Finland
Mr Matti Vanhanen, Prime Minister, Finland
Mr Erkki Tuomioja, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Finland
Mr Jacques Chirac, President of the Republic, France
Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin, Prime Minister, France
Mr Dominique Galouzau de Villepin, Minister for Foreign Affairs, France
Mr Gerhard Schroeder, Federal Chancellor, Germany
Mr Joschka Fischer, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Chancellor, Germany
Mr Konstantinos Simitis, Prime Minister, Greece
Mr Giorgos Papandreou, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Greece
Mr Ferenc Madl, President of the Republic, Hungary
Mr Peter Medgyessy, Prime Minister, Hungary
Mr Laszio Kovacs, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hungary
Mr Bertie Ahern, Prime Minister, Ireland
Mr Brian Cowen, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ireland
Ms Vaira Vike-Freiberga, President of the Republic, Latvia
Mr Einards Repse, Prime Minister, Latvia
Ms Sandra Kalniete, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Latvia
Mr Rolandas Pakas, President of the Republic, Lithuania
Mr Algirdas Brazauskas, Prime Minister, Lithuania
Mr Antanas Valionis, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Lithuania
Mr Jean-Claude Juncker, Prime Minister, Luxembourg
Ms Lydie Polfer, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luxembourg
Mr Guidi De Marco, President of the Republic, Malta
Mr Edward Fenech Adami, Prime Minister, Malta
Mr Joe Borg, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Malta
Mr Jan P. Balkenende, Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs, The Netherlands
Mr Jaap G. de Hoop Scheffer, Minister for Foreign Affairs, The Netherlands
Mr Aleksander Kwasniewski, President of the Republic, Poland
Mr Leszek Miller, Prime Minister, Poland
Mr Vlodyimiery Cimoszewicz, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Poland
Mr Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, Prime Minister, Portugal
Ms Teresa Patricio Gouveia, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Portugal
Mr Janez Drnovsek, President of the Republic, Slovenia
Mr Anton Rop, Prime Minister, Slovenia
Mr Dimitrij Rupel, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Slovenia
Mr Rudolf Schuster, President of the Republic, Slovakia
Mr Mikulas Dzurinda, Prime Minister, Slovakia
Mr Eduard Kukan, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Slovakia
Mr Goran Persson, Prime Minister, Sweden
Mr Laila Freivalds, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sweden
Mr Tony Blair, Prime Minister, United Kingdom
Mr Jack Straw, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, United Kingdom
Prof. Romano Prodi, President of the European Commission, European Commission
Mr Christopher Patten, Commissioner for External Affairs, European Commission
Mr Javier Solana, Secretary General, European Council
Mr Pat Cox, President of the European Parliament, European Parliamen
