Tibet Support Group – Ireland is preparing to welcome Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to Ireland tomorrow (Tuesday 11th May) by asking: “When will Wen free Tibet?”
Wen Jiabao was appointed Premier in March 2003, his political career having survived a visit to hunger striking students in Tiananmen Square in 1989. “Wen Jiabao has shown that he is capable of political bravery,” said Neil Steedman of Tibet Support Group – Ireland, “and we call on him to demonstrate that courage again by advancing discussions on Tibet’s future with representatives of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in Exile. Wen has a genuine opportunity to break with China’s past policies, and show that the fourth generation of Chinese leaders can change China for the better forever.”
China accepted two visits to China and Tibet by two envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, in September 2002 and May/June 2003. The Dalai Lama is always of the view that regular contacts and face-to-face meetings will contribute to creating an atmosphere of mutual trust, understanding and respect. To expand on these two visits the Tibetan side requested last year for a third visit to be made by the envoys – but a response is still awaited from the Chinese side.
“Encouraging momentum towards dialogue was generated by these two visits, but the last was now almost one year ago, so that momentum is slowing,” added Neil Steedman. “We take this opportunity to welcome Premier Wen Jiabao to Dublin – and to urge him to again show political courage and to respond positively to the Tibetans’ request for a third visit.
“We also ask him to respond positively to the EU’s request made last February that the Tibetan lama, Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, will not be executed after the expiry in December 2004 of the two-year suspension of his death sentence and that a judicial review of his case be carried out.”
TSG-Ireland members will be welcoming Wen Jiabao to Dublin Castle at 5.30 pm on Tuesday 11th May 2004.
