Press Release - 10 March 2004

[LONDON] On Tibet Day, Sunday 7 March, ex-political prisoner Takna Jigme Sangpo (i) was joined by hundreds of Tibet supporters marching from the Chinese Embassy to Whitehall, to demand that Tony Blair pushes for a just and peaceful end to the illegal Chinese occupation of Tibet. Jigme Sangpo and Free Tibet campaigners delivered a letter to Downing Street urging the Prime Minister to press China's new Premier, Wen Jiabao, during his upcoming UK visit in May (ii) to end China's prevarication over recently stalled talks and enter into unconditional negotiations with the democratically elected Tibetan Government in exile (iii). The letter calls on the Prime Minister to rethink his decision, citing "diary pressures", not to meet the Dalai Lama during his visit to London in May. Tibet Day 2004 marks the 45th anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising in which tens of thousands of Tibetans were killed by illegal Chinese occupying forces.

Anne Callaghan of Free Tibet Campaign said: "If the Prime Minister is serious in his desire for British foreign policy to promote global peace and stability, he must acknowledge the Tibetans' persistent pursuit of a peaceful and negotiated settlement to the Tibetan issue. Blair must meet the Dalai Lama during his visit to London in May and also press China to restart the stalled talks with the Tibetan Government in exile when he meets Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao this spring."

The Tibetan Freedom March starts from the Chinese Embassy, 49-51 Portland Place, W1. Assemble from 11am, march begins at 11.30am with a rally in King Charles St SW1 at 1pm. A cultural event will take place at Westminster Cathedral Hall (Ambrosden Ave.) SW1 from 2.30pm. Tibet Day is organised jointly by the Office of Tibet London, the Tibetan Community in the UK, Students for a Free Tibet, the Tibet Society and Free Tibet Campaign.

Notes to Editors:
i) Takna Jigme Sangpo was released from prison in March 2002 after serving 20 years of a 28 year sentence. He had spent the majority of the previous 40 years in prison for political activities and peaceful protest. His sentence was extended after he shouted slogans calling for Tibetan freedom during a visit to his prison by a Swiss delegation in 1991. His release followed a long international campaign by Tibet organisations and human rights groups. Takna is now 76 and is currently living in Switzerland.
ii) Wen Jiabao is expected to visit the UK in May, but dates have yet to be officially confirmed.
iii) In September 2002 China invited two envoys of the Dalai Lama to Lhasa and Beijing for "talks about talks". A second visit took place in June 2003 but China has so far refused to confirm dates for a third visit. Free Tibet Campaign is calling for a stepping up of international pressure to ensure that China does not derail this non-violent peace process. Progress may be achieved once Taiwanese elections have passed.