First of all I would like to wish you all a Happy Tibetan New Year- Losar- Year 2137, Year of the Iron Tiger, which falls on 14th February. May this year bring positive changes for Tibet.
Although many countries have been putting pressure on China to come to a lasting solution with Tibetan representatives, so far nothing concrete has eventuated. Since 2002, when talks restarted, representatives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama have met with their Chinese counterparts nine times. We understand that during the seventh round, China asked the Tibetan side to produce a concrete proposal. This they did on the following round, presenting China with a Memorandum, in which every point is guaranteed under the Chinese Constitution, but China flatly refused to discuss this, which shows that she is not serious in finding a lasting solution for Tibet. You can read the full text of the Memorandum on our website www.friends-of-tibet.org.nz As many of you know, the latest round of talks was held in late January this year. Again, it was all words and no substance from China. This time, China has made more demands from the Tibetan side. They know that these will not be acceptable by the Tibetan people. As well, China seems intent on discussing only the possible return to Tibet of His Holiness. This is not the main purpose of these meetings.
Over the past few years, China has been putting much pressure on foreign governments, New Zealand included, not to meet His Holiness when he visits their countries, and many are buckling to those demands. It is ironic that China criticises other governments for “interfering in China’s internal affairs”, yet has no problem in poking its nose in the affairs of other countries. The latest example is China has removed the University of Calgary from their accredited list because the university
awarded His Holiness an honorary Doctorate last year. International governments must not give in to China’s bullying tactics.
US President Obama is due to meet His Holiness in the near future: let’s hope that he stands his moral grounds on which the United States were built.
It was with mix feelings amongst all Tibetans that we learned the passing away of Ngapo Ngawang Jigme in Beijing on December 2009. He was nearly 100 years old. He was the one of the Tibetan government’s delegation that were send to negotiate with China’s “peaceful Liberation of Tibet” he was made to sign the 17 Point Agreement in 1951 under duress. He worked for the Chinese Government until his death in December 2009.  (read brief article on Ngapo Ngawang Jigme in this newsletter)

10th March-Tibet Uprising Day: 10th March will be commemorated in various ways throughout New Zealand, as well as the rest of the free world. Please check with your local branch for activities. Phone numbers are below or see the local branch news.
With best wishes and Tashi Delek,
Thuten Kesang,
National Chairman.