LOCATION: | Charles Lynch Room, Centre Block |
DATE: | February 6, 2001 |
TIME: | 10:30 |
SPEAKERS: | Mr. Thubten Samdup, president of Canada Tibet Committee |
Ms. Tenzin Yangdon, campaign spokesperson, Canada Tibet Committee | |
Mr. Antoine Dub�, Bloc Quebecois | |
Mr. Svend Robinson, NDP | |
Mr. Jason Kenney, Canadian Alliance | |
Mr. Irwin Cotler, Liberal |
In their letter to Prime Minister Chretien, the MPs refer to the importance of putting foreign policy rhetoric into action. " Tibet provides an opportunity to highlight Canada's international reputation as peacemaker and defender of human rights.... We must use our friendship with the Chinese and the Tibetan peoples to convene the negotiating process between them ".
" The CTC believes that civil unrest, land disputes and a " climate of fear " are poor indicators for secure investment anywhere in the world ", said Ms. Tenzin Yangdon, Campaign Spokesperson for the Canada Tibet Committee. " However, since Canada has developed such a positive relationship with China, it provides an appropriate opening for the Prime Minister to jump-start the stalled negotiation process between representatives of the Dalai Lama and Chinese authorities."
The Prime Minister's office has not responded to the Canada Tibet Committee's request for a meeting before his departure to China.
At the press conference, the full text of the parliamentarians' letter will be released, including the list of signatories. An exclusive announcement will also be made regarding His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Canada. |
For more information: | email: Mr. Thubten Samdup, (514) 867-6770 |
email: Ms. Tenzin Yangdon , (514) 483-4470 |