Tibetan leader-in-exile thanks US for migrants’ visas

Dharamsala, June 28 (IANS) Tibetan prime minister-in-exile Lobsang Sangay Friday thanked the US Senate for passing a landmark comprehensive immigration bill, which enables creation of 5,000 immigrant visas for Tibetans settled in India and Nepal.

“I have had the opportunity to meet with several senators from both parties (Republican and Democratic) and I’m deeply grateful for their support for the inclusion of the Tibetan provision in the immigration bill,” Sangay said in a statement here.

“I now hope the Senate bill will receive support in the House of Representatives as well,” he said.

US Vice President Joe Biden, who presided over the roll call from the Senate’s dais, Thursday afternoon announced that the immigration bill had been approved by 68 to 32 in the 100-member chamber, more than the majority needed to send the measure to the house.

Officials of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), which is headquartered in this north Indian hill town, said among many provisions of the bill one is creation of 5,000 immigrant visas for Tibetans settled in India and Nepal over a three-year period.

The Tibet-related provision received broad bi-partisan support and was introduced by Senator Dianne Feinstein and cosponsored by Chairman Patrick Leahy and Senator Chuck Schumer, an official said.

He said Sangay, whose prime minister’s post has acquired added stature with Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama stepping down from diplomacy and active politics, had visited the US three times since assuming the office.

In his meetings with various congressional leaders and their key aides, Sangay and his staff had pressed the case for Tibet and Tibetans, including with regard to immigration issues.

Buddhist monk arrested in Kham Province of Eastern Tibet

Dharamshala: On July 1 2013, Lobsang Gedun, a 20 year-old monk from Dzongsar Monastery was arrested in Tsawa Pashoe County, Kham Province of Eastern Tibet at around 10:00 am (Tibetan local time).

"During the celebration of the Founding Anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party, Gendhyum rose in the middle of the recital of the Chinese National Anthem and began to shout slogans like "Long Live His Holiness the Dalai Lama' and 'independence of Tibet' and expressed his resistance against the Chinese oppression," said Shetsa Lobsang Tenpa from south India, citing sources in the region.
Sources to The Tibet Post International said that after protesting for 5-6 minutes, the Chinese army assembled at the venue and arrested Gedun and since then, his whereabouts are unknown.

Following the arrest, several restrictions have been imposed in the Tsawa Pashoe and Chamdho region. Lobsang Gedun is from Gura County and his father's name is Kalsang and mother's name is Palzom and his layname is Gyadho.
According to Tibetan poet and blogger Woeser, Tibetans in Chamdho must display photographs of top Chinese leaders in their house  with a Tibetan traditional white scarf as a symbol of respect. Monasteries in the region have also been forced to fly the Chinese national flag.

Dalai Lama wants to meet ailing Nelson Mandela

10:50, 3 July, 2013

YEREVAN, JULY 3, ARMENPRESS: Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama wants to pay his respects to his ailing friend and former South African president Nelson Mandela. As reports Armenpress referring to Dna, the spiritual leader last week expressed concern over the deteriorating health of Mandela, saying "everybody is praying now".

"His Holiness (the Dalai Lama) is keen to pay respects to his long-time friend Nelson Mandela, provided it doesn't cause any inconvenience to anyone, individuals or the government there," an aide of the Dalai Lama told IANS.

"If South Africa is comfortable with his visit, he would be happy to meet personally Mandela's family members," he added.

The 94-year-old Mandela has been hospitalised in Pretoria for the past three weeks for a recurring lung infection.

Last time the Dalai Lama met Mandela was Nov 5, 2004 in Johannesburg, according to a post on Dalai Lama's official website.

The Dalai Lama has lived in exile in India since fleeing Tibet after a failed uprising in 1959.