[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 29 (Monday, March 10, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2091-S2092]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




COMMEMORATING THE MASSACRE OF TIBETAN CIVILIANS BY THE CHINESE MILITARY 
                           ON MARCH 10, 1959

 Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate March 
10, 1959, a dark day in history for all of us. It was on this day that 
Chinese troops viciously attacked and murdered 87,000 Tibetan civilians 
who sought to protect their beloved Dalai Lama, a man whose love of 
peace is known to all of us. The pattern of intimidation and human 
rights abuses by the Chinese Government against the people of Tibet, 
unfortunately, continues today. It is quite frankly unsuitable for a 
country like China which seeks status as a responsible member of the 
community of nations.

[[Page S2092]]

  The Chinese pattern of intimidation is especially seen in the case of 
Ngawang Choephel, a former Fulbright scholar at Middlebury College and 
friend of the United States. Last December, Chinese officials sentenced 
Mr. Choephel to an 18-year prison term for supposed espionage 
activities. This is an outrage.
  In January I joined with other Members of the Senate in writing a 
letter to the new Secretary of State Madeleine Albright expressing our 
concerns about Mr. Choephel's sentence. We requested that she raise Mr. 
Choephel's case in discussions with Chinese leaders on her trip to 
China.
  I also cosponsored a resolution which calls on the Chinese Government 
to release Mr. Choephel immediately and unconditionally. I am pleased 
to be a part of a bipartisan effort on this important issue.
  Relations with other powerful countries are by their nature complex, 
but we owe it to the people of Tibet and we owe it to ourselves as 
Americans, to stress the importance of human rights as a cornerstone of 
all relations. All people have a right to religious freedom. The people 
of Tibet certainly have that right, and they have a right to live in 
peace. The people of Tibet also have a right to live their lives in a 
dignified manner free of oppression. It is the sacred duty of all of us 
to make sure that happens.
  I applaud the efforts of those who are gathering today in New York 
for Tibet National Uprising Day to show the world that vigilance does 
not sleep and to express solidarity with the people of Tibet. As long 
as people such as those who are coming together today in New York take 
a personal interest in the suffering of others, I have to believe that 
we will reach our goals of democracy and religious freedom for the 
suffering people of Tibet.

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