3rd WPCT, 23-24 April, 1997, Washington, D.C.
Following Communist China's invasion and occupation of Tibet, the United States Government, both the Administration and the Congress, not only expressed deep concern, but also provided practical and concrete assistance to Tibetan freedom fighters. On the diplomatic front, the United States voted in favour of the three United Nations General Assembly resolutions on Tibet in 1959, 1961 and 1965.
In the Congress today, the Tibetan issue envoys bipartisan support. Although there is no formal group on Tibet in the Congress, there are many Senators and Representatives who have continued to evince keen interest in the Tibetan issue. The Congress has passed several resolutions condemning China's denial of human rights to the Tibetan people. Congress has also enabled the Tibetan people to receive practical support; it legislated the establishment of Tibetan services by the Voice of America and Radio Free Asia, provided scholarships to Tibetan refugees to study in the United States under the Fulbright scholarship program, and provided humanitarian assistance to Tibetan refugees, including through the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.
In a way, the United States has two policies on Tibet; while the Administrative believes Tibet to be a part of China (interestingly no Administration official to date has been able to produce documents showing how this policy was formulated), the Congress has passed a resolution recognizing Tibet to be an "occupied country under the established principles of international law."
The United States supports unconditional negotiations between His Holiness the Dalai Lama or his representatives and the Chinese leadership on solving the Tibetan issue. It has also cosponsored resolutions on Tibet and China at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.
