3rd WPCT, 23-24 April, 1997, Washington, D.C.
Moderator: Hon. Olivier Dupuis
Hon. Consiglio Di Nino: The stated purpose of this workshop is to discuss "how" to promote negotiations. The objective is to enable a meeting to take place in a neutral venue without preconditions, fully open and under international auspices with representation for each side. Canada passed a resolution calling for such a negotiation. Initiatives such as the one Denmark made in sponsoring a resolution at the UN Commission on Human Rights are useful.
Hon. Vicki Bourne: We must encourage grassroots efforts to mobilize governments. Parliaments can be effective by passing resolutions calling for negotiations; forming parliamentary groups for Tibet; getting parliaments to create Amnesty groups inside the parliament to take on every urgent action request (not just for China and Tibet) and in order to properly brief all parliamentary delegations on human rights issues, and assuring that foreign affairs committee take every opportunity to raise the issue of Tibet. Parliaments could also send parliamentary delegations to China and asking to travel to Tibet.
At the grassroots the following actions are recommended: Adopting prisoners of conscience; and writing letters. Organizing Tibetan Losar (New Year) celebrations to make the culture visible and commemorating the anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising will help in increasing media coverage.
Hon. S. Rinpoche: Tibetans are not on an equal footing. The Chinese leadership lack willingness to negotiate and they seem to see no need for negotiations. Also, there are no open channels for negotiation.
Hon. Olivier Dupius: I have a goal to send a petition to the UN Secretary General with signatures from 3000 parliamentarians calling for negotiations. The European Union (EU) last month passed a resolution calling for negotiations regarding Tibet. Similarly the EU has called for negotiations regarding Eastern Turkestan. Would like the EU to pass a negotiation on Mongolia. India is a key to negotiations and would like to see more pressure on India to assist with promoting negotiations.
Hon. Lauri Vahtre: There has to be an inner need for negotiations. How do we create this need is the question. Time often works, but Tibet is running out of time. The West should insist on more opportunities to visit Tibet, to bring photos and videos back. Such action should not be controversial and is something governments can do.
Hon. George Fernandes: The US and India are the two nations that can effect China. The US won't do it in the short run. India has always been ambivalent and has often shown cowardice rather than courage. The Satyagraha option should be explored further. It is not possible now for large groups to walk into Tibet since India and Nepal will not permit it. But Satyagraha can be practiced in front of Chinese embassies and institutions around the world.
Hon. Erkin Alptekin: The Uighurs also want to negotiate. China can prevent rising tensions in Tibet, eastern Turkestan and Taiwan by negotiating.
Hon. Ulrich Fischer: Last week all parties in the German Parliament criticized the government in Germany for not supporting a resolution at the UN Human Rights Commission. We need to address the fact that our own governments do not see the need for negotiations. We need to agitate our governments and convince them that their current policies are harmful in the long run.
Hon. Michael van Walt: I do not believe governments do not see a need to negotiate. They realize that a solution of the Tibet issue would remove a major diplomatic irritant to bilateral relations. We should emphasize this point.
Hon. Harald Ellefsen: The recent visit by Norway's Foreign Minister (without press and his own translator) was reflected in the Chinese press by headlines about Norway's recognition of Tibet as part of China. Chinese are very patient and we must therefore be very persistent.
Hon. S. Rinpoche: China has swallowed Tibet but cannot digest it. China's insistence that everyone proclaim Tibet to be part of China shows a lack of conviction. The Dalai Lama has never said that Tibet has no right to sovereignty. He insists on speaking the truth but is willing to give up sovereignty if negotiations are positive.
Hon. Bob Brown: We should heighten the awareness by emphasising the facts through clear language such as "Trade with China keeps the cell doors closed in Tibet."
Hon. Consiglio di Nino: China sees a need for negotiations in the court of public opinion. We should influence governments and corporations. Joint lobbying efforts of parliamentarians and grassroots activists would be helpful.
Hon. Hans-Pavia Rosing: There is a need to create a more effective network of parliamentarians. There is a need to explore negotiation techniques.
