Extracts. Historical Records Show Dalai Signed Telegram Supporting PLA Marching Into Tibet The Dalai Lama signed a telegram supporting the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) units marching into Tibet in the early 1950s, said a former official of the local government of Tibet before the peaceful liberation of the region in 1951. Ngapoi Nagwang Jigme, now vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua that the Dalai Lama welcomed the marching of PLA units into Tibet. So, there does not exist a situation where "China mobilized troops to invade and occupy Tibet" or "China exercised colonial domination in Tibet" as the Dalai Lama claimed outside China, he stressed. Ngapoi was entrusted by the Dalai and the local government of Tibet as the chief delegate to conduct talks with the central government. He said that on May 23, 1951, the central government and local government of Tibet signed the "Agreement on the Measures for the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet" and dispatched troops into Tibet. On October 24 the same year, the Dalai Lama sent a telegram to Chairman Mao Zedong, expressing his support for the agreement. Nagpoi said the Dalai's telegram was publicized through the media and up to now, it is still quoted by scholars in their writing. He said, "The Dalai Lama signed the telegram himself, and no body forced him to do so." A copy of the telegram is now kept in the Central Archives. Ngapoi recalled that after the founding of the Central People's Government, the 10th Panchen in Qinghai Province sent a telegram expressing his support to the central government. The majority of the local government of Tibet appealed for talks with the central government and most of the businessmen, urbanites, monks and ordinary people in Tibet all agreed with the peace talks, he said. It is under such a situation that the Dalai Lama and the local government of Tibet appointed Ngapoi and four other delegates to conduct talks with the delegates of the central government. Delegates of the both sides first did not agree with each other on the marching of PLA units into Tibet, Ngapoi said. Li Weihan, the chief delegate of the central government, explained to the delegates of Tibet: Tibet was invaded by imperialist forces time and again in history. The PLA units can not immediately march into the region in case something happens, because Tibet is remote and had limited road accessibility. It is illogical that on one hand, Tibet acknowledged it is part of China, and on the other hand, it did not welcome the powerful PLA units to strengthen the national defense, Li was quoted as saying. The five Tibetan delegates held that the enormous question of admitting Tibet to be a part of China had been settled, others were small problems. Finally, the two sides agreed on the PLA units marching into Tibet. On May 23, 1951, nine delegates from both sides signed the official version of the agreement. Later, the Dalai Lama expressed his support for the agreement. Ngapoi said the agreement is a document within the domain of national laws, which handles the relationship between the central government and the local government. The agreement was signed in line with the Common Program of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), adopted in September 1949 at the first plenary session of the CPPCC, according to Ngapoi. **** Dalai Can't Negate Validity of "17 Articles" Gyinzom Gyaincainpuncog, a former Tibetan government official who has played an important role in the peaceful liberation of Tibet, said the validity of the 17- article agreement is unquestionable. The central people's government signed a 17-article agreement on the peaceful liberation of Tibet with the local government of Tibet after repeated negotiations in 1951. The agreement was signed on a voluntary basis by both sides, Gyinzom Gyaincainpuncog said in an interview with Xinhua Tuesday. In view of Dalai's slander that the Tibetan representative was forced to sign the agreement, Gyinzom Gyaincainpuncog said, "This is sheer fabrication, " adding "Though I was not the signatory, I was a participant and witnessed the entire process of the signing of the agreement." Gyinzom Gyaincainpuncog, 76, used to serve as chief of Qamdo, a town of strategic importance in eastern Tibet and the adjutant to Ngapoi Nagwang Jigme and now acts as vice-chairman of the Tibet Regional People's Political Consultative Conference. Soon after the founding of new China in 1949, the central people's government ordered the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) to march into Tibet and notify the local government of Tibet to come to Beijing for negotiations on the peaceful liberation of Tibet. Owing to the interference of imperialists and some forces in Tibet, the negotiations failed. The PLA liberated Qamdo on October 19, 1950, opening a door for the liberation of Tibet. "In the early days when Qamdo was liberated, I couldn't understand the policies of the Communist Party and I distrusted and feared them. Soon after, I was moved by the strict discipline of the PLA��" Gyinzom Gyaincainpuncog said. Ngapoi Nagwang Jigme asked Gyinzom Gyaincainpuncog to send a letter to the Tibetan local government on the 13th day after the liberation of Qamdo, explaining the position of the central government on the peaceful negotiations. Gyinzom Gyaincainpuncog hurried on his journey for seven days and nights and gave the letter to the 14th Dalai Lama a week later. "After reading the letter, the Dalai called in senior officials and abbots of the three leading lamaseries for a meeting, during which a decision was made to send a five-member delegation headed by Ngapoi Nagwang Jigme to hold talks with the central people's government," he said. Then, Gyinzom Gyaincainpuncog headed for Beijing together with Li Weihan, a representative of the local government, and other delegation members for the negotiations. Through repeated consultations, the two sides signed the monumental 17-article agreement on May 23, 1951. In a telegram sent to Mao Zedong, chairman of the Central Committee of Communist Party of China, in October 1951, the 14th Dalai Lama said the 17-article agreement was reached on the basis of friendship between representatives of both sides. "The central people's government has provided economic aid and great care to Tibet over the past 50 years. I am a witness of development in Tibet," Gyinzom Gyaincainpuncog said. "The Dalai Lama himself should not negate the great changes in Tibet, he said, noting that the 'independence of Tibet' advocated by the Dalai clique has no future." **** DPRK, Bahrain Establish Diplomatic Ties The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has established diplomatic ties with Bahrain at ambassadorial level, said a joint statement released Wednesday. The statement said that desirous of strengthening the friendly relations and developing bilateral cooperation in different fields of mutual concern to both countries, the DPRK and Bahrain have agreed to establish diplomatic relations on the bases of mutual respect for the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs. Bahrain is the 152nd country to have formal diplomatic ties with the DPRK, said the statement. **** Jiang Zemin Writes Paean for Third World Academy of Sciences Believing that in the new century, the Third World Academy of Sciences will make new contribution to promoting Third World scientific undertaking, training young scientists and impelling South-South and global scientific and technological cooperation and exchanges characterizy and mutual benefit. At the request of Third World Academy of Sciences, Jiang Zemin, president of the People's Republic of China, has gladly written this paean: "In today's world, science and technology has become the decisive factor for economic and social development. To shake off poverty and realize development and prosperity, the Third World must rely on scientific and technological progress. The Third World Academy of Sciences has made important contribution in promoting scientific and technological development for various Third World countries, enhancing innovative abilities and strengthening extensive cooperation. It is worthy of the name of the academy of the Third World scientists themselves. I am fully confident that in the new century, the Third World Academy of Sciences will make new contribution to promoting the Third World scientific undertaking, training young scientists and impelling South-South and global scientific and technological cooperation and exchanges characterized by equality and mutual benefit." Founded on November 10, 1983 at the initiation of Professor Abdus Salam, the late Pakistani physicist and winner of the Nobel Physics Prize, the Third World Academy of Sciences is designed to promote South-South and South-North scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation and encourage extensive research and development of problems existing in the Third World countries, Professor Salam was the first president of the Academy. Since its establishment, the Third World Academy of Sciences has played an active role in boosting South-South and South-North scientific and technological cooperation and has thus been highly praised. The Third World Academy of Sciences presently boasts 589 academicians coming from 57 countries and regions around the world, of whomed by equalit 17 have won Nobel Prize. Academicians of the Third World Academy of Sciences are elected from among well-known scientists with the academies of sciences, national research councils, universities and research institutes of Third World countries. With a view to seeking development, promoting scientific and technological progress of the developing countries and expanding the influence of Third World Academy of Sciences, this academy recently called on State leaders of the developing countries to support its activities. Currently, State leaders of Brazil, Italy, Kuwait and Tanzania have published in succession paeans or statement expressing their support and encouragement for the positive role the Third World Academy of Sciences has played in propelling Third World scientific development and South-South cooperation. Over the past 10 years and more, China has all along been maintaining close relations and carrying out extensive cooperation with other Third World academies of sciences. Sixteen Chinese scientists have won Basic Science Prize, and two Chinese research institutes have won the Application Technology Prize, of the Third World Academy of Sciences. China has received more than 500 scientists from Third World Countries to come to engage in cooperative research in China, and financially supported over 4,000 Third World scientists to come to China to attend various types of international academic conferences and to participate in training class activities. In 1987, with the assistance of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Second Academicians Congress of the Third World Academy of Sciences was solemnly held in Beijing. The then Party and State leaders Deng Xiaoping and Li Xiannian separately met with Professor Salam, first president of the Third World Academy of Sciences. Seventy two Chinese scientists, including Lu Jiaxi, Wu Jieping and Zhou Guangzhao, have been elected academicians of the Third World Academy of Sciences, Lu Jiaxi, Zhou Guangzhao and Lu Yongxiang have been elected in succession to be vice-presidents of the Third World Academy of Sciences. **** Zhu's Five-Nation Tour Fruitful: Chinese FM Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan on Tuesday hailed the 12-day, five-nation Asian trip by Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji to Pakistan, Nepal, the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Speaking on the achievements of the tour, Tang said Zhu's trip was the first by a Chinese premier to the four South Asian countries and Thailand in the new century, representing a diplomatic move of profound significance at the beginning of the new century. He said that in talks with the heads of state and government, parliament speakers and main political party leaders of the five countries, Zhu reached consensus on the enhancement of bilateral relations, economic and trade cooperation, and maintenance of regional and world peace. Zhu also met businessmen and made key speeches on the status quo and future of China's economic and social development, China's peaceful foreign policy of independence, and further development of friendly cooperation with the five countries. Tang describes Zhu's tour as "a tour of friendship, pragmatism and cooperation," which helped in deepening mutual understanding, enhancing economic and trade cooperation, and consolidating traditional friendship and good neighborliness between China and those countries. During the just-concluded trip, Zhu reiterated China's willingness to seek closer ties with the five countries. Zhu held in-depth discussions with leaders of the countries on the strengthening of economic and trade cooperation, and explored ways to expand cooperation in other fields. During the trip, China signed with the four South Asian countries 14 cooperation agreements and memos on economy, technology, agriculture, tourism, telecommunications, energy and finance. Zhu summed up the experiences in developing ties between China and these countries into four principles, namely mutual respect, mutual understanding, mutual trust and mutual support. By mutual respect, Zhu said he meant the persistent pursuit of the five principles of peaceful coexistence, particularly the principle of mutual respect for each other's sovereignty and noninterference in each other's internal affairs. Mutual understanding would be realized as each side gives priority to maintaining and developing bilateral friendship while handling issues in bilateral relations, the Chinese premier said. By mutual trust, the premier said he meant that each side works consistently to develop bilateral relations despite changes in the world situation. Tang said solidarity and cooperation among Asian countries can help promote the cause of peace and development in the region as well as the entire world and Zhu's visit demonstrates China's wish to work with its neighbors and other Asian countries to face the challenges while seizing the opportunities the new age presents. **** Hezbollah Calls on Palestinians to Continue Uprising Lebanese guerrilla group Hezbollah's Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah has urged the Palestinians to continue their uprising against Israel, Lebanon's An Nahar newspaper reported on Wednesday. Addressing a rally showing support for the Palestinians Tuesday night, Nasrallah asked the Palestinians "not to pin their hopes on Arab leaders or the United States in their quest for statehood." "Only the Intifada (uprising) is the option for ending the Israeli occupation," he said. He warned of attempts by Arab leaders to "delude the Palestinians" with promises of a better future in return for an end to the Intifada. The Palestinians began the uprising last September against Israeli violation of an Islamic holy site in East Jerusalem and Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. "Just as we in Lebanon did not rely on Arab support, our brethren in Palestine should not either," he said. Meanwhile, he said that "we do not want to throw the Jews into the sea; we simply want them to go back to the countries they came from." Hezbollah spearheaded resistance against Israeli troops in south Lebanon before the Jewish state ended its 22-year occupation of the border strip a year ago. **** Israeli Army on Maximal Alert Along Border With Lebanon The Israel Defense Force (IDF) has been on maximal alert since Tuesday along the northern border with Lebanon for possible attacks by Lebanese Hezbollah marking the first anniversary of Israel's troop withdrawal from south Lebanon. The IDF soldiers had reduced the number of patrols along the border to reduce their vulnerability to possible Hezbollah attempts to attack or kidnap Israeli soldiers, Israel's Army Radio reported Wednesday, quoting a senior officer in the IDF's Northern command. The IDF pulled out its troops from south Lebanon on May 24 last year after a 22-year occupation. Hezbollah, or Party of God, is to commemorate the withdrawal on May 25, but the IDF is taking into consideration that attacks might occur before that date, especially in light of the weekend ahead, the officer said. The IDF's main concern is that Hezbollah will attempt to kidnap IDF soldiers, but the IDF is also concerned that Hezbollah might try to kidnap Israeli civilians too, he added. "We are not hysterical, not recruiting anyone, but we are aware of the sensitivity of the date...we know the threats of Hezbollah and of its leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah...We are on high alert for any incident," the officer told the radio. Despite the attention centered on disputed Shabaa Farms on the eastern sector of the border, the IDF is aware of the possibility that other sites might be targeted, said the officer. Israel insists that the Shabaa Farms captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast War belong to Syria under the United Nations declarations, but the area was claimed by Hezbollah as Lebanese territory. Three IDF soldiers have been killed and three others abducted by Hezbollah since the IDF left its bases in south Lebanon. On Tuesday night, Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres phoned U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and warned them to act immediately to prevent Hezbollah from attacking Israel's north from Lebanon. **** Falun Gong Re-education Camp Exposed to Foreign Media "What do you think of Falun Gong?" a journalist with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) asked two rows of "students" at a re-education camp for female Falun Gong practitioners. "I think it's an evil cult," "It's a cult," former practitioners said one after another in front of microphones and cameras. Suddenly, a woman said with a smile that "I still think it is good." The woman in her 40s looked strong and healthy. Other foreign reporters quickly came up to ask her questions. But the women's other fellow "students" showed no sign of being startled, because she was the only one in this group yet to be converted back to normal life. "Everyone of us was just as stubborn as she is when we first came here," one said. This was an episode Xinhua witnessed Tuesday at the 2nd Women's Unit of the Masanjia Re-educaton-through-labor Center near Shenyang, capital city of Northeast China's Liaoning Province. The Center is best known for its success in bringing the majority of the Falun Gong followers it accommodates back to normal life. It is also the most heavily attacked institution by Li Hongzhi and his organization headquartered in New York. The visit by foreign journalists marks the first ever exposure to foreign media of China's re-education-through-labor camps specially for Falun Gong practitioners. Also joining the tour were the Associated Press and NBC News from the United States, NHK from Japan, and Singapore Press Holdings. "It (the camp) is extremely open, and I am surprised that we are allowed this close access to the re-education camp," said Eric Campbell from the ABC. The 2nd women's unit of Masanjia has only two building, one for administrative use, the other contains dormitories and classrooms for the Practitioners. In between is a playground just the size of a basketball court. Dozens of inmates could be seen playing basketball there. In one office, a policewoman was trying to persuade a Falun Gong activist to abandon her obsession with Li Hongzhi and his heretic theories, with the help of two former activists already transformed. The woman named Xia Yulan, 49, a former lecturer at a Party school, claimed that Falun Gong represents the law of the universe. "What will happen if you persist in practicing Falun Gong inside the camp?" "I don't practice Falun Gong here, because I have to obey the rules here just as Master Li Hongzhi told us to observe the law and disciplines wherever we stay," Xia said. "Have you ever been beaten or suffered torture?" a journalist asked. "No," she said with a firm voice, adding that "policewomen here are very kind to me, they care for my daily life and I am very grateful to them." It has been alleged by Falun Gong organizations overseas that the Masanjia Re-education Camp, China's model camp for helping Falun Gong followers out of the mental control of Li Hongzhi, once undressed 18 of its inmates and tossed them into cells full of male prisoners. It was also claimed by the same organizations that disobedient inmates in Shenyang are beaten with electric batons, or sent to so called water cells or solitary confinement in a dark room. "This is sheer fabrication, it's outrageous, and it insults our women police," Su Jing, head of the faculty, told the foreign press group right after they arrived. "We even don't have a male prison or male camp nearby, and can any of you find a water cell or the so-called dark room here?" Su added when the group were visiting the facilities. Su has been acclaimed by former Falun Gong activists for treating them as "sisters who went astray and were victimized by the Falun Gong cult." For the same reason, she was called "devil head" by the Falun Gong cult. She has received threatening letters every day. Her home phone number has been posted on the Falun Gong websites to encourage harassment calls. Near the gate of the facility is a meeting room where five inmates were talking with their family, friends and colleagues. Visiting the 50-year-old associate researcher Li Fu from Shenyang University was vice-president of the university Liu Guiqin. Liu said that the university leadership is happy to know that Li has abandoned her obsession with Falun Gong and he expects her to come back to the university to work when she is out. "What brought you here?" the Associated Press writer asked Li. "I printed more than 1,000 copies of Falun Gong fliers," she said with a guilty smile. According to Zhang Chaoying, head of the Masanjia Re-education Camp, no one has been sent here merely for practicing Falun Gong. Printing Falun Gong fliers for dissemination is a minor offense according to a legislative decision on preventing and punishing cult activities. Explaining the legitimacy of the correction system, Zhang said that the administrative measure has strict legal procedures and a custody decision has to be approved by a regulatory committee for re-education-through-labor, composed of representatives from police, judicials, labor departments and labor unions, women's confederations and youth leagues. The whole execution process is supervised by public prosecutors. In classrooms, female police were lecturing on mental health, and laws on public demonstrations and protests. There were also many inmates who were attentively watching a video program on the origin of the universe. According to Su Jing, the faculty chief, Li Hongzhi propagates too many myths on the creation of the universe as a foundation for his mental control over practitioners. And the English-language program with Chinese captions shown was expected to teach his followers the truth. "The Falun Gong fallacies are mere deceptions," said Li Guoqin, in her 20s. At the conclusion of the three-hour interview, Ned Colt with the NBC said that what he saw here "appeared to indicate that the rumors are not reality." And Chew Juai Fong with the Singapore Press Holdings said later in his story that "Falun Gong's attacks are not true." John Leicester, the AP writer who speaks better Chinese than many Chinese do, said he has been writing Falun Gong stories for the past two years, but he has heard too much from the Falun Gong side. He said he is not going to say who is right or wrong, but will tell what he saw. Such stories will be "interesting," he said. _________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki Phone +358-40-7177941 Fax +358-9-7591081 http://www.kominf.pp.fi General class struggle news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe mails to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Geopolitical news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] __________________________________________________
