WRITTEN QUESTION E-2122/99 by Reinhold Messner (Verts/ALE) to the Council. Appointment of a Union special representative for Tibet.
18. 7. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 203 E/139 (2000/C 203 E/176) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2122/99 by Reinhold Messner (Verts/ALE) to the Council (29 November 1999) Subject: Appointment of a Union special representative for Tibet The Council is surely aware of Parliamentís resolutions of 13 July 1995 (1), 15 January 1998 (2), and 14 May 1998 (3) on the situation in Tibet. In addition to condemning the illegal Chinese invasion and occupation of Tibet, the resolutions explicitly call on the Council and Commission to appoint an EU special representative for Tibet, who would be áresponsible for doing everything possible to carry out the Unionís demands as regards the civil and political rights situation in Tibetí. Parliament, the Commission, and numerous European Prime Ministers have assured the Dalai Lama that they care about the human and civil rights situation in Tibet and wish to see genuine negotiations opened between the Dalai Lama and the Chinese authorities, with no preconditions on either side. Furthermore, Parliament has repeatedly asked for news of the worldís youngest political prisoner, Gedhun Choeky Nyima, the 10-year-old Tibetan boy abducted by the Chinese authorities at the age of 6 after the Dalai Lama had recognised him to be the latest reincarnation of Tibetís second most important spiritual leader, the Panchen Lama. 1. Will the Council take the practical policy step of appointing a Union special representative for Tibet? 2. Will the Union act on the promises made to the Dalai Lama as regards the human rights situation in Tibet and the opening of genuine negotiations between the Dalai Lama and the Chinese authorities? Can the Council exert pressure on the Chinese authorities to secure the release of Gedhun Choeky 3. Nyima, Nawang Chophel, and Nawang Sandrol, now being held as political prisoners? (1) OJ C 249, 25. 9. 1995, p. 162. (2) OJ C 34, 2. 2. 1998, p. 169. (3) OJ C 167, 1. 6. 1998, p. 223. Answer (24 January 2000) 1. The Council has taken good note of the resolutions of the European Parliament concerning Tibet. It has raised the Unionís concerns over the situation in Tibet in its meetings with the Chinese and, in particular, in the human rights dialogue with China. That dialogue, which was resumed in 1997, is not just a means to promote respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It aims to produce concrete results in terms of an improvement of the situation on the ground. For the Council this dialogue could produce more substantive results than the appointment of a special representative for Tibet. 2. One of the objectives of the Union, in discussing rights of minorities in different regions of China, is indeed the encouragement of dialogue between the Chinese Government and the Dalai Lama, hoping that such a dialogue can lead to an increased autonomy of Tibet. The Union has used every opportunity to raise this issue and will continue raising it with the Chinese side at Ministerial and official level. 3. The Council also raises individual cases with the Chinese, and presses for release of political prisoners. Gedhun Choeky Nyima, Nawang Chophel and Nawang Sandrol have been included in the list submitted and discussed with the Chinese earlier this year