BROWN MEETS THE DALAI LAMA

[Oquist, Ben (Sen B. Brown)]

12 November 1999



BROWN MEETS THE DALAI LAMA


Australian Greens Senator Bob Brown had a fifty minute audience with the
Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, India, last evening. 

Senator Brown briefed the Dalai Lama on his 2-week secret visit to Tibet in
July.  This included concerns that the proposed World Bank funded diversion
of the Xiangride River in Northern Tibet will be an 'environmental
disaster'.  The project threatens large wetlands including nesting sites for
the black-necked crane.

Senator Brown described the discrimination against Tibetans by China's
military authorities.  He also told of the ubiquitous Tibetan desire for
freedom and the return of His Holiness to Lhasa.  He said that western
governments who 'cosy-up' to Beijing do not reflect the huge support for a
free Tibet in countries like Australia.

Earlier Senator Brown met members of the cabinet of Tibet's Government in
exile.  Last week he visited refugee camps in Nepal and Nepal's Minister for
Home affairs.

Senator Brown met many refugees who have just crossed the Himalayas on foot
to escape Chinese rule.  'Their stories are harrowing'.  China deserves much
greater condemnation for its ruthless policies in Tibet.  He is now meeting
community groups to discuss the campaign for Tibet's freedom.  He will
arrive back in Australia on Friday night.

----------------------------------------------
You can now receive Greens Senator 
Bob Brown's media releases by e-mail.
Go to www.greens.org.au 
and sign up to the 
'Greens-Media' opt in e-mail list.
----------------------------------------------
Ben Oquist
Greens Senator Bob Brown
Parliament House, Canberra 2600
Australia
+61 2 62773170 ph
+61 2 62773185 fx
www.tassie.net.au/bobbrown
---------------------------------------------