ITSN Asia regional meeting kicks off in Dharamsala

Dharamsala( Agencies)- Three day-long International Tibet Support Network's Asia regional meeting begins in Dharamsala today, attended participants from about 11 different countries, such as India, Bangladesh, Japan, Taiwan, and Kenya etc. to discuss the strategic plan of their common support for the Tibet cause. The meeting begins with the briefing by Prof. S. Rinpoche, Kalon Tripa. At the inaugural function, which held close door, DIIR Kalon, secretaries, and other dignitaries attended.

According to the sources present there, this meeting is to give a common platform to Tibet supporters from Asia. This is a second of its kind held in Dharamsala.
On the opening session of the conference Kalon Tripa Samdong Rinpoche spoke on current status of relationship between the Central Tibetan Administration and the Chinese leadership and future priorities, reported TGiE's official media.
Describing that dialogue with Chinese government as an important and indispensable process, Kalon Tripa reiterated that the Central Tibetan Administration would sincerely and genuinely pursue the contacts. He further elaborated on the development of the relationship with China, as well as numerous Tibetan public involvement in the evolution of Tibetan dialogue process. He especially highlighted the changes noticed in the recent Fifth Tibet Forum.
While speaking on the future priorities, Kalon Tripa reiterated CTA's policy on TSG that is a voluntary entity independent of CTA with freedom to choose its own course of action. The Central Tibetan Administration and His Holiness the Dalai Lama will never interfere in the workings and chalking out programmes of the Tibetan support groups, he was quoted as saying.
Recalling His Holiness' statement that TSG is the Fifth refuge of the Tibetans, Kalon Tripa expressed profound gratitude to the Tibet support groups for their active work, which he said sustains the Tibet movement.
Kalon Tripa pinpointed certain matters of concern and important issues. In the recent times many western governments have become vulnerable to give into Chinese government's more assertive attitude, bordering on arrogance, and pressures for obvious economic reasons. He urged the TSG is to resist the Chinese government bullying not only non-violently, but firmly. Otherwise, it would create difficulty to the Tibet movement and the free movement of His Holiness the Dalai Lama around the world.
Concluding his update, Kalon Tripa summed that until now the support for Tibet by and large has been based on public sympathy and love for justice. This, he said, is not enough. Now efforts should be made to translate that position into a state where the Tibet issue will become a national interest of the Tibet supporters.
Fifty-two people, including TSG members and observers are attending the meeting