US Senator Marco Rubio marked Losar, the Tibetan New Year, by reaffirming United States of America’s support for Tibetan rights. He also announced the appointment of a senior official to handle Tibetan issues. The move was warmly welcomed by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) in McLeodganj.
The Central Tibetan Administration thanked the US leadership for the decision. It further added that it hoped the appointment would strengthen efforts to protect Tibetan religious, cultural and linguistic identity and encourage dialogue on Tibet.
In its statement issued to coincide with Losar and the starting of the Year of the Fire Horse, Rubio extended greetings to Tibetans around the world. “I extend my warmest wishes to all those celebrating Losar, the Tibetan New Year. On this first day of the Year of the Fire Horse, we celebrate the fortitude and resilience of Tibetans around the world. The United States remains committed to supporting the unalienable rights of Tibetans and their distinct linguistic, cultural, and religious heritage,” Rubio shared.
He further said, “I wish Tibetans everywhere a healthy and prosperous year ahead. Losar Tashi Delek and Happy New Year!” Rubio also announced the appointment of Riley M. Barnes, Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, as the United States Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues. The position involves coordinating US policy on Tibet, including matters related to human rights, religious freedom and preservation of culture.
Tibet continues to be a sensitive issue in US-China relations. The United States has repeatedly expressed support for protecting Tibetan religious and cultural identity. China, however, maintains that Tibet is its internal matter.
India also closely watches developments related to Tibet, as it hosts the 14th Dalai Lama and a large Tibetan exile community. The Central Tibetan Administration functions from McLeodganj in Dharamsala, where Losar is celebrated widely every year.
Welcoming the appointment, the Central Tibetan Administration said that, in line with the Tibet Policy Act and other US laws on Tibet, it hopes Assistant Secretary Barnes will lead US efforts to resume dialogue between the Dalai Lama or his representatives and the Government of the People’s Republic of China. It also hopes he will work to protect the unique religious, cultural and linguistic identity of Tibetans and support humanitarian programmes for the sustainable development of the Tibetan exile community.
Karma Choeying, Secretary of the Directorate of International Relations of the Central Tibetan Administration, said, “We are indeed grateful to President Donald J Trump and Senator Marco Rubio for this important appointment and congratulate Assistant Secretary Riley M Barnes on his new role as the US Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues.”
He further said, “The people and the Government of the United States have been among the strongest supporters of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan cause, and we have always received consistent and bipartisan support in the US Congress. We remain grateful to the Government and people of the United States.”
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