French Town Holds Tibet Solidarity Day
Paris, 18 November: Within the framework of the International Solidarity Week organised by the municipality of Dunkerque, Mr Tashi Phuntsok, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, visited Dunkerque yesterday. Out of 169 towns hoisting Tibetan flag permanently in France, two are located in this area. Moreover, 22 towns of the region have been hoisting Tibetan flag on 10th March every year to show their solidarity with the Tibetan people.
Mr. Bernard Wesbecker, Mayor of Leffrinckoucke, the town which permanently hoists Tibetan flag, received Mr. Tashi Phuntsok at his office. As the Tibetan flag flew high atop the Town Hall beside the French flag, the two exchanged views about ways to help the Tibetan people. He assured that Tibet is high on his Green Party’s agenda and proposed to take further actions to help Tibet which he said, he has been doing since he was elected to the mayor’s post in 2001.
Later, at a cocktail reception at the Town Hall of Dunkerque the International Affairs director of the town assured that the town was doing its best to disseminate information on Tibet and participate in concrete actions through local Tibet related associations. Dunkerque has been hoisting the Tibetan national flag on 10th March every year atop the Town Hall since 1996.
This was followed by a talk in the town hall conference room on “How to Show Solidarity with Tibet”. Mr. Jean Marc Bruneel, President of Collectif Tibet-Dunkerque, a local Tibet support group, briefly explained the importance of supporting the Tibetan people. Mr Tashi Phuntsok thanked the gathering for the support to the cause of the Tibetan people. He said that Tibet today is facing a crucial moment as China is in its final stage of integration of Tibet. If no action is taken urgently, he said, the Tibetan people, with their unique identity – a part of humanity’s rich cultural heritage – will be lost forever. Through democracy, non-violence, justice, liberty, and truth – the values upon which the free world is built, the Tibetan people could be effectively helped, he added.
Mr. Tashi Phuntsok thanked the City Hall, its Mayor, Collectif-Tibet Dunkerque and its members, and all the participants for holding the event.
Report Courtesy – OoT, Paris