Letter from the Kashag to the three Hunger Strikers
1 May 2004
President
Tibetan Youth Congress
New York
Dear Dolma Choephel la, Sonam Wangdu la and Gyatso la,
We note with deep sadness that the three of you are in critical condition and that Dolma Choephel la became unconscious and was taken to a nearby hospital.
On behalf of the Kashag, I am writing this to you to request you to end your hunger strike. When the Kashag came to know about the indefinite hunger strike that the three of you started, Kalon Tripa, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, in an interview to the Voice of Tibet, said that he would request the three of you to call off the hunger strike. The Kashag would formally like to make the same request and appeal to you to end your hunger strike.
While we disagree with the method you have adopted in bringing international attention and concern to the issue of Tibet, we would like to express our deep admiration for your courage, patriotism and your single-mindedness. However, we feel that these are the very qualities that the Tibetan people need to carry forward our non-violent struggle and to sustain it. These are the qualities that need to be channeled in a positive way so that the three of you can become role models for the new generation of Tibetans who have the same aspirations to live in dignity in our own country.
There is widespread concern in the international community and in the Tibet world on your health. It is the Kashag’s firm conviction that the three of you can be of better service to the Tibetan people by living and by contributing your talent and dedication in sustaining the growth of our community and people.
Just as we respect your enormous commitment to the cause of the Tibetan people, we urge you to respect our appeal by ending your indefinite hunger strike.
We are also appealing to the Tibetan Youth Congress, the organisers of the hunger strike, to call off the hunger strike. The Tibetan Youth Congress is a highly respected organisation in our community and through the years, it has galvanised the energies of the Tibetan youth into positive channels. We hope the Tibetan Youth Congress will convince the three hunger strikers to end their indefinite hunger strike.
Your sincerely,
SIGNED: (Thupten Lungrig)
KALON
THE KASHAG