We Support MWA: Norwegian Parliamentarians
Ms. Tsomo Gyachungtsang, Ms. Heidi Sorensen, Mr. Ballo, and Chungdak Koren at the press conference |
Dharamsala 15 October: “We have learned that the Tibetan administration here has been very successful in following a democratic system of governance. And we are really surprised to see people still fleeing Tibet,” said Mr. Olav Gunner Ballo, MP and head of the Norwegian Parliamentary Group for Tibet.
Mr. Ballo who leads a Norwegian Parliamentary delegation was speaking at a press conference held here today.
The two-member delegation comprising of Mr. Ballo (MP) and Ms. Heidi Sorensen (MP) is on a seven-day visit to the hill town headquarters of the exile Tibetan administration beginning 10 October. They called on His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Kalon Tripa Samdhong Rinpoche yesterday. It also met with Mr. Pema Jungney and Ms. Gyari Dolma, the Chairman and Vice Chairperson respectively of the Assembly of the Tibetan Deputies.
Mr. Ballo said that he is very much supportive of resolution of the Tibet issue through dialogue and negotiations as proposed in the Middle Way Approach. The Norwegian government too, he said, supports the Middle Way Approach.
The delegation also interacted with the representatives of the various Non Governmental Organisations today and visited Tibetan schools and Reception Center for recent arrivals from Tibet.
Mr. Ballo had said before making the trip to Dharamsala that the visit would be useful for them to see and know the set up of the exile Tibetan community.
The Norwegian Parliamentary Group for Tibet was established in 1990. Its members include members of parliament (MPs) from all the political parties and they have attended World Parliamentarians’ Convention on Tibet held so far in New Delhi, Vilnius (Lithuania) and Washington DC. The group strives to champion the just cause of Tibet in the parliament and its current chairperson Mr. Ballo has on several occasions, on behalf of the group, raised the issue of Tibet during question and answer sessions in the Norwegian parliament.
The delegation is being accompanied by Tsomo Gyachungtsang, Amalia Carli and Chungdak Koren of the Norwegian Tibet Committee.