International Tibet Independence Movement demanding Hu Jintao grants Tibet's independence
FISHERS, Ind.- 4/17/06 - During Hu Jintao's visit to Seattle, Washington, D.C., and New Haven, leaders of the International Tibet Independence Movement (ITIM) and Jigme Norbu, son of Taktser Rinpoche (His Holiness The Dalai Lama's oldest brother), will demand that Hu Jintao swiftly grants Tibet's independence, and that he immediately releases Gendhun Choekyi Nyima, The Panchen Lama.

"In light of Hu Jintao's visit to the United States from April 18th to 21st, demonstrations have been organized in three cities by the Tibetan, Taiwanese, and East Turkistan freedom movements to express strong opposition to China's illegal occupation of Tibet and East Turkistan, and China's baseless desire to take over Taiwan," said Professor Larry Gerstein, President of ITIM.

"Hu Jintao must be reminded that Tibetans will never accept the 'Red Stars' controlling Tibet. We will only be satisfied when Rangzen is restored and our 'Snow Lion' Flag is proudly displayed on the roof of The Potala Palace in Lhasa," stated Tsewang Rigzin, ITIM Board Member. "Our people have experienced brutal and unspeakable acts of violence at the hands of China's leaders. Our Monasteries and environment have been devastated. Hu Jintao was ruthless when he served as China's leader of Tibet in the late 1980's," he said.

Another ITIM Board Member, Ngawang Norbu, reported, "It is auspicious timing that Hu Jintao and His Holiness The Dalai Lama are both visiting the United States during the next few days. President Bush has a golden opportunity to arrange a meeting between these world leaders and encourage them to establish a mutually acceptable strategy and timeline to return Tibet to the Tibetans. History will remember President Bush as a great peacemaker if he accomplished such an objective."

ITIM was co-founded in 1995 by Taktser Rinpoche and Professor Larry Gerstein to secure Tibet's independence through nonviolence.

For more information, contact Tsewang Rigzin (fight4tibet@yahoo.com;
360-213-9393) or Ngawang Norbu (sherpa@broad.mit.edu; 781-572-5611).

Larry Gerstein (317-506-2249, rangzen@aol.com)