TIBET FUNDING
TIBET PROGRAMS IN FY2011
» Senate Bill
» Final Bill: Chart of Programs
TIBET PROGRAMS IN FY2010
FY2010 State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill
» House Bill
» Senate Bill
» Final Bill: Chart of Programs
TIBET PROGRAMS IN FY2009
» Tibet Funding Omnibus
House Bill (H.R. 3081, approved by the House of Representatives on July 9, 2009)
SETTLEMENT REVITALIZATION
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Tibetan refugee settlement revitalization. The Tibetan refugee community includes long-staying refugees, many of whom left Tibet in 1959, and new refugees from Tibet, which have historically numbered about 2,500 annually. To support the policy of the United States to assist in the protection of the unique Tibetan identity, language, culture, and religion, the Committee recommendation includes $2,300,000 for revitalization of the refugee communities in India, Nepal, and Bhutan with a focus on workforce development and organic agriculture.
INSIDE TIBET GRANT PROGRAM
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(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, not less than $7,300,000 of the funds appropriated by this Act under the heading `Economic Support Fund’ should be made available to nongovernmental organizations to support activities which preserve cultural traditions and promote sustainable development and environmental conservation in Tibetan communities in the Tibetan Autonomous Region and in other Tibetan communities in China.
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Tibet. The Committee recommendation includes $7,300,000 for assistance for programs that preserve cultural traditions and promote economic development and environmental conservation in Tibetan communities, to be administered by USAID. The Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues should play an active role in the allocation of funds for programs and activities in Tibet, as authorized by Public Law 107-223. USAID should consider the work of The Bridge Fund.
TIBETAN REFUGEE ASSISTANCE, NEPAL POLICY
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Tibetan refugees. The Committee recommends not less than $2,500,000 from this account for Tibetan refugees in Nepal and India. The Committee remains concerned about the plight of Tibetan refugees transiting through Nepal to resettlement in India, and in particular the decision by the Government of Nepal to bar the reopening of the Tibetan-run offices in Kathmandu that provide vital services to refugees. The Committee welcomes efforts by the Department of State and the United States Embassy in Kathmandu to work multilaterally with other governments on Tibetan issues in Nepal and urges the Secretary to press the Government of Nepal to ensure the safe transit of Tibetan refugees and to respect the full rights of, and provide legal protections to, Tibetans residing in Nepal.
NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR DEMOCRACY
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…of which not less than $250,000 shall be for human rights and democracy programs relating to Tibet:
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In addition, $250,000 shall be made available for the training and education of Tibetans in democracy activities and for monitoring the human rights situation in Tibet. The Committee supports the use of these funds for activities that have their primary impact inside Tibet, to the extent practicable. The Committee recommends that NED consult with the Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues at the Department of State on implementation of its programs related to Tibet.
TIBETAN SCHOLARSHIP AND EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
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Exchanges with Tibet. The Tibetan Fulbright Scholarship Program has provided support to almost 300 Tibetan students and professionals seeking higher education and professional training at United States universities. The Committee strongly supports these exchanges with Tibet and has included the $750,000 requested for the Tibetan Scholarship Program in fiscal year 2010. In addition, the Committee recommendation includes not less than $650,000 for the Ngwang Choephel Fellows program, which is the same as the request.
SPECIAL COORDINATOR FOR TIBETAN ISSUES
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Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues.–The Committee recognizes the important role played by the Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues in implementing Tibet programs and policies. The Committee urges the Secretary to continue to provide support for the Coordinator to carry out the broad responsibilities detailed in section 621(d) of Public Law 107-228, as well as for convening coordinating meetings for appropriate United States Government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and representatives of the Tibetan leadership.
TIBETAN LANGUAGE SERVICES OF RFA AND VOA
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Radio Free Asia (RFA)
The Committee recommendation includes $36,648,000 for Radio Free Asia, which is $729,000 above the fiscal year 2009 program level and the same as the request. The Committee strongly supports the broadcasting efforts to China, Tibet, Burma, Vietnam, North Korea, Laos, and Cambodia. The Committee commends the BBG and Radio Free Asia for the surge in VOA and RFA Tibetan broadcasts undertaken in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 and includes the funds requested to maintain those broadcast levels through fiscal year 2010.
INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTION CONDITION
Sec. 7070. (a) Tibet-
(1) The Secretary of the Treasury should instruct the United States executive director to each international financial institution to use the voice and vote of the United States to support projects in Tibet if such projects do not provide incentives for the migration and settlement of non-Tibetans into Tibet or facilitate the transfer of ownership of Tibetan land and natural resources to non-Tibetans; are based on a thorough needs-assessment; foster self-sufficiency of the Tibetan people and respect Tibetan culture and traditions; and are subject to effective monitoring.
Senate Bill (S. 1434, approved by Senate Appropriations Committee, July 9, 2009)
INSIDE TIBET GRANT PROGRAM
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(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, not less than $7,500,000 of the funds appropriated by this Act under the heading ‘Economic Support Fund’ should be made available to nongovernmental organizations to support activities which preserve cultural traditions and promote sustainable development and environmental conservation in Tibetan communities in the Tibetan Autonomous Region and in other Tibetan communities in China.
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Tibet. The Committee recommends $7,500,000 for activities implemented by NGOs which preserve cultural traditions and promote sustainable development and environmental conservation in Tibetan communities in the Tibetan Autonomous Region and in other Tibetan communities in China. The Committee intends these funds to be awarded competitively to multiple grantees.
Proposals. The Committee is aware of proposals from the following organizations, which shall be considered in full and open competition, and in accordance with all applicable rules and regulations:
The Bridge Fund – To support programs related to the preservation of cultural traditions and the promotion of sustainable development and environmental conservation in Tibet.
TIBETAN REFUGEE ASSISTANCE
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Tibetan Refugees. The Committee supports assistance for Tibetan refugees who have fled their homeland and are in transit in Nepal or resettled in India.
NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR DEMOCRACY
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Tibet. The Committee recommends $250,000 for programs and activities in Tibet.
TIBETAN SCHOLARSHIP AND EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
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$750,000 designated for Tibet Fulbright scholarship (chart).
$650,000 designated for Ngwang Choephel Fellows (chart).
SPECIAL COORDINATOR FOR TIBETAN ISSUES
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Tibet. The Committee recognizes the important role played by the Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues in implementing Tibet programs and policies. The Committee urges the Secretary of State to continue to provide support for the Coordinator in carrying out the broad responsibilities detailed in section 621(d) of Public Law 107-228, as well as for convening coordinating meetings for appropriate U.S. Government agencies, NGOs, and representatives of the Tibetan leadership.
TIBETAN LANGUAGE SERVICES OF RFA AND VOA
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Tibet. The Committee recommends sufficient funding to continue RFA and VOA Tibetan language services.
INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTION CONDITION
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Sec. 7071. (a) Tibet-
(1) The Secretary of Treasury should instruct the United States executive director to each international financial institution to use the voice and vote of the United States to support projects in Tibet if such projects do not provide incentives for the migration and settlement of non-Tibetans into Tibet or facilitate the transfer of ownership of Tibetan land and natural resources to non-Tibetans; are based on a thorough needs-assessment; foster self-sufficiency of the Tibetan people and respect Tibetan culture and traditions; and are subject to effective monitoring.