TIBET PROGRAMS

Fiscal Year 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill

TIBET SECTION IN BEIJING, SPECIAL COORDINATOR OFFICE

Statement of managers language

The Department of State shall provide up to $1,000,000 to establish a Tibet Section within the United States Embassy in Beijing, People’s Republic of China for the purposes of following political, economic, and social developments inside Tibet, including Tibetan areas of Qinghai, Sichuan, Gansu, and Yunnan provinces, until such time as a United States Consulate in Tibet is established. This section shall have the primary responsibility for reporting on human rights issues in Tibet, shall work in close cooperation with the Office of the Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues, and the Tibet Section Chief should be of senior rank. In addition, $1,000,000 is recommended to support the Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues.

Tibet.- the Secretary of State should ensure that the Department of State, USAID, and the Broadcasting Board of Governors allocate funds provided in this bill for Tibetan programs in a manner that reflects the commitment of the United States Government to the Tibetan people in the areas of democracy promotion, refugee assistance, scholarships, exchange programs, and radio broadcasts in Tibet.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN TIBET (ESF)

Bill text, page 175

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.

Statement language

Tibet.-The bill provides $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 1 07-223. Organizations involved in China rule of law programs should seek opportunities to conduct programs that can improve the human rights situation and the administration of justice in Tibetan areas, including Tibetan areas outside the Tibetan Autonomous Region. USAID should consider the work of The Bridge Fund.

RADIO FREE ASIA/VOICE OF AMERICA

Statement language

Sufficient funds are available in fiscal year 2009 to continue VOA and RFA Tibetan broadcasts at the fiscal year 2008 surge levels.

EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE

Statement language

Tibetan Fulbright program: $750,000
Ngwang Choephel Fellows program: $650,000

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR DEMOCRACY

Bill text, page 17

For grants made by the Department of State to the National Endowment for Democracy … $250,000 shall be for programs and activities in Tibet.

Statement language

Further, $250,000 is provided for human rights and democracy programs relating to Tibet.

NEPAL

Statement language

Tibetan refugees. The Department of State should work with the Government of Nepal to ensure the safe transit of Tibetan refugees and to respect the rights of, and provide legal protections to, Tibetans residing in Nepal.

INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

Bill text, page 174

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.