Dear Members and Friends,

Many have asked whether His Holiness the Dahlai Lama has issued a statement regarding the violence in New York and Washington yesterday. What follows is a letter from His Holiness to President Bush. We send our sincerest condolences to the families and friends of the victims of yesterday's tragic events. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

In peace,
Minnie Cancellaro

Tibet Justice Center (formerly Int'l Committee of Lawyers for Tibet)

September 12, 2001

Your Excellency,

I am deeply shocked by the terrorist attacks that took place involving four apparently hijacked aircrafts and the immense devastation these caused. It is a terrible tragedy that so many innocent lives have been lost and it seems unbelievable that anyone would choose to target the World Trade Centre in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

We are deeply saddened. On behalf of the Tibetan people I would like to convey our deepest condolence and solidarity with the American people during this painful time. Our prayers go out to the many who have lost their lives, those who have been injured and the many more who have been traumatized by this senseless act of violence. I am attending a special prayer for the United States and its people at our main temple today.

I am confident that the United States as a great and powerful nation will be able to overcome this present tragedy. The American people have shown their resilience, courage and determination when faced with such difficult and sad situations.

It may seem presumptuous on my part, but I personally believe we need to think seriously whether a violent reaction is the right thing to do and in the greater interest of the nation and the people in the long run. I believe violence will only increase the cycle of violence.

But how do we deal with hatred and anger which are often the root causes of such senseless violence? This is a very difficult question, especially when it concerns a nation and we have certain fixed conceptions of how to deal with such attacks.

I am sure you will make the right decision.

With my prayers and good wishes,

Yours sincerely,
The Dahlai Lama

His Excellency Mr. George W. Bush
The President
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
USA

Minnie Cancellaro
Executive Director
Tibet Justice Center
formerly International Committee of Lawyers for Tibet
2288 Fulton Street, Suite 312
Berkeley, CA 94704
tel. (510) 486-0588
fax. (510) 548-3785
e: info@tibetjustice.org
w: www.tibetjustice.org

"In our struggle for freedom, truth is the only weapon we possess."
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama

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LINKS for Tibet

http://www.tibet.org/ Tibet Online is operated by the international Tibet Support Group community, providing information on the plight of Tibet and serving as a virtual community space for the movement. This movement is dedicated to bringing about substantive negotiations without preconditions between the Chinese and Tibetan Governments, so that they can find a solution which will bring an end to the suffering of the Tibetan people, in accordance with the people's right to self-determination.

http://www.savetibet.org/ International Campaign for Tibet - Save Tibet.

http://www.friends-of-tibet.org.nz/ Friends of Tibet New Zealand. This site provides information about occupied Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Tibetan news.

http://www.friends-of-tibet.org/ is Bay Area Friends of Tibet
We are a support group dedicated to assisting Tibetans in their struggle for self-determination and the preservation of their culture. We serve as a bridge between Americans and Tibetans.

http://www.tibetjustice.org/ The Tibet Justice Center (formerly ICLT) advocates self-determination for the Tibetan people. Through legal action and education, ICLT promotes human rights, environmental protection, and peaceful resolution of the situation in Tibet. A non-profit membership group, ICLT is supported by attorneys, other concerned individuals, and organizations.

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