International Community Congratulates Dr. Lobsang Sangay on the occasion of his inauguration

Senator Joseph Lieberman

I am pleased to extend my deepest congratulations to Dr. Lobsang Sangay on the occasion of his inauguration as the democratically-elected Kalon Tripa. The United States has a natural bond with and affinity for fellow democracies, and so the progress of Tibetan democracy - of which today marks an important milestone - brings our two peoples closer together. Guided by the Kalon Tripa’s political leadership and the spiritual wisdom and leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, I am confident that the Central Tibetan Administration will continue to thrive in the years ahead. I offer warm wishes to the people of Tibet - both those living in Tibet and those in exile - as you celebrate this historic event.
 

Senator Barbara Boxer

I would like to extend my congratulations to Dr. Lobsang Sangay on the historic occasion of his inauguration as the democratically elected prime minster, or Kalon Tripa, of Tibet's government-in-exile.

In March 2011, nearly 50,000 Tibetans around the world cast their votes in a groundbreaking election for the next Kalon Tripa. This election took place in the wake of the Dalai Lama's announcement that he would be devolving his authority as Tibet's political leader to the Tibetan exile government that the Dalai Lama had worked toward for decades. In April 2011, Dr. Lobsang Sangay was declared the winner of this election - garnering 55 percent of the votes and defeating two other candidates.

Dr. Sangay's achievement is the culmination of many years of tireless work on behalf of the Tibetan people, including bringing together Chinese and Tibetan scholars in an effort to foster dialogue and greater understanding.

I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Sangay when he testified at a Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee hearing I chaired in April 2008 on Tibet, and I was struck by his passion and commitment to bringing peace and stability to the Tibetan people.

As the new Kalon Tripa, Dr. Sangay will take over the political leadership of a Tibetan community that is preserving an ancient culture while embracing democracy. I look forward to working with him in his new role.

Dr. Sangay's inauguration marks an important step for all Tibetan people, including those living in Tibet where their basic rights and freedoms have for too long been curtailed.

I send my warmest congratulations to Dr. Sangay on his inauguration as the next Kalon Tripa and join with Tibetans living around the world to celebrate this monumental occasion.
 

Congressman James McGovern

Speech in the House of Representatives - August 1, 2011

Mr. Speaker, on August 8, 2011, in Dharamsala, India, the home of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government in exile, Tibetans from around the world will gather for a historic occasion, the inauguration of their democratically elected Prime Minister (Kalon Tripa).

On March 20, 2011, tens of thousands of Tibetans living in countries around the world went to the polling booths to elect their next prime minister and parliament of the Central Tibetan Administration. Thousands of Tibetan-Americans across the United States also participated in these historic elections, including from my home state of Massachusetts.

In April, Dr. Lobsang Sangay was declared the winner. He has Bay State roots. Raised as a stateless Tibetan refugee in India, his parents saved to get him an education. Through the U.S.-funded Tibetan Scholarship Program, he entered studies at Harvard University. He got a law degree there and stayed on as a research fellow for many years.

The 43-year-old Lobsang Sangay takes over as chief executive of the Central Tibet Administration at a critical point, as much of the political responsibilities for the Tibetan community in exile now reside on his shoulders. In March 2011, the Dalai Lama announced his decision to devolve his political authority to the elected leadership. These changes were ratified by the Tibetan parliament in May.

At a time when autocrats around the world are clinging to power, the Dalai Lama's voluntary effort to give up power is remarkable. It is the culmination of a decades-long process of nurturing the development of democratic institutions in the Tibetan exile community. This stands in stark contrast to the reality that neither Tibetans in Tibet, nor anyone in China, are allowed fundamental democratic freedoms or free elections. What the Tibetans have accomplished is worthy of our attention and respect.

I had the chance to meet Lobsang Sangay when he came to Capitol Hill in July 2011, during the Dalai Lama's visit to Washington. I look forward to his return to discuss ways the United States can help Tibetans in their endeavor to find a solution for the Tibet issue.

On the occasion of the inauguration of the next Kalon Tripa, Dr. Lobsang Sangay, I send my warm wishes to the Tibetan people and congratulate them on their democratic achievements.
 

Lech Walesa

President of the Republic of Poland 1990 - 1995; Laureate of the Nobel Peace Prize 1983

Dear Prime Minister,

Through the last 50 years, despite the extremely difficult position, His Holiness the Dalai Lama tirelessly led his compatriots in exile, on the road to democracy. His decision, to relinquish his political power in March 2011, was an another consistent step on this road. The Tibetan Diaspora has created basic institutions characteristic to a system of a free state, which at its core has independence of the legislative, executive and judiciary powers. This is all the more admirable because Tibetans have been deprived of statehood during the bloody pacification committed by the Chinese People's Liberation Army in 1959 and thus they were forced to build from the basics new state structures in exile.

My many conversations with the Dalai Lama confirm my belief, that the Polish road to freedom and democracy, despite the unquestionable differences, is an inspiration for Tibetans. Symbolism of the given testimony and political efforts of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and The Central Tibetan Administration remind me of the times when Polish insignia together with the Polish Government in Exile were in London. I believe that as Poles managed in 1989, that Tibetans will manage in the future to break the wall, which divides them from freedom.

On March 20th Tibetans scattered around the world elected, thanks to the decision by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, a new political leader - the Prime Minister. Unfortunately their compatriots, who live in the Peoples Republic of China, are deprived of the opportunity to vote, what I sincerely regret. For the newly elected Prime Minister of the Central Tibetan Administration, Dr Lobsang Sangay, I wish that you will speak for all the Tibetan people. To accomplish this, I wish you the consequence in the work for Sino- Tibetan dialogue and a peaceful activity, which should win for the cause of Tibet the benevolence of democratic world.

Sincerely yours,
Lech Walesa
 

Fabian Hamilton

Chairman, All Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet (United Kingdom)

Dear Dr Sangay

On behalf of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet I am sending out congratulations and all good wishes for your inauguration as Kalon Tripa on Monday 8 August. I am only sorry that I was unable to witness what will undoubtedly be an historic occasion as you are sworn in as the first elected secular Kalon Tripa of the Tibetan government in exile. We look forward to working with you in the future and doing as much as we can to help you bring about constructive progress towards freedom for the Tibetan people, something we all wish to see.

I very much hope to meet you in Dharamsala in early October, when I will be bringing out a group of British MPs as part of Tibet Society's exchange programme with the Tibetan Parliament in exile. Philippa Carrick, CEO of Tibet Society, is making the arrangements and will be in touch with your office to see if we can arrange a meeting.

It would be wonderful if you could visit the UK in the autumn after our parliament returns from its summer recess in October. I would like to extend a formal invitation for you to meet the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet when you are in the UK. Working with Tibet Society, we would also do everything possible to arrange a meeting with the Foreign Minister, Foreign Office officials and MPs during your time in the UK.
Once again, many congratulations on your election and inauguration into the office of Kalon Tripa and much good luck in your new role. I look forward to meeting you in person soon.

Yours sincerely
Fabian Hamilton, MP