My colleagues and I have the greatest respect for Secretary Albright, and we asked her to speak out publicly and raise his case in discussions with Chinese leaders on her trip to China. Along with my other colleagues in the Senate, I was asked to co-sponsor a resolution which calls on the Chinese government to release Mr. Choephel immediately and unconditionally. I have proudly added my name to the list of co-sponsors of this resolution which was introduced in the Senate on January 21st of this year. These efforts were initiated by Senator Moynihan and other leading members of the Senate, and I am truly pleased that I was part of a bi-partisan effort on this important issue. Relations with other powerful countries are by their nature complex, but we owe it to the people of Tibet and we owe it to ourselves as Americans to stress the importance of human rights as a cornerstone of all relations.
All people have a right to religious freedom.
The people of Tibet have that right, and they have a right to live in peace. The people of Tibet also have a right to live their lives in a dignified manner free of oppression. It is the sacred duty of all of us to make sure that happens. I applaud the efforts of those of you who have gathered here today to show the world that our vigilance does not sleep and to express solidarity with the people of Tibet. As long as people such as yourselves take a personal interest in the suffering of others, I have to believe that we will reach our goals of democracy and religious freedom for the suffering people of Tibet.