For Immediate Release:

April 9, 2008

For More Information, Contact:

Andrea Wuebker/Laena Fallon

SENATOR GREGG PRESSES SECRETARY RICE ON OPENING A U.S. CONSULATE IN TIBET

Washington, DC—In the wake of recent crackdowns on protesters in Tibet by the Chinese government, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations Judd Gregg (R-NH) today issued the following statement regarding the need to open a United States Consulate in Lhasa.

"It is in the interests of the United States and people of Tibet to establish a U.S. Consulate in Lhasa, particularly given recent protests in Tibet, the United Kingdom, France, and elsewhere.

“Today at the Subcommittee’s hearing, I encouraged the Secretary of State to make this a priority, and suggested that we may want to condition the opening of additional Chinese consulates in the U.S. on the opening of an American Consulate in Tibet.

“The crackdown on protests in Tibet should not become an Olympic sport for China's security services.  There are no gold medals for repression."