h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

New Year and good resolutions fast approach. Here's one you can do, won't take long, and may actually help.

In 2004, Ireland has the Presidency of the EU for the first six months. In February, senior Chinese officials come to Dublin for the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue ( which has made no significant difference to the plight of Tibetans, not to mention Uighurs, Chinese Falun Gong followers, "free" trade unionists, "free" journalists, unapproved Christian churches, environmental activists, advocates of democracy, etc.) under Chinese rule.

What You Can Do Now For Tibet:

Send a card to Mr. Bertie Ahern, TD, the Irish PM ( Taoiseach )
saying,

Dear Mr. Ahern,

Please implement the request made by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, on behalf of his six million Tibetan family, that the EU appoints a Special Representative for Tibet.


Best wishes
(NAME)
(POSTAL ADDRESS)


Address and post the envelope to:

Mr. Bertie Ahern TD
St Luke's
Drumcondra
Dublin 9
Ireland

NB. Bertie Ahern has been quite supportive of Tibet, but all the EU countries tend to hide behind each other, rather than rock the boat, or upset China.

Duly noted,and immenant attendance to your request

I did get a reply from my local MP (England) when I sent an e-mail as part of an online petition (part of a Greenpeace or Friends of the Earth thing I think) - Only Palace of Westminster marked envelope I've had

Anyway, my point being, _someone_ reads these things at least!

Noted and will act on

Thanks pdante and daSilva. If you can, spread the word and the action.

I'm on my way to the post box.

JTG

Is it still helpful doing this if one doesn't live in Europe?

I'd like to know that also.

Dear Kea and Abbi,

Yes indeedy, it is perhaps even more helpful if it comes from abroad, shows the scale of the interest. So, pen to paper and write a.s.a.p., and tell your friends, esp on h2g2.

Thanks,

Cheers and a very Happy New Year,

Chaiwallah.

Hope you have a Happy New Year too!

Happy new year to you too abbi (i'm just about to watch the film whence came your namesake.looking foward to it as it's sometime now since i've seen it <musicalnote"Puttin on the Ritz"
Posted my card just now One of Tibetan Prayer Flags(took some time to sort through three postcard albums ,but if you're going to do something every little helps

Thanks, pdante.

As you say, every little helps. And 1 real card posted to a politician is reckoned worth 100 emails, means that 10 probably almost wrote, and shows that at least 1000 people are directly concerned.

(pass it on)