27 Apr
2011
27 Apr
'11
10:45 a.m.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 27, 2011
Contact: John Estrella 202 530 4900 estrellaj(a)rfa.org
<mailto:estrellaj@rfa.org>
Rohit Mahajan 202 530 4976 mahajanr(a)rfa.org
<mailto:mahajanr@rfa.org>
Radio Free Asia Hosts First Interview with Exile Tibetan Prime
Minister-Elect Lobsang Sangay
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the declared winner of the Tibetan exile
government elections, Lobsang Sangay, gave Radio Free Asia's Tibetan
service his first interview since being named prime minister-elect.
During his interview at RFA's headquarters in Washington, Sangay
commented on the Dalai Lama's recently announced intention to retire and
hand political power to the next prime minister of the exile government.
"The Dalai Lama ... has decided to transfer political power to the
Tibetan people by entrusting whom they have magnanimously chosen as the
head of their exile government," Sangay said during an interview that
was webcast on RFA's Tibetan service's website. "We must respect the
wishes and wisdom of His Holiness and find ways to implement his
decision."
Sangay, 43, is a law researcher at Harvard University. He won 55 percent
of the vote in the March 20 election held around the world, defeating
two candidates, Tenzin Namgyal Tethong and Tashi Wangdu. Sangay will
relocate in May to Dharamsala, India, the seat of the Tibetan
government-in-exile, to begin establishing his cabinet before the
current office holder, Samdhong Rinpoche steps down on Aug. 14. Many
expect Sangay will play a more visible role, as the Dalai Lama this year
announced his intention of stepping down as political leader of the
Tibetan exile community.
RFA's Tibetan service provided extensive coverage of the exile elections
beginning last year in May with broadcasts via Internet, satellite
television, and shortwave radio on March 13 of a Kalon Tripa candidates
forum. Tibetans living within China's Tibetan regions also posed
pre-recorded questions to the candidates during the forum.
The event was part of a series of seven town-hall style debates in
Dharamsala and Bylakuppe, India, with general exile candidates, capping
off eight months of interviews, profiles, and discussions about the
race.
# # #
Radio Free Asia is a private, nonprofit corporation broadcasting and
publishing online news, information, and commentary in nine East Asian
languages to listeners who do not have access to full and free news
media. RFA's broadcasts seek to promote the rights of freedom of
opinion and expression, including the freedom to "seek, receive, and
impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of
frontiers." RFA is funded by an annual grant from the Broadcasting Board
of Governors.
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Rohit Mahajan
Media Relations Manager
Radio Free Asia
Email: mahajanr(a)rfa.org
Desk: (202) 530-4976
Cell: (202) 489-8021
www.rfa.org
