Panel tell about Tibet's relations with China

After surviving 33 years of torture and suffering in a Chinese-run Tibetan prison, Palden Gyasto was still able to smile as he retold his tale to more than 100 people Tuesday night in Houston Hall. Gyasto, a Tibetan monk, participated on a panel arranged to garner support for Tibetan independence from China. The other two panelists of the evening were Thubten Jigme Norbu, an elder brother of the 14th Dalai Lama, and Larry Gerstein, a psychology professor at Ball State University. The three are participating in a peace march that is bringing attention to the situation of the Chinese occupation of Tibet. The march began in Washington, D.C. March 10 and will finish April 25 in New York. Norbu, the first speaker of the evening, opened up his speech by attacking the idea of Tibet belonging to China. "Chinese propaganda lies to the world," he said. "Tibet is a part of China? That is completely wrong." He then elaborated on the cultural, linguistic and racial differences between the Tibetans and the Chinese. "We drink our tea with butter," Norbu said. "The Chinese run away from butter." But the highlight of the evening was Gyasto as he described his experiences as a political prisoner of China. Gyasto, through an interpreter, described how he was imprisoned in 1959 for speaking out against Chinese occupation. He added he was also subjected to torture and weekly interrogations as the Chinese attempted to force him to accept China's occupation of Tibet. "I was hung from the ceiling with my hands behind my back over a fire or I had boiling water poured on me," he said. Gyasto also displayed some of the torture devices popularly used by the Chinese, such as electric prods. One experience he shared with the audience related how a prod was shoved in his mouth. He lost consciousness, and when he awoke, all of his teeth were gone. "We wish to live in understanding with the Chinese, but we will never remain silent for the freedom of our land," Gyasto said in closing. Gerstein, the third and final speaker, warned the audience about China's growing power in East Asia. "If China is successful in their aggressive activities, they will present a major strategic force on the planet," Gerstein said. A question-and-answer session followed and the audience was encouraged to sign petitions that are being sent to Premier Li Peng Zhongli of China. The event was sponsored by Amnesty International, The Tibetan Buddhist Center of Philadelphia, and The Chinese Student Association.