Radio Free Asia Press Release
15 July 2011
WASHINGTON, DC On the heels of the Dalai Lama’s visit to Radio Free Asia earlier in the week, Tibetan spiritual leader Ogyen Trinley Dorje, the 17th Karmapa, today visited RFA’s headquarters in Washington, DC. During the Tibetan lama’s visit, he met privately with RFA’s leadership, gave an interview to RFA’s Tibetan service, and met with RFA Tibetan’s language service staff. He spoke about RFA’s important role in its 15th anniversary year as a broadcaster for the Tibetan community both in Tibetan regions inside China and around the world.
“It is something like a dream for me to be physically present at Radio Free Asia,” the Karmapa said in his meeting with RFA’s Tibetan staff. “When I was in Tibet and listened to RFA Tibetan service programs, I wished that I could personally meet you in person. I am extremely delighted to be present amongst you in person.”
“Through the programs of the RFA Tibetan language service, the audience both inside and outside Tibet are greatly benefited with the opportunity of receiving true stories on time for the Tibetan audience and others who are interested, and you promote freedom of expression through your broadcasts,” he said in his address. “Your broadcasts are a crucial component for the Tibetan cause.”
In his interview, the Karmapa said, “I was brought up in Tibet by listening to RFA Tibetan programs.”
“You have completed 15 years of your service, and those 15 years signify extremely remarkable accomplishments,” he stated.
The Karmapa is the head the Karma Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The Tibetan spiritual leader is in Washington with the Dalai Lama for the 11-day Buddhist Kalachakra ritual, which concludes this week. Voice of America also interviewed the Karmapa today. Radio Free Asia
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. Radio Free Asia was established by the Central Intelligence Agency in 1950 as part of it’s global propaganda network. Radio Free Asia no longer has an official association with the CIA, and is funded by the organization that took over funding for such CIA-funded operations, the Broadcasting Board of Governors.
