Dharamsala, 6 December - Reports from Tibet say that the enthronement of the rival Panchen Lama is to take place on 8 December at the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Shigatse.

Authorities have issued an order to all high incarnate lamas, religious leaders and cadres to arrive at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery tomorrow in time for the enthronement for the next day. They have been told that they could not feign ill health in not attending the so-called coronation.

The report says that the program and all the other details for the enthronement are issued in dribs and drabs and also nobody knows who is making the program or issuing orders relating to the enthronement. The report says that the management of the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, and the monastery which traditionally managed all the affairs of the Panchen Lama, has no control over or knowledge of the details of the enthronement ceremony.

Zhao Puchu, the head of the Religious Bureau of China, who is still in Shigatse, will represent the Beijing regime at the ceremony.

Mr Tempa Tsering
Secretary
Department of Information & International Relations
Central Tibetan Administration
Gangchen Kyishong
Dharamsala 176 215
INDIA

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Last updated: 29-Jan-96