On April 12, Hong Kong's "Sing Tao Daily" published a letter from a reader that discloses the background of "Reporters Sans Frontieres" (RSF, Reporters Without Borders): those who recently supported "Tibet Independence" activities in Britain, France, and other countries; and hindered the smooth transfer of the Beijing Olympic torch.
The letter reads:
March 24 in Athens, Greece – At the lighting ceremony of the Olympic torch, while Mr. Liu Qi delivered a speech on behalf of China – the host country – someone suddenly unfolded a black five-ring flag behind him, expressing dissatisfaction on the issue of Tibet. Two people's shouts echoed in the auditorium.
These demonstrators belong to "Reporters Sans Frontieres." The man standing behind Mr. Liu Qi is the founder and Secretary-General of the organization, Robert Menard. He warned that at every kilometer that the torch is transferred, there will be a problem; and claimed that he would stir things up in Hong Kong. The incident has steered global attention towards RSF.
The letter notes that RSF has become high profile in Hong Kong in recent years. The organization was set up in 1985 in France as a non-mainstream news agency. Later, after an internal split, Menard served as the Secretary-General and turned it into an agency "protecting freedom of the press."
According to sources from Google, RSF has claimed to be independent and insisted that it did not receive any sponsorship from any country. Its substantial income is said to come from selling photographs and books. But in 2005, given undeniable evidence, Menard finally admitted that RSF had been receiving money from the United States. He claimed: "This is not problematic whatsoever." Later, he even publicly admitted accepting sponsorship from the United States, France and some Western countries, including the US National Endowment for Democracy (NED), Soros Foundation and Free Cuba Center. The latter is a secret institution the United States utilized to subvert Cuba; and is directly supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
The letter also reveals the true stories about this organization's earlier activities. RSF once issued public opinion against Cuba. Later when the United States was fighting against Nicaragua, Venezuela and Haiti, RSF simply followed every step. There are criticisms against this organization for turning a blind eye to the U.S.'s anti-press behaviors as well as those of the U.S.'s ally countries. Case in point: in Iraq, U.S. tanks followed an order to fire at a hotel where reporters were residing; and killed a Spanish journalist. The journalist's family requested an apology. In March this year, UNESCO has severed its high-profile support to RSF's "Online Free Expression Day."
Before it concludes, the letter says that in August 2007, the Canadian think tank, "Global Research," disclosed a host of evidence supporting the fact that almost all international organizations for Tibet Independence, including the Tibet Fund, Tibet Information Network, Tibetan Literary Society, Tibetan Review, Tibetan Women's Association, Gu-Gu-Sum Movement of Tibet, and Longsho Youth Movement of Tibet, are receiving long-term sponsorship by the US National Endowment for Democracy. The International Campaign for Tibet not only receives sponsorship from the NED; but also had many members from the United States, including several former United States Assistant Secretaries of State and the former official of the "United States Agency for International Development." The "Voice of Tibet" shortwave radio station was actually established by the NED. It is believed that with this background, people will have a better and more accurate understanding of RSF.
By People's Daily Online
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