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Tibetans warn Beijing on thirst for freedom

Date: Thursday, 27-November-2008

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By Amy Yee in Dharamsala
The Financial Times
November 24, 2008

Tibetan leaders have backed the Dalai Lama's long-standing policy ofpursuing autonomy for their homeland under Chinese sovereignty butsaid they would suspend negotiations with China and consider pushingfor independence if the stalemate drags on.

Nearly 600 Tibetans signalled their impatience and frustration at theend of a historic week-long "special meeting" convened at their exilecapital in Dharamsala, northern India.

"The majority were for the 'middle way'. But looking at the [actions]of China in recent times, we've decided we will not send our envoysfor further contact," said Dolma Gyari, deputy speaker of the Tibetanparliament-in-exile. "If China doesn't respond positively to ourinitiative, there will be no alternative but to . . . pursue completeindependence."

Envoys of the Dalai Lama, Tibet's spiritual leader, said recentlythey were "deeply disappointed" with the latest round of talks thismonth in Beijing. They claimed that Chinese officials requested andthen dismissed a memo outlining paths towards Tibetan autonomy.

In Dharamsala, delegates drafted a list of recommendations that couldform the basis of a new China policy. The list included generalsupport for the Dalai Lama's middle way approach but also forindependence if no results come in the near future.

The Dalai Lama refused to comment on the special meeting and saidyesterday that more concrete conclusions would be reached next month.

"It's up to the people. Discussions are still going on," he said,referring to forthcoming talks with international pro-Tibet groups inNew Delhi this weekend.

The Nobel laureate did not attend the special meeting so delegatescould speak uninhibitedly. But after being briefed, he said he was"satisfied that people expressed themselves freely".

At a press conference in Dharamsala the Dalai Lama reiterated hisfrustration over stalled talks with Beijing and said his faith in theChinese government is "getting thinner and thinner".

However, he emphasised he "still has faith in Chinese people", inspite of their nationalist reaction to the unrest that eruptedearlier this year in Tibet.

Since the protests, the Dalai Lama has been actively reaching out toChinese Buddhists, Taiwanese and overseas Chinese in North America,Europe and Australia. A small group of overseas Chinese had athree-hour audience with him at the weekend to discuss democracy,human rights and the Tibetan cause.

"After [the unrest in March] I really felt the Chinese leadershipmight have the courage to face reality," the Dalai Lama said. "Butthey missed out on a realistic approach.

"If they accept reality we are ready to help them, to co-operate withthem. But they simply suppressed [Tibetans]. Now the Tibetan nationis almost passing through a death sentence."

While it seems unlikely that the Tibetan parliament-in-exile willenact soon a radical shift in policy, many were encouraged by therapport and discussions generated at last week's meeting.

Tenzing Sonam, a Tibetan filmmaker, said he was "in a state of shock"that the idea of independence could be discussed in a mainstream venue.

"Before, if you wanted independence you couldn't say it," Mr Sonamsaid. "It's a big load off people's backs. Now you can talk about it."