Dreams can last a long time, but often enough give way to pragmatic reality. A dream that lasted 46 years ended today, when the Dalai Lama, spiritual and temporal leader of the Tibetan people, in a statement on the 46th anniversary of the annexation of Tibet by China, asked Tibetans to give up their dream of an independent country, saying he believed that "China is the best for Tibetans' progress and future"
This year the Chinese government will mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Tibet Autonomous Region. There will be much fanfare and many commemorative events to celebrate the occasion but these will be meaningless when they do not reflect the ground realities. For example, the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution were celebrated with great pomp as real achievements at the time they took place.
China has made tremendous economic progress during the past more than two decades. China today is not what it was twenty or thirty years ago. Much has changed in China. As a result she has become a major player in the world and China rightly deserves this position. It is a big nation with a huge population and a rich and ancient civilization. However, China's image is tarnished by her human rights records, undemocratic actions, the lack of the rule of law and the unequal implementation of autonomy rights regarding minorities, including the Tibetans. All these are a cause for more suspicion and distrust from the outside world. Internally, they are an obstacle to unity and stability that are of utmost importance to the leaders of the People's Republic of China. In my view, it is important that as China becomes a powerful and respectable nation she should be able to adopt a reasonable policy with confidence.The world in general, of which China is a part, is changing for the better. In recent times there is definitely a greater awareness and appreciation for peace, non-violence, democracy, justice and environmental protection. The recent unprecedented response from governments and individuals across the world to the tsunami disaster victims reaffirms that the world is truly interdependent and the importance of universal responsibility.
My involvement in the affairs of Tibet is not for the purpose of claiming certain personal rights or political position for myself nor attempting to stake claims for the Tibetan administration in exile. In 1992 in a formal announcement I stated clearly that when we return to Tibet with a certain degree of freedom I will not hold any office in the Tibetan government or any other political position and that the present Tibetan administration in exile will be dissolved. Moreover, the Tibetans working in Tibet should carry on the main responsibility of administering Tibet.
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Article comments
1 - swingingpuss
I read the entire press release - while his concern for Tibet stands out, yet he seems to have given up hope. Is this good leadership or pragmatism?
2 - Floris Vermeir
Perhaps a bit of both.
Tibet is like a piece of land/food swallowed by the dragon, and currently being digested, and will further go trough the dragons intestines, and so on. Until perhaps one day it might be dropped by the dragon. But if that everh appens it is the core, that really makes them who they are, that will be dropped, and some of the excesses will be gone. That is not the easiest way to life, but it is a possibility.
By this i do not mean that they will be independent one day, no body knows the future, but rather they should keep there culture, spirit alive. And for the moment part of there ideas and traditions are influencing other people, who might otherwise not have heard of those ideas.
To my opinion they should not give up there rights, but they should learn from the dragon, rahter than keep fighting it.
Not like what is currently still happening in Iraq. They are a bit in the same situation, and in stead of hanging out the terorists, they better should stop fighting and learn all they can. They have a chance now, they shouldn't trow it alway.
As long as the spirit of people is alive, then all is not lost.
3 - RJ
The Dalai Lama has given up. The people of Tibet will lose hope of freedom. And Red China shall swallow them whole...
4 - DAVID
YOUR HOLLINESS DALAI LAMA,
WE ARE A LITTLE GROUP OF PEOPLE FROM THE SMALL REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO, WHO ADORE YOUR WAY OF LIFE, YOUR CONFORTANT WORDS TO THE WORLD, YOUR TEACHING , WISDOM, LOVE AND DEVOTION FOR HUMANITY.
WE ARE HERE TO BEG YOUR APOLOGY REGARDING THE ISSUE WE WOULD LIKE THAT NEVER HAPPENED DURING YOUR VISIT IN RIMINI AND PENNABILLI.
WE HEARED THAT YOU TRIED TO MAKE AS A VISIT IN SAN MARINO BUT YOU WERE NOT INVITED TO OUR COUNTRY, AND ALSO WERE STOPPER AT THE BORDER.
ACCORDING TO THIS FACT WE ARE SO ASHAME TO SPEND OTHER USELESS WORDS BUT FOR THE GREAT RESPECT WE HAVE FOR YOU, WE DESIRE TO SAY “ WE ARE SORRY ” ABOUT IT.
WE HOPE YOU WILL FORGIVE THIS SAD INCONVENIENCE AND TRY TO COME AGAIN FOR VISITING US IN THE NEARBY FUTURE.
THANK YOU INDEED FOR LISTENING TO US.
FAITHFULLY YOURS:
HADASSA SHIMON
GIUSEPPE FASONE
CECCOLI LORIS
DE BIAGI DAVID
….AND MANY OTHERS
5 - Aaman
So the Dalai Lama was not allowed into San Marino - hmmm - wonder why
6 - Bryant
Maybe San Marino does not like CIA operatives operating on its soil.