The Secret Tibet (The Forbidden world)

(The Tibet Post International 22 November 2008) DHARAMSALA--At the first Special General Meeting of Tibetans in exile, representatives decided to send no more envoys to Beijing for talks with China, to support any decision made by His Holiness the Dalai Lama on policies towards China, and to use only nonviolent means in the fight for Tibet.  

The meeting adjourned today after six days of discussions amongst over 500 representatives that began Monday. Senior Envoy of the Dalai Lama Lodi Gyaltsen said, “I feel a great sense of energy from everyone who participated.” Gyaltsen returned with the Tibetan delegation from Beijing earlier this month after the eighth round of talks that were, according to Gyaltsen, an “absolute failure.” His opinion on the outcome of the meeting in Beijing was supported by statements released by the Chinese delegation. Gyaltsen also said, “It doesn’t matter what the Chinese say. The most important thing is the commitment of the Tibetan people.”

Because of the lack of progress of these series of talks amongst the Tibetan and Chinese delegations, the representatives at the Special Meeting decided to send no more envoys to Beijing.

The official policy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile supports the middle-ground approach for a genuine autonomy under the People’s Republic of China. Alternative positions, including self-determination and complete independence, were discussed at the meeting, but no official policy changes were made. “Even though there are different views and opinions, there is a strong sense of the need to be unified,” said Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari.

According to Howard Tibetan Professor Lobsang Sangay, a representative from the United States, at the Special Meeting the government for the first time “validated and acknowledged that the policies of self-determination and independence have legitimate qualities.”  

While the majority of representatives continue to support the policy of genuine autonomy, Deputy Speaker of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPiE) Dolma Gyari said, “We have decided that if China does not respond positively to our initiative, there is no other option left for us than to go for complete independence.”

Following His Holiness the Dalai Lama publicly expressing his failing patience with Chinese leadership, the representatives at the meeting, on behalf of the Tibetan people, reaffirmed their faith in His Holiness’s leadership. TPiE Speaker Karma Chophel said, “With unanimity, Tibetan people will follow any decision of His Holiness.” It was decided at the meeting that the Dalai Lama should be given the power of discretion to change policy as he sees fit in consideration of current situations and any changes that may arise. He also called on the Chinese to stop criticizing His Holiness the Dalai Lama and blaming him for the problems within Chinese-occupied Tibet, saying that “it hurts the feelings of all the Buddhists, including many many Chinese people who are Buddhist.”

“Some hardliners say with the passing away of  His Holiness the fourteenth Dalai Lama, the Tibetan movement will fizzle out. We will make sure they are disappointed,” said Lobsang.

The Dalai Lama will release a statement tomorrow to conclude the Special Meeting.