The Editor
South China Morning Post
Hong Kong
Dear Editor,
Since the article by Laurence Brahm in the South China Morning Post which appeared on 14 March continues to create confusion and concern, we felt the need to clarify His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s position on the speedy resolution of the issue of Tibet.
The article is being interpreted in some quarters that there is a change in His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s stand. This is to clarify that the position of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on autonomy for Tibet has remained the same since the 1980s as was explained in his 10 March statement on the anniversary of Tibetan National Uprising Day which the South China Morning Post failed to cover.
What His Holiness the Dalai Lama told Laurence Brahm in late January 2005 is
consistent with his long held position on the issue of Tibet. His Holiness the Dalai Lama explicitly reiterated his position of not seeking separation of Tibet from China and acknowledged the de-facto status of Tibet. Nevertheless His Holiness the Dalai Lama made it very clear that the issue of Tibet is yet to be resolved.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama reinforced his position in his annual public 10 March statement where he said, ..As long as I am responsible for the affairs of Tibet we remain fully committed to the Middle Way Approach of not seeking independence for Tibet and are willing to remain within the People’s Republic of China. I am convinced that in the long run such an approach is of benefit to the Tibetan people for their material progress._
Unfortunately the accuracy of the article is compromised by the fact that some comments attributed to His Holiness the Dalai Lama by Laurence Brahm, an American hotelier and restaurateur based in Beijing, were made during a private audience, and not in the context of a press interview.
Your sincerely,
Thubten Samphel (Mr.)
SECRETARY(INFORMATION)
The above letter was sent to the editor of South China Morning Post in response to the article by Laurence Brahm in SCMP dated 14 March 2005