While
sending my greetings to all Tibetans in and outside Tibet, there are a
few important issues I would like to present to you.Since I was
very young, I realized that the transformation of our governance into a
democratic system was of utmost importance for Tibet’s immediate and
long-term interest. Therefore, after taking responsibility as the
spiritual and political leader of Tibet, I worked hard to establish
such a democratic set-up in Tibet. Unfortunately, we were unable to
achieve it under the harsh repression of the People’s Republic of
China. However, immediately after coming into exile, judicious reforms
were introduced in the structure of our governance and a newly-elected
parliament was constituted. Despite being in exile, the process of the
democratization of the Tibetan community has made good headway. Today,
the Tibetan community in exile has completely transformed into a modern
democracy in the true sense of the word, having an administration with
its own charter and a leadership elected by popular vote. We can be
proud at this moment when the Tibetan people themselves are ready and
able to take responsibility for Tibet.The reason I have
persisted in encouraging the establishment of a democratic system is
based entirely on the need to secure a solid and sustainable future
system of governance for Tibet. This is not because I was reluctant or
wanted to shirk my responsibility. It is extremely important that we
take stock of history and our past experience, as well as learn from
the present world situation in order to keep up our struggle. All
Tibetans should uphold and strengthen the institution of the Central
Tibetan Administration, by means of which we will be able to preserve
the Tibetan cultural heritage in exile until the issue of Tibet is
resolved. Since coming into exile, we have exercised the
essential functions of a democratic system by inviting our people to
express their opinions about important political decisions on the
future of Tibet. The current, mutually beneficial Middle-Way Approach
was formulated in the early 1970s as a result of much deliberation and
discussion with leaders who represented the Tibetan people such as the
Speaker of the House. Moreover, I have specifically stated in the
Strasbourg Proposal that the Tibetan people will make the final
decision.After the break in contacts with the PRC in 1993, we
conducted an opinion poll of the Tibetans in exile and collected
suggestions from Tibet wherever possible on the proposed referendum, by
which the Tibetan people were to determine the future course of our
freedom struggle to their full satisfaction. Based on the outcome of
this poll and suggestions from Tibet, our parliament in exile, passed a
resolution empowering me to continue to use my discretion on the matter
without seeking recourse to a referendum. Therefore, until now we have
followed the Middle-Way Approach and eight rounds of talks have taken
place since contact with the PRC was restored in 2002. Despite this
approach receiving widespread appreciation from the international
community, as well as the support of many Chinese intellectuals, there
have been no positive signs or changes in Tibet. Indeed, PRC policies
towards Tibet and the Tibetans have remained unchanged.After
the sixth round of talks in 2007 with officials of the PRC, there were
no plans to hold further talks in the immediate future. But, because of
the urgency of the situation in Tibet after the events of March this
year, we held informal discussions in the beginning of May, followed by
the seventh and eighth rounds of talks in July and at the beginning of
November, so as not to leave any stone unturned. Nevertheless, no real
progress was made. In March this year,
Tibetans from the whole of Tibet known as Cholka-Sum (U-Tsang, Kham and
Amdo), regardless of whether they were young or old, male or female,
monastic or lay-people, believers or non-believers, including students,
risked their lives by courageously expressing their long-felt
dissatisfaction with PRC policies in a peaceful and lawful way. At that
time I was hopeful that the PRC government would find a solution based
on the reality on the ground. However, on the contrary, the Chinese
government has completely ignored and rejected Tibetan feelings and
aspirations by brutally cracking down on them, using the accusation
that they were ‘splittists’ and ‘reactionaries’ as an excuse. During
those testing times, out of profound concern and a deep sense of
responsibility, I exercised whatever influence I have with the
international community and with China, including writing personally to
President Hu Jintao. But my efforts hardly made any difference. Since
everyone was preoccupied with the issue of the Beijing Olympics, it did
not seem appropriate to consult the general public at that time. Now,
since the time is more appropriate, in accordance with clause 59 of the
Charter for Tibetans-in-exile I have on 11th September, requested our
elected leadership to convene a Special Meeting soon. It is my hope
that participants will be able to gather the opinions of their
respective communities and be able to present them on this occasion. Taking
into account the inspiring courage being shown by people all over Tibet
this year, the current world situation, and the present intransigent
stance of the government of the PRC, all the participants, as Tibetan
citizens should discuss in a spirit of equality, cooperation and
collective responsibility the best possible future course of action to
advance the Tibetan cause. This meeting should take place in an
atmosphere of openness, putting aside partisan debate. Rather, it
should focus on the aspirations and views of the Tibetan people. I
appeal to everyone concerned to work together to contribute as best as
they can.This Special Meeting is being convened with the
express purpose of providing a forum to understand the real opinions
and views of the Tibetan people through free and frank discussions. It
must be clear to all that this special meeting does not have any agenda
for reaching a particular predetermined outcome. The Dalai Lama 14 November 2008N.B Translated from the Tibetan.
Special Message Of His Holiness the Dalai Lama For Tibetans In And Outside Tibet
SPECIAL MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA FOR TIBETANS IN AND OUTSIDE TIBET.
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