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Special Envoy Kasur Lodi Gyari (c) and Envoy Kelsang Gyaltsen (R), addresses to the media in Dharamsala today on the latest round of discussions on Tibet with the representatives of the Chinese government. Secretary for Information Thubten Samphel (L) read out the statement by the special envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
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Special Envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Kasur Lodi Gyari (5th from the left) with (from his right) Envoy Kelsang Gyaltsen, Tenzin P. Atisha, Bhuchung K Tsering and Jigmey Passang with Vice Chairman of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Du Qinglin and (from his left) Executive Vice-Minister Zhu Weiqun, Vice-Minister Sithar, Vice-Chairman of Tibet Autonomous Region People’s Congress Nyima Tsering, Secretary General of the United Front Chang Rongjun and Deputy Secretary of the United Front An Qi Yi following session on 30 January 2010 afternoon/Photo:DIIR/CTA |
We called upon the Chinese side to stop the baseless accusations against His Holiness and labeling him a separatist. Instead, we urge the Chinese leadership to work with him to find a mutually acceptable solution to the Tibetan problem based on the Memorandum. This will ensure stability, unity and the development of a harmonious society. The Chinese side laid out “Four Not to Indulge In” points to outline their position. They also provided us with a detailed briefing on recent developments relating to Tibet, particularly on the important Fifth Tibet Work Forum. They said the Forum decided to further improve the livelihood of Tibetans in the Tibet Autonomous Region and all Tibetan areas, specifically in public services, such as education, medical services, and environmental protection. Based on the initial reports that we had of the Forum, we welcomed the issues it has taken up to improve the lives of the Tibetan people specially in rural areas. We welcome the fact that the Fifth Tibet Work Forum has looked into the issues of development in all Tibetan areas – The Tibet Autonomous Region as well as other Tibetan areas. It is our strong belief that all the Tibetan areas must be under a uniform policy and a single administration. If we take away the political slogans, many of the issues that have been prioritised by the Forum are similar to the basic needs of the Tibetan people outlined in our Memorandum.A major difference between the two sides is the conflicting perspectives on the current situation inside Tibet. So, in order to have a common understanding of the real situation, we suggested a common effort to study the actual reality on the ground, in the spirit of seeking truth from facts. This will help both the sides to move beyond each others’ contentions. In the coming days we will be studying the issues raised by our counterparts, including the proceedings of the Fifth Tibet Work Forum and the “Four Not to Indulge In” points. As we had urged during our meeting, it is my sincere hope that the Chinese leadership will also seriously reflect on the issues raised by us. Since His Holiness the Dalai Lama has consistently made his position clear on the future of Tibet within the framework of the People’s Republic of China, given political will on the Chinese leadership’s side we do not see any reason why we cannot find a common ground on these issues. We would like to reiterate His Holiness’s continued willingness to work with the Chinese Central Government in this so that the Tibetan people can regain their pride and dignity and the People’s Republic of China’s stability and unity are ensured.
February 2, 2010DharamsalaMore photos:
Special Envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Kasur Lodi Gyari, with Envoy Kelsang Gyaltsen during their meeting with Vice Chairman of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Du Qinglin during their meeting on 30 January 2010 afternoon. (Photo credit DIIR/CTA) |
His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Envoys Kasur Lodi Gyari and Kelsang Gyaltsen and their team in discussion with executive Vice Minister Zhu Weiqun and Vice Minister Sithar with their team on 31 January 2010. (Photo credit DIIR/CTA) |