Statement of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the Nineteenth Anniversary of the Tibetan
National Uprising Day, 10 March 1978
Greetings to all Tibetans on this 19th anniversary of the Tenth March
Uprising. On this occasion I also remember and pray for those who have
sacrificed their lives for the sake of our people and our country.
Recently the Chinese have intensified their propaganda about the
“unprecedented happiness in Tibet today” through radio broadcasts and
pictorial magazines. It is very difficult for the few selected foreign
visitors, who are taken on guided tours for a few days and have to
listen to explanations through interpreters carefully chosen by the
Chinese, to know and tell us the actual welfare and conditions of the
Tibetan people. It is obvious to impartial observers that these reports
which are artificial, biased, one-sided and unreliable, will not be
accepted by people who are able to see both sides of the picture.
If the six million Tibetans in Tibet are really happy and prosperous as
never before there is no reason for us to argue otherwise. If the
Tibetans are really happy the Chinese should allow every interested
foreigner to visit Tibet without restricting their movements or
meetings with the Tibetan people. This would enable the visitors to
really know the true conditions in Tibet. Furthermore, the Chinese
should allow the Tibetans in Tibet to visit their parents and relatives
now in exile. These Tibetans can then study the conditions of those of
us in exile living in free countries. Similar opportunity should be
given to the Tibetans in exile. Under such an arrangement we can be
confident of knowing the true situation inside Tibet. This is morally
right and practicable. Instead of doing this why are the Chinese
indulging only in propaganda to woo the Tibetans in exile to return?
We must remember that nothing can be achieved if we lose courage. Every
Tibetan should continue to be determined and dedicated to the goal that
our nation, like other nations in this world, is governed by our own
people.
The Dalai Lama
March 10, 1978