Statement of the Kashag on the 14th Anniversary of the Conferment of the Nobel Peace Prize to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, 10 December 2003
The Kashag would like to extend its warm greetings to all the Tibetans
and peace loving people on this day of the 14th anniversary of the
conferment of the Nobel Peace Prize to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. His
Holiness, whenever gets opportunity, educates and encourages the
people, politicians and government leaders of the world about his
non-violent approach of achieving world peace and resolving every major
and minor conflicts amongst the nations and nationalities.
His Holiness, in particular, for the past fifty years has made
tremendous and unparalleled contribution towards solving the issue of
Tibet based on his middle way approach and mutual benefit for the
Tibetan and Chinese people.
The whole world acclaims and supports His Holiness great work
and his unparalleled service for the immediate and long-term benefit of
the Tibetan people. As said by Chinas late President Deng Xiaoping
“except independence anything can be discussed”, His Holiness has
clearly stated in his statements to the press and speeches to the
Tibetan people that he is making efforts only to achieve for the three
traditional provinces of Tibet genuine autonomy rather than
independence. However, instead of acknowledging this and contrary to
reality, Chinas leaders, through their government spokespersons
continuously accuse His Holiness of engaging in splittism. This is
really unfortunate, as the accusation is baseless and driven by Chinas
lack of trust and misunderstanding of His Holiness open thoughts and
service.
Since the Tibetan government in exile under the leadership of
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has already decided to establish while in
exile in India and in future Tibet a political system based on
non-violent principles, we have never initiated and have no plans in
future to initiate campaigns both within and outside Tibet that would
be contrary to the principles of non-violence. Despite of that the
Chinese government has recently made a statement about having
undertaken a so-called anti-terror military exercise to “prevent and
strike hard on terrorists and to achieve stability in Tibet”. This
statement is baseless and untrue.
We again urge the Chinese government to accept the reality and
start an immediate Sino-Tibetan dialogue based on the mutual benefit of
both the Tibetan and the Chinese people.
The Kashag also deeply appreciates Tibetans inside Tibet for
making their best efforts to preserve Tibets unique culture and
tradition notwithstanding Chinas systematic destruction of it. They do
this by sending their children to monasteries to study Buddhism and to
schools that provide Tibetan education, by renovating and building new
monasteries and by continuously celebrating Buddhist festivals.
We also urge exiled Tibetan students and their parents to use
all their opportunities to study modern education and preserve Tibets
unique culture and tradition. We urge the elder Tibetans to inculcate
in the hearts of young Tibetans Tibets traditional good habits and
moral behaviour.
As the Government of Himachal Pradesh and Indo-Tibetan
Friendship Association, Dharamsala, have also organised an
International Himalayan Festival to be coincided with the anniversary
of the conferment of the Nobel Peace Prize to His Holiness the Dalai
Lama, we take this opportunity to thank the Government and people of
Himachal Pradesh for providing so far every support and assistance to
the Tibetans.
We, in particular, on behalf of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile
and the Tibetan people at large extend our deep gratitude to the
central and state governments of India and their people, to all the
nations of the world and their governmental and non-governmental
organisations and to all the individuals who have shown and continue to
show deep concern at a time when Tibetans face worst problems
unprecedented in their history.
We appeal to the Government and people of India and to all the
nations of the world to continue their support and assistance till the
issue of Tibet is resolved.
Finally, we pray for the long life and fulfillment of all the
wishes of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and for the day when Tibetans
inside and outside Tibet will be reunited.
The Kashag,
10 December 2003