Tibet Issue On Card during Martin’s Meeting With His Holiness
His Holiness speaks during a round table discussion at the University of British Columbia (AFP/Getty Images/File/Don MacKinnon) |
New York, 22 April: Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin said he was convinced that human rights situation in Tibet was one of the issues that would crop up for discussion during his meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama tomorrow. Martin spoke to reporters after a cabinet meeting today.
In an interview, His Holiness said although his visit was non-political in nature, he had a moral responsibility to explain the Tibetan situation to Prime Minister Martin.
His Holiness was speaking to some 50 reporters at Ontario’s biggest press venue, the National Press Theater.
Asked when his envoys would pay a third visit to China, His Holiness said, “I am not really sure. Perhaps, I think, within a few months. I think it’s possible.”
So far the Tibetan side has directed its efforts toward building trust with the Chinese government, he said, adding that it will take time and a lot of discussions as “there are so many suspicions and doubts”.
His Holiness once again repeated that he was seeking only autonomy, and not independence for his homeland. “If Beijing permits Tibet autonomy of culture and religion, Tibetans could see great benefits from being a part of China,” he added. But this is a message the Chinese leadership has obstinately refused to hear.
His Holiness decried the absence of human rights as well as freedom of thoughts, expression and religion in Tibet. China should actually be paying more attention to these deeper human values than on the ongoing construction-fixated development policy, he said.
He called on Canada and European countries who enjoy good relations with China to play a robust role in facilitating dialogue between his representatives and Beijing, reasoning that China would be more receptive to mediation from such countries.
China does not see Canada as a threat to her. Therefore, it will be less suspicious of Ottawa’s motives in raising the Tibetan issue, he said.
Referring to the growing demand for freedom and democracy in China, His Holiness said the world’s most populous nation is poised for social and political transition. But the change, he hoped, would be smooth.
His Holiness observed with satisfaction that the Chinese people, particularly the intellectuals, are becoming more supportive of his Middle Way approach to resolving the issue of Tibet. This, he said, is due to growing awareness of his thoughts and vision for Tibet’s new relationship with China.
The Middle Way approach envisages a solution which will grant internal self-rule to the whole of Tibet-a geographical entity encompassing the Tibet Autonomous Region and the eastern Tibetan regions presently merged with the contiguous Chinese provinces-in return for Tibetan acquiescence to Chinese sovereignty over their homeland. According to this approach, China can continue to be responsible for Tibet’s defense and foreign relations.
Such a solution, His Holiness believes, will satisfy Tibetans as they will then have the power to decide their own socio-economic development, and also have full opportunity to preserve their culture and religion. At the same time, China will no longer have to worry about the prospect of instability in the Himalayan region and its eventual separation from the Middle Kingdom.
Regarding his own role in the exile Tibetan administration, His Holiness said he was now in semi-retirement. He was alluding to the democratic election three years ago, when the Tibetan Diaspora elected its political leadership, and to whom His Holiness had entrusted complete administrative authority.
His Holiness said he was now looking forward to taking full retirement, which, as he had pointed out earlier, would become possible when the issue of Tibet was resolved.
In 1992, His Holiness unveiled a manifesto for future Tibet’s governance, in which he said when Tibet gained full autonomy, it would have a democratic constitution with an elected president. To this president would he hand over all his traditional power, and himself assume the role of an ordinary citizen, he declared.
His other engagements of the day included a talk on Ethics, Politics and Business at the Canadian Club. It was attended by over 1,000 business leaders, politicians, bureaucrats and other prominent Canadians.
His Holiness also attended a reception of the Canadian parliamentary friends of Tibet. Speaking to some 150 parliamentarians who had urged Prime Minister Martin to meet him, His Holiness thanked them for their support to Tibet and the cause of truth and justice.
a report by OoT, New York