Author: Preeti Sharma
Publication: News Insight
Date:
URL: http://www.newsinsight.net/archivefeatures/nat2.asp?recno=109&ctg=
Tempa Tsering, the Dalai Lama's representative
in New Delhi, is restrained in his praise of the recent Tibetan protests against
China's authoritarian rule. But he accepts that they have given a new voice
to Tibet. He talks about his people and reveals their suffering under ruthless
Chinese rule. Tsering is confident that the non-violent ways of the Dalai
Lama will eventually win over the protestors and expects China to choose democracy
one day, giving the Tibetans all they seek. Excerpts from the interview:
Q.: How do you see the recent anti-China protests
in Tibet?
A.: I have great admiration for the protestors. In the harsh and violent conditions
(obtaining) in China, it is not easy to rise up. But I also feel saddened
that the protests are caused by the Chinese government's policies of repression,
which have deprived the Tibetans of their basic rights.
Q.: How long can the Tibetans sustain their
protests without being spurred by the Beijing Olympics?
A.: It is difficult to say. China is brutal and does not care about international
norms. But while Tibetans have been physically (suppressed), mentally they
have carried on their freedom struggle for the last fifty years.
Q.: Who are the people behind the protests?
A.: The Chinese say they are a handful of people. They are not a handful.
They are from across sections of society. They are not only from Lhasa but
from
places like Sichuan, Shenzhen, Yunnan and Beijing.
Q.: What is their inspiration?
A.: Tibetans have been denied their rights for decades. They have been treated
like second- or third-class citizens in their own country. So people realised
that unless they rise up, Tibet will be lost forever. Tibetan people, culture
and heritage would not be there. This inspired them.
Q.: How much is "Hananization" responsible
for the Tibetan unrest?
A.: The Chinese have tried different methods to (destroy) Tibetans. (Hananization)
is a planned and desperate move to bring the Chinese into Tibet... to destroy
Tibetan traditions and culture. The Chinese people are given incentives by
their government to migrate to Tibet.
Tibet is located at a high altitude. It is
cold and barren and does not suit the Chinese. But if they are still coming,
they have a different intention. It is demographic aggression. And while a
Tibetan is not free to move anywhere in Tibet, a Chinese gets incentives to
migrate to Tibet.
Q.: How do you see the Dalai Lama's stand
on the protests?
A.: The Dalai Lama
admires the protestors. But his way is of non-violence.
He understands that there is anxiety, despair, frustration
but he says
nothing justifies violence. He has said that if people won't leave violent
means, he will retire.
But the Dalai Lama cannot assure that the
protests will be over. He can only appeal to the people. We give everyone
the right to express themselves.
The Dalai Lama recently said that Chinese
soldiers disguised as monks participated in the violence. What was the information?
The information is what he has heard. We are
not sure about it. In Tibet's closed society, where even foreign journalists
were thrown out, it is difficult to know the truth. But we know to what extent
the Chinese can go to discourage protests.
Q.: What is the solution for Tibet?
A.: Form an international body of Chinese and Tibetans to freely investigate
conditions in Tibet. They should be allowed to go anywhere, meet anyone, and
to see the repercussions on people there. They can come to India and see how
we live here. Then they can file their report. What can be fairer? But China
is not willing for this. They act as if they have something to hide. That
is why they are kicking out foreign journalists and tourists.
Q.: What can China do in future? As long as
the Tibetans are not pacified, the Tibet issue will not end. The Chinese feel
that once the Dalai Lama dies, there will be no leader for the Tibetans, and
they will be able to take appropriate measures. But in that scenario, the
Tibetan protests can be more violent, and the situation could go out of control.
Our hope is that China realizes that the only
solution is to talk and discuss. The Chinese government has to treat Tibetans
equal to the Chinese. We want genuine autonomy for where Tibetans are living
and not independence. We want to remain part of China. We have always said
that Tibet is an inseparable part of China.
Why the Chinese don't agree with this is difficult
to say. The Dalai Lama says that the past is history, whatever has happened
has happened, and "I cannot change the past." But we can definitely
change the future if China is concerned for the people of Tibet.
People like Nancy Pelosi are saying that the
Beijing Olympics should be boycotted for the Tibetan cause.
Being pro-Tibet is being pro-justice and pro-peace.
We have always taken the non-violent path. We are happy that (foreign) nations
support the cause.
The Dalai Lama recently said that his next
incarnation could be a woman and a very inspiring one so that she can lead
the Tibetans. How do you perceive that?
This is a spiritual issue. The Dalai Lama
is free to be born anywhere. The incarnation could be male or female. The
purpose behind the incarnation is to finish the unfinished work of the predecessor.
The Dalai Lama is very clear that if within
his lifetime, he is not able to resolve the Tibet issue, his next incarnation
will not be born in a closed society like China's but in an open society.
This is a very categorical statement.
Q.: How do you see the anti-China protests
in Delhi?
A.: I don't approve of violent protests. Embassies are compounds of other
countries. We should respect the law of the land we live in. We should not
embarrass India. Whatever the emotions of the protestors, violence is unacceptable.
Q.: After the Beijing Olympics, would China
be stricter with Tibetans? What are your future plans?
A.: You cannot predict anything about a country like China. We are thinking
about the future and are keeping several options open.
Q.: Do you see any sort of agreement between
your government and China?
A.: The Chinese always say that the door is open if we stop demanding independence.
But we are very clear that we are not demanding anything.
China says that Tibet is developing and becoming
prosperous. China may have spent a lot of money, but why are the people so
opposed to it? Why are they so unsatisfied and distressed?
Q.: Will Tibet be resolved only if China becomes
democratic?
A.: Democracy in China would be a solution. There have been uprisings of Chinese
people in China about which the world does not know. China faces deep internal
problems.
Today, the Chinese are more prosperous and
open to the outside world. I hope they will also want freedom.