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Future Plans
The preceding pages have provided some glimpse into the working of the Tibetan Parliament and the government organisation it supervises. The Twelfh Parliament like the Eleventh, has matured into a responsible representative body, jealously guarding the rights of the community-in-exile, directing the executive through open parliamentary procedures, and preparing for the future, particularly for the day when the exiles will be able to return to Tibet. As usual, the Dalai Lama has led his people in anticipating the need for clarity and realism in planning for the return. On February 26, 1992, he set forth "Guidelines for Future Tibet's Polity and the Basic Features of the Constitution." His vision and plans for the future are best conveyed in his own words:
"I believe that in future, Tibet should have a multi-party system of parliament, and that it should have three organs of government, namely legislature, executive and judiciary, with a clear separation of power between them, each independent of the other and vested with equal power and authority. As I have often said, Tibet belongs to Tibetans and especially to those who are in Tibet. Therefore, Tibetans in Tibet shall bear the main responsibility in running the affairs of state. It is important that such Tibetan officials eschew all feelings of uncertainty and doubt. Instead, they should make efforts to strengthen their determination for the task of improving the quality of the future administration of Tibet and also rededicate themselves to the cause of Tibetan freedom."
As for himself, the Dalai Lama reiterated: "Personally, I have made up my mind that I will not play any role in the future government of Tibet, let alone seek the Dalai Lama's traditional political position in the government." To reassure Tibetans, however, he stated: "I am determined to do whatever I can for the well-being of my people... I will most likely remain a public figure who may be called on to offer advice or resolve some particularly significant and difficult problems which could not be overcome by the existing government through political mechanisms. I think I will be in a better position to serve the people as an individual outside the government."
The Dalai Lama then outlined his views regarding the nature of the interim government to be formed when the Chinese forces withdraw from Tibet, emphasising again the role of the Tibetan functionaries there. "Once Tibet regains its freedom and the repressive Chinese forces are withdrawn from Tibet, there will be a transitional period before the adoption of its Constitution. During this period the existing administration in Tibet, with all its Tibetan functionaries, will be retained to look after such affairs of state, as health, economy, education, culture and transport and communications. This means the Tibetan officials presently working there under the Chinese should be ready to assume full responsibilities."
"The interim government will be headed by a President who will assume all the political powers presently held by me. The present Tibetan Government-in-exile will be considered dissolved ipso facto......"
"The principal responsibility of the transitional government will be to form a Constituent Parliament with representatives from all parts of Tibet. The Constituent Parliament, in turn, will prepare Tibet's new Constitution on the basis of various drafts prepared in exile, which will be adopted only with the assent of the interim President. Then, in accordance with the Constitution, the interim President will appoint will appoint an Election Commission, which will conduct the election of the new government."
The guidelines describe in considerable detail the procedures for electing the future President and other officials. The principal features of the proposed Constitution are similar to those contained in the Charter of the Tibetan-in-exile adopted by the Eleventh Parliament.
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