ISSUES RAISED BY ENVOYS OF H.H. THE DALAI LAMA DURING THE NINTH ROUND OF DIALOGUE WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CHINESE LEADERSHIP
The Envoys conveyed a three-point message to the representatives of the Chinese leadership.
Firstly, a
seven-point Note was presented that expanded on the Memorandum on
Genuine Autonomy for All Tibetans that was presented during the eighth
round of talks. The Envoys reiterated our hope that the Chinese Central
Government will give due consideration and have meaningful dialogue on
this. The Chinese Central Government has made different comments and
expression of concerns concerning the Memorandum and the Note was
intended to address these and to offer some constructive suggestions
for a way forward in the dialogue process. The Note was also intended
to prevent the chance of misinterpretation and misconception by the
general public. The seven points in the Note include respecting
sovereignty and territorial integrity of the PRC, respecting the
Constitution of the PRC, respecting the "Three Adherences," respecting
the hierarchy and authority of the Chinese Central Government, Concerns
raised by the Central Government on specific competencies referred to
the Memorandum, recognising the core issue, and offering His Holiness
the Dalai Lama's cooperation for a mutually beneficial solution.
The
Envoys suggested that through consultation if some of the issues in the
Memorandum that are easier to be implemented are taken up in stages, it
would certainly help in the gradual implementation of the basic issues.
Secondly,
the Envoys emphasised that His Holiness' sole concern is the wellbeing
of the six million Tibetans in Tibet. They stated that we have never
raised any personal issues of His Holiness the Dalai Lama or the
welfare of the few people around him.
With regard to this, the
Chinese Central Government contends that most of the Tibetan people are
in a happy and satisfactory situation, and that there is no Tibetan
issue. Our perception is that most of the Tibetans are in a situation
where they face limitless suffering and where they do not have a
satisfactory religious, political, economic, language and culture, and
social situation. In the light of these two differing perspectives, the
Envoys suggested that there be a study by the two sides to determine
the reality of the situation. This study needs to be undertaken under a
situation where all the Tibetans can have the opportunity to
participate without fear or suspicion. The two sides could mutually
decide the practical ways to implement this. If the outcome of this
study is that most of the Tibetans feel there is no problem and their
present situation is satisfactory, that is what His Holiness the Dalai
Lama is calling for. But if the outcome confirms that most of the
Tibetan people are not in a satisfactory situation, the Chinese Central
Government then needs to recognise that there is a problem in the
spirit of seeking truth from facts, and both sides need to discuss and
together find a solution.
Thirdly, the Envoys stated that
during the informal session in Shenzhen in May 2008, we had rejected
the allegation that His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the leadership in
exile have instigated the demonstrations throughout the Tibetan areas
since March 10, 2008 as they were without basis. Therefore, during the
seventh round of talks, the Chinese Central Government accepted the
reality by altering the "Three Stops" (which include asking us to stop
activities for independence or instigating Tibetans in Tibet) to "Four
Not to Support".
However, in recent times we find that the
same allegations are being repeated. Therefore, the Envoys conveyed our
feeling that the Chinese Central Government needed to clarify whether
its position is what that was stated to us in the seventh round of
talks. If there is a change, then the Chinese Central Government needs
to undertake a thorough scientific investigation, in Tibet as well as
in the Tibetan community in exile, into the veracity of their charge.
The Envoys stated our readiness to extend every support to this
investigation. If it is confirmed that the Central leadership's charge
has a basis, then we will confess for the past action and commit not do
so in the future. If there is no confirmation then the Central
Government should rectify and halt the leveling of these allegations.
|
