Tibet: TIBETAN NATIONAL UPRISING DAY; 49th ANNUAL COMMEMORATION

Mon Mar 10 14:29:24 UTC 2008

Monday, March 10, 2008

TIBETAN NATIONAL UPRISING DAY; 49th ANNUAL COMMEMORATION

ibetans in exile will today begin a long march home in the Gandhian
spirit of Satyagraha, a non-violent "holding onto truth." Around 100
Tibetans are setting off today from Dharamsala, India -- the cultural
centre of exiled Tibet -- and will walk first to the Indian capital
New Delhi before their long trek to the Tibetan border, high in the
Himalayas. Tibetan civilisation has survived in exile, but is under
mortal threat under Chinese rule of the Tibetan Plateau as they become
a minority in their own homeland. China's demographic transfer
policies are flooding Tibet with Chinese colonists, who have no
interest (nor need) to learn the local language. Tibetan identity and
language are marginalized and eradicated from Tibetan children in the
state school system.

Tibet is one of the world's oldest countries, with an absolutely
distinct national identity, customs and language -- a unique
civilisation which evolved over many centuries and in its own manner
across the massive Tibetan Plateau. Today, under Chinese communist
rule, Tibet is inexorably fading away in its own indigenous home. The
"United Nations" had barely been formed at the time Chinese communist
forces invaded the Himalayan kingdom. Appeals to the world body by the
Tibetan Government came at an uncomfortable time, when the UN was
already in conflict with the communist regime over Korea. Despite the
desire of the big players not to have the boat rocked with one crisis
already underway, many smaller UN members such as Thailand, Malaysia,
El Salvador, Ireland and others supported the Tibetan request for
intervention to save its sovereignty. The Irish ambassador declared
Tibet to have had a longer and more durable independent existence than
many of the members then already sitting in the General Assembly.

The Chinese invaders imposed a treaty of capitulation upon
representatives of the Tibetan Government in 1951, the so-called "17
Point Agreement" that marks their "peaceful liberation" of Tibet from
Tibetans. The Chinese actually forged a Tibetan Government seal to
close the deal, and made the Tibetan delegation sign it under extreme
duress while heavily armed Chinese forces held a gun (many guns
actually) to Lhasa's head.  The Dalai Lama remained in Tibet for
another 8 years, attempting to work within the new situation to
protect his people from the communist depradations. On March 10, 1959
the Tibetans could take no more, and rose up en mass against the
colonial power of China. Thousands were slaughtered, while Dalai Lama
was hustled secretly to safety in India. His official summer residence
was bombarded by the PLA in an effort to decapitate the Tibetan
authority, and the Chinese spent days turning over dead monks in the
devastated Norbulingka grounds, hoping to find his body.

My good friend Stormbringer has a great post on the requirements of a
truly sovereign independent nation, and the ways in which Tibet had
historically fulfilled them all. He pulled together sources which show
that Tibet issued passports (which were accepted by other countries),
postage stamps and currency. Chinese claims that the Tibetan state had
"always been part of China" are belied by the fact that its language
and writing system have no relation to Chinese, and are actually more
closely related to Burmese (Tibeto-Burman language group) and written
Sanscrit. The Tibetans were fully in control of their own affairs
before the Chinese guns showed up, and the country was (like
Switzerland) neutral during World War II (against China's wishes).

If you want to delve more deeply into Tibet's legal case for
sovereignty, the International Committee of Lawyers for Tibet (now
Tibet Justice Center) has laid it all out here. In summary, Tibet was
fully independent prior to 1951, and the Tibetan people are entitled
to self-determination. The Center also has a one-stop resource for
legal documents on Tibet's international relations, including with the
United Nations, China, Nepal, Great Britain, Mongolia and others.
Stormbringer also has a good post up on today's anniversary, with more
sources on the issue. I also wai him for kindly sending readers over
this way, and blush at his kind words. Now it's time for what all
Tibetans are waiting for on this date: His Holiness Dalai Lama's
annual statement on this most difficult date in Tibetan history, the
day their nation was brutally crushed without mercy.

       The Statement of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the Forty-Ninth
Anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising Day

On the occasion of the 49th anniversary of the Tibetan people's
peaceful uprising in Lhasa on 10 March 1959, I offer my prayers and
pay tribute to those brave men and women of Tibet who have endured
untold hardships and sacrificed their lives for the cause of the
Tibetan people and express my solidarity with those Tibetans presently
undergoing repression and ill-treatment. I also extend my-greetings to
Tibetans in and outside Tibet, supporters of the Tibetan cause and-all
who cherish justice. For nearly six decades, Tibetans in the whole of
Tibet known as Cholkha-Sum (U-Tsang, Kham and Amdo) have had to live
in a state of constant fear, intimidation and suspicion under Chinese
repression. Nevertheless, in addition to maintaining their religious
faith, a sense of nationalism and their unique culture, the Tibetan
people have been able to keep alive their basic aspiration for
freedom. I have great admiration for the special characteristics of
the Tibetan people and their indomitable courage. I am extremely
pleased and proud of them.

Many governments, non-governmental organisations and individuals
across the world, because of their interest in peace and justice, have
consistently supported the cause of Tibet. Particularly during the
past year, governments and peoples of many countries made important
gestures that clearly expressed their support to us. I would like to
express my gratitude to every one of them. The problem of Tibet is
very complicated. It is intrinsically linked with many issues:
politics, the nature of society, law, human rights, religion, culture,
the identity of a people, the economy and the state of the natural
environment. Consequently, a comprehensive approach must be adopted to
resolve this problem that takes into account the benefits to all
parties involved, rather than one party alone. Therefore, we have been
firm in our commitment to a mutually beneficial policy, the Middle-Way
approach, and have made sincere and persistent efforts towards
achieving this for many years. Since 2002, my envoys have conducted
six rounds of talks with concerned officials of the People's Republic
of China to discuss relevant issues. These extensive discussions have
helped to clear away some of their doubts and enabled us to explain
our aspirations to them. However, on the fundamental issue, there has
been no concrete result at all. And during the past few years, Tibet
has witnessed increased repression and brutality. In spite of these
unfortunate developments, my stand and determination to pursue the
Middle-Way policy and to continue our dialogue with the Chinese
government remain unchanged.

A major concern of the People's Republic of China is its lack of
legitimacy in Tibet. The principal way to lend weight to their
position is for the Chinese government to pursue a policy that
satisfies the Tibetan people and gains their confidence. If we are
able to achieve reconciliation by treading a path of mutual consent,
then, as I have already stated many times, I will make every effort to
win the support of the Tibetan people. In Tibet today, due to the
Chinese government's numerous actions, driven as they are by a lack of
foresight, the natural environment has been severely damaged. And, as
a result of their policy of population transfer the non-Tibetan
population has increased many times, reducing native Tibetans to an
insignificant minority in their own country. Moreover, the language,
customs and traditions of Tibet, which reflect the true nature and
identity of the Tibetan people are gradually fading away. As a
consequence, Tibetans are increasingly being assimilated into the
larger Chinese population. In Tibet, repression continues to increase
with numerous, unimaginable and gross violations of human rights,
denial of religious freedom and the politicisation of religious
issues. All these take place as a result of the Chinese government's
lack of respect for the Tibetan people. These are major obstacles the
Chinese government deliberately puts in the way of its policy of
unifying nationalities which discriminate between the Tibetan and
Chinese peoples. Therefore, I urge the Chinese government to bring an
immediate halt to such policies.

Although the areas inhabited by Tibetan people are referred to by such
different names as autonomous region, autonomous prefectures and
autonomous counties, they are autonomous in name only; they actually
have no real autonomy. Instead, they are governed by people who are
oblivious of the regional situation, and driven by what Mao Zedong
called "Han chauvinism". As a result, this so-called autonomy has not
brought the concerned nationalities any tangible benefit. Disingenuous
policies that are not in tune with reality are causing enormous harm
not only to the respective nationalities, but also to the unity and
stability of the Chinese nation. It is important for the Chinese
government, as advised by Deng Xiaoping, to "seek truth from facts" in
the real sense of the term.

The Chinese government severely criticises me when I raise questions
about the welfare of the Tibetan people before the international
community. Until we reach a mutually beneficial solution, I have a
historical and moral responsibility to continue to speak out freely on
their behalf. However, it is common knowledge that I have been in
semi-retirement since the political leadership of the Tibetan Diaspora
has been directly elected by the general Tibetan populace. China is
emerging as a powerful country due to her great economic progress.
This is to be welcomed, but it has also provided China an opportunity
to play an important role on the global stage. The world is eagerly
waiting to see how the present Chinese leadership will put into effect
its avowed concepts of "harmonious society" and "peaceful rise". For
the realisation of these concepts, economic progress alone will not
suffice. There must be improvements in observance of the rule of law,
transparency, and right to information, as well as freedom of speech.
Since China is a country of many nationalities, they must all be given
equality and freedom to protect their respective unique identities if
the country is to remain stable.

On 6 March 2008, President Hu Jintao stated: "The stability in Tibet
concerns the stability of the country, and the safety in Tibet
concerns the safety of the country." He added that the Chinese
leadership must ensure the well-being of Tibetans, improve the work
related to religions and ethnic groups, and maintain social harmony
and stability. President Hu's statement conforms to reality and we
look forward to its implementation. This year, the Chinese people are
proudly and eagerly awaiting the opening of the Olympic Games. I have,
from the very beginning, supported the idea that China should be
granted the opportunity to host the Olympic Games. Since such
international sporting events, and especially the Olympics, uphold the
principles of freedom of speech, freedom of expression, equality and
friendship, China should prove herself a good host by providing these
freedoms. Therefore, besides sending their athletes, the international
community should remind the Chinese government of these issues. I have
come to know that many parliaments, individuals and non-governmental
organisations around the globe are undertaking a number of activities
in view of the opportunity that exists for China to make a positive
change. I admire their sincerity. I would like to state emphatically
that it will be very important to observe the period following the
conclusion of the Games.  The Olympic Games no doubt will greatly
impact the minds of the Chinese people. The world should, therefore,
explore ways of investing their collective energies in producing a
continuous positive change inside China even after the Olympics have
come to an end.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my pride in and
appreciation for the sincerity, courage and determination of the
Tibetan people inside Tibet. I urge them to continue to work
peacefully and within the law to ensure that all the minority
nationalities of the People's Republic of China, including the Tibetan
people, enjoy their legitimate rights and benefits. I would also like
to take this opportunity to thank the Government and people of India,
in particular, for their continuing and unparalleled support for
Tibetan refugees and the cause of Tibet, as well as express my
gratitude to all those governments and peoples for their continued
concern for the Tibetan cause.

With my prayers for the well-being of all sentient beings.

The Dalai Lama
10 March 2008

N.B. Translated from the Tibetan
http://agamsgecko.blogspot.com/2008/03/tibetan-national-uprising-day-49th.html

-- 
**************************************
N.b.: Listing on the lgpolicy-list is merely intended as a service to
its members
and implies neither approval, confirmation nor agreement by the owner
or sponsor of
the list as to the veracity of a message's contents. Members who
disagree with a
message are encouraged to post a rebuttal. (H. Schiffman, Moderator)
*******************************************