TIBET

19 March 2008

"I will resign" says Dalai Lama

Reacting to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s accusation that he was inciting and orchestrating violence in Tibet and lying about pursing peaceful dialogue, the Dalai Lama has stated the he will resign as leader of Tibet if the violence continues. He further called on the media and a “respected body”, also to include Chinese representatives, to investigate the allegations. “Such a body would need to visit Tibet, the traditional Tibetan areas outside the Tibet Autonomous Region, and also the Central Tibetan Administration here in India,” he added. (See below for full text of Dalai Lama's response)

In Tibet, mass protest erupted across the plateau, most led by monks, despite the presence of a large contingent of armed security personnel on the streets. In Amchok Bora, primarily a nomadic area in the Gansu Province, several hundred monks from the Bora monastery are said to have broken into Chinese shops and destroyed property, although it is reported that they deliberately avoided violence against people. The monks were later joined by Tibetan nomads from the area. In the Kardze prefecture, in Sichuan, hundreds of Tibetans are said to have gathered in the main square demanding independence and shouting “Long Live the Dalai Lama”. In Lhasa, security forces are said to be checking ID cards, and stopping and searching Tibetans, especially those clad in traditional dress.

There are no reliable numbers coming out of Tibet about the number of people who are injured or have died.

PHOTOS

Tibetans protesting outside the UN building in Kathmandu, Nepal
click here

Photos of demonstrations and casualties inside Tibet
click here

Office of the Dalai Lama's Press Release

PRESS RELEASE
Contacts: Chhime R. Chhoekyapa, Secretary Mobile + 91 (09816021879)
Tenzin Taklha, Joint Secretary
Mobile + 91 (09816021813)

I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude to world leaders and the international community for their concern over the recent sad turn of events in Tibet and for their attempts to persuade the Chinese authorities to exercise restraint in dealing with the demonstrations.

Since the Chinese Government has accused me of orchestrating these protests in Tibet, I call for a thorough investigation by a respected body, which should include Chinese representatives, to look into these allegations. Such a body would need to visit Tibet, the traditional Tibetan areas outside the Tibet Autonomous Region, and also the Central Tibetan Administration here in India. In order for the international community, and especially the more than one billion Chinese people who do not have access to uncensored information, to find out what is really going on in Tibet, it would be tremendously helpful if representatives of the international media also undertook such investigations.

Whether it was intended or not, I believe that a form of cultural genocide has taken place in Tibet, where the Tibetan identity has been under constant attack. Tibetans have been reduced to an insignificant minority in their own land as a result of the huge transfer of non-Tibetans into Tibet. The distinctive Tibetan cultural heritage with its characteristic language, customs and traditions is fading away. Instead of working to unify its nationalities, the Chinese government discriminates against these minority nationalities, the Tibetans among them.

It is common knowledge that Tibetan monasteries, which constitute our principal seats of learning, besides being the repository of Tibetan Buddhist culture, have been severely reduced in both in number and population. In those monasteries that do still exist, serious study of Tibetan Buddhism is no longer allowed; in fact, even admission to these centres of learning is being strictly regulated. In reality, there is no religious freedom in Tibet. Even to call for a little more freedom is to risk being labeled a separatist. Nor is there any real autonomy in Tibet, even though these basic freedoms are guaranteed by the Chinese constitution.

I believe the demonstrations and protests taking place in Tibet are a spontaneous outburst of public resentment built up by years of repression in defiance of authorities that are oblivious to the sentiments of the local populace. They mistakenly believe that further repressive measures are the way to achieve their declared aim of long-term unity and stability.

On our part, we remain committed to taking the Middle Way approach and pursuing a process of dialogue in order to find a mutually beneficial solution to the Tibetan issue.

With these points in mind, I also seek the international community’s support for our efforts to resolve Tibet’s problems through dialogue, and I urge them to call upon the Chinese leadership to exercise the utmost restraint in dealing with the current disturbed situation and to treat those who are being arrested properly and fairly.

Dalai Lama
Dharamsala March 18, 2008