I am willing to remain within China: Dalai Lama

Reportage – 2005

I am willing to remain within China: Dalai Lama

DHARAMSHALA, India, 10 March 2005

The exiled Tibetan leader, the Dalai Lama, said that he wants to reassure the Chinese leadership that he is no more seeking independence for Tibet but willing to remain within the People's Republic of China, as long as he is shouldering the responsibility of the Tibetan affairs.

"As long as I am responsible for the affairs of Tibet we remain fully committed to the Middle Way Approach of not seeking independence for Tibet and willing to remain within the People's Republic of China," the Dalai Lama said in his address on the 46th anniversary of the Tibetan uprising against the communists' rule of his country since 1959.

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He said he is convinced that the Middle Way Approach is reasonable, realistic and it will be of mutual benefit to the Chinese and the Tibetans in the long run.

The Dalai Lama fled in to exile in India after the occupation of his country by the communists and established his government-in-exile in the northern Indian hill town of Dharamsala. The contacts between the two sides were severed for about a decade till 2002.

He expressed satisfaction at the renewed contacts with the Chinese leadership through his envoys since 2002 and felt that the third round of meetings last September showed gradual improvement in their interactions.

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"We remain hopeful that eventually we will be able to develop the necessary trust and resolve this long-standing issue to our mutual benefit."

Clarifying his position in a free Tibet, he said, "My involvement in the affairs of Tibet is not for the purpose of claiming certain personal rights or political position for myself nor attempting to stake claim for the Tibetan administration in exile."

The lack of human rights, religious freedom and self-rule in Tibet leaves Tibetans dissatisfied deep at heart, he pointed out and further stated that the Chinese leaders have solely held the real authority in the so-called 'Tibet Autonomous Region'.

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"China's image is tarnished by her human rights records, undemocratic actions, the lack of the rule of law and unequal implementation of autonomy rights regarding minorities, including the Tibetans," the Dalai Lama said in his address.

He opined that the world is changing for the better and opting for peace, non-violence, democracy, justice and environmental protection. Citing the support the worldwide provided to the recent tsunami victims as an example, Dalai Lama said that today's world is interdependent and that it is time the importance of universal responsibility realised.

Against this backdrop, the Dalai Lama urged China to adopt a reasonable policy with confidence.