Earlier this week, I wrote a story about the Dalai Lama's growing impatience with the Chinese authorities in regard to his efforts to secure autonomy for Tibet. I included a report of a speech he had given over the weekend to an audience in Dharamsala in which he had said he "had given up" trying. I made sure to include the comments of his chief spokesman that made clear the Dalai Lama was not retiring and that he was merely being realistic about his chances of success.
A couple of people (including someone who was at the talk) wrote to me to say that his Holiness had not used the phrase "given up". I was not at the meeting and was relying on a report from a (reputable) news agency. Anyway, it seems that officials are concerned not about the literal translation of the DL's words but that that some reports (not mine, of course!) did not put the Tibetan Buddhists' leaders comments in context. Today, I received an email from the DL's office clarifying his position. I am copying it here in its entirety.
"During the celebrations of the 48th founding anniversary of the Tibetan Children’s Village on 25 October here in Dharamsala (India), His Holiness the Dalai Lama made some remarks on the issue of Tibet that are now being quoted out of context in some media reports. Consequently, to clarify the situation we are issuing the gist of His Holiness’ remarks below as well as a separate translation of a transcript of what he really said."
"His Holiness the Dalai Lama said that Tibetans have long been pursuing a path to find a solution to the issue of Tibet that would be mutually acceptable to Tibetans and Chinese. This has received widespread appreciation from the international community, several governments included. More importantly, it has gained the support of many Chinese intellectuals.
His Holiness went on to say that, unfortunately, the Chinese leadership has so far not responded positively to our overtures and does not seem interested in addressing the issue in a realistic way. Beginning in March this year, a series of protests and demonstrations erupted in Lhasa and in many traditional Tibetan areas. These were clearly a spontaneous expression of the Tibetan people’s deep-seated resentment and dissatisfaction over more than five decades of repressive Chinese communist rule.
Since the Chinese Government has accused His Holiness of orchestrating these protests in Tibet, he called for a thorough investigation to examine these allegations, even offering access to the Central Tibetan Administration files and records here in India. So far, this offer has not been taken up, but the situation in Tibet becomes graver by the day. Therefore, His Holiness said that it is difficult for him to continue to shoulder such a heavy responsibility when the present Chinese leadership does not seem to appreciate simple truth, reason and common sense. In the absence of any positive reciprocal response from the Chinese leadership, His Holiness feels that if he cannot help to find a solution, he would rather not hinder it in any way. His Holiness feels he cannot afford to pretend that his persistent efforts to find a mutually satisfactory solution to the Tibetan problems are bearding fruit.
Therefore, on 11 September His Holiness called a special meeting of Tibetans form all parts of our community in exile to engage in wide-ranging discussions with the aim of identifying realistic and non-violent options for the future course of our struggle. His Holiness concluded that when all is said and done it is for the Tibetan people themselves to decide about their collective future."
Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Dharamsala, India
(Photo: Getty Images)
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