China Has Sent Positive Signals For Talks: Dalai Lama
(Press Trust of India | Dehra Dun | October 28, 2002)
The head of Tibetan government-in-exile the Dalai Lama today said the Chinese government has sent positive signals to resolve the vexed Tibet issue through dialogue. "We have got some positive indications from Chinese side in September for talks (over Tibet). This is a good beginning," the highest spiritual leader of the Tibetans said here.
Talking to reporters after inaugurating the world's highest stupa (185 feet), the Dalai Lama said he was always ready to hold talks with China over the autonomy issue. He said Tibetans were committed to attain their goal of "genuine autonomy" through the principle of non-violence.
The Tibetan leader said he wanted education, preservation of culture, spirituality and environment under the control of Tibet. The government in Beijing can retain Defence and Foreign affairs, he added. "We are able to do better in these fields than Chinese who do not understand our language and culture," he said.
On how long will it take to resolve the issue, he said "it is very difficult to say, may be few months, it could be few years also." He said the Communist government in China is the most rigid regime in the world including the former USSR. However, there has been some change in thinking of Chinese people towards Tibet, he said adding "more and more Chinese are now showing their sympathy towards Tibet. Several thousand Chinese are now practising Buddhism, he added.
Friends of Tibet (INDIA),
PO Box 16674, Bombay 400050
www.friendsoftibet.org