The Dalai Lama Must Be Reasonable in His Demands |
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By: Louise Blouin Foundation Posted: 2008-05-04 05:08:33 |
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Heads of State and the international media should be aware of the facts on the Tibet Issue in order to manage their expectations over the proposed meeting between the Chinese government and the top envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
While China recently announced that they would initiate a dialogue with the top envoy to His Holiness shortly after a meeting with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, Heads of State should be aware that China has always been a willing partner in negotiation with Tibet on all issues apart from the question of territory and political independence. These issues importantly include the protection of ancient and sacred Tibetan culture. The probability of success from these renewed talks however should be viewed as extremely low given the nature of the demands made by His Holiness as part of 'Middle Way Approach' that seek to extend Tibetan political governance to "all Tibetan inhabited areas" -- this includes the Tibet Autonomous Region and two adjoining provinces that make up approximately one-quarter of China, a land mass equivalent to the United Kingdom, Portugal, Germany and Romania combined. His Holiness has also told Reuters on April 10 that Tibetans should also be in control of their own defense and foreign policy saying: "Tibet must have real autonomy. That means deciding defense and foreign affairs and maybe some other issues." As recently written on Forbes.com by Louise Blouin MacBain, Chairman of Louise Blouin Media and the Louise Blouin Foundation, these statements appear to be inconsistent with more recent calls by His Holiness, who has previously sought cultural, spiritual and environmental protections for Tibet. The representatives of His Holiness have also provided a different description of the Tibetan political demands, stating that their aims are for "meaningful autonomy for the entire Tibetan populated area." Since November 2007 the Louise Blouin Foundation (ltbfoundation.org) as part of its Globalization Platform (creativeleadershipsummit.org) has taken an active interest, as neutral party, in developing a collaborative solution for the region. In May 2008 Louise Blouin MacBain will be traveling to Beijing and Tibet in order to develop a proposal towards Tibetan cultural preservation with the Chinese government and Tibetan Autonomous Region Party representatives. Louise Blouin MacBain sincerely hopes that His Holiness can also participate in this dialogue and the full negotiation process. Related Links: Forbes.com: Reasonable Demands From the Dalai Lama - by Louise Blouin MacBain http://www.forbes.com/opinions/2008/05/01/tibet-china-talks-oped |
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