<-Back to WTN Archives
Dalai Lama calls for support for dialogue (ICT)
with Beijing in March 10 statement
ICT report, March 10, 2006
In his annual statement to Tibetans and their supporters to mark the
anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising on March 10, the Dalai Lama
emphasised his commitment to the current Sino-Tibetan dialogue, and said
that he would like to visit China on pilgrimage.
Mary-Beth Markey, Executive Director of the International Campaign for
Tibet, said: "In this year's March 10 statement the Dalai Lama seems to
be positioning himself directly in the discussions that have been
ongoing between his envoys and Chinese officials. It is a remarkably
straightforward communication to Beijing, and illustrative of an
historic commitment to forge a peaceful coexistence with China."
The Dalai Lama states that in the last round of dialogue last month
(February 15-23) in Guilin City, China, "My envoys reiterated my wish to
visit China on a pilgrimage. As a country with a long history of
Buddhism, China has many sacred pilgrimage sites. As well as visiting
the pilgrim sites, I hope to be able to see for myself the changes and
developments in the People's Republic of China."
The Dalai Lama's March 10 statement placed the Tibetan struggle in its
historical context, saying that a new era in Tibet's history was marked
in 1949 (the year of China's invasion). He refers to the first dialogue
that took place with China's leaders, specifically Mao Zedong, in
1954-5, before describing his unwavering commitment to the Middle Way
approach for resolving the issue of Tibet, and saying: "Unfortunately,
Beijing still seems unable to overcome doubts and suspicions regarding
my intention; it continues to criticize me of nursing a hidden agenda of
separatism and engaging in conspiracy to achieve this." The Dalai Lama
calls upon Tibetans and Tibet supporters to "leave no stone unturned" in
supporting the dialogue, a reference to the call from the Tibetan
government in exile to be cautious in protest activity against China.
Although the central leadership has not formally acknowledged that the
dialogue between the Dalai Lama's envoys and Beijing is taking place, a
Tibetan leader made an unusual admission last week that 'dialogue' was
taking place between the two sides and that it would continue. In a
report by Reuters on March 6, Jampa Phuntsog, Tibet's governor, was
quoted as saying: "We will have further discussions in future. But we
haven't yet reached the stage of substantive negotiations."
In Washington DC today, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said in a
statement to mark the anniversary of the March 10 Uprising: "The
situation in Tibet is a challenge to the conscience of the world that
the United States must be committed to meeting. We cannot turn a blind
eye to the struggles of the Tibetan people. His Holiness the Dalai Lama
is the key to peace and stability in Tibet."
As vigils and demonstrations were being held all over the world by
Tibetans and their supporters to remember the tens of thousands of
Tibetans killed and imprisoned by Chinese troops after their protest
against Chinese rule, the Dalai Lama paid tribute to "the brave men and
women of Tibet who have sacrificed their lives, and who continue to
suffer, for the cause of the Tibetan people." (See:
http://www.dalailama.com/page.128.htm).
March 10 demonstration in Washington, DC
Tibetans and their supporters in the Washington, D.C. metro area will
gather today from 4-6 pm in front of the Chinese Embassy (2300
Connecticut Ave, Washington, D.C) to commemorate the 47th anniversary of
the Tibetan National Uprising Day. "To our brothers and sisters in
Tibet, we ask them not lose hope, for as His Holiness the Dalai Lama
once said, 'the human spirit cannot be vanquished by brute and force
alone,'" added Mr. Lhundup Amdo from the Capital Area Tibet Association.
The event is being organized by the Capital Area Tibetan Association,
International Campaign for Tibet and Students for a Free Tibet.
Kate Saunders
Articles in this Issue:
Other articles this month -
WTN Index -
Mail the WTN-Editors
World Tibet Network NewsPublished by the Canada Tibet CommitteeFriday, March 10, 2006 |
5. Dalai Lama calls for support for dialogue (ICT)
with Beijing in March 10 statement
ICT report, March 10, 2006
In his annual statement to Tibetans and their supporters to mark the
anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising on March 10, the Dalai Lama
emphasised his commitment to the current Sino-Tibetan dialogue, and said
that he would like to visit China on pilgrimage.
Mary-Beth Markey, Executive Director of the International Campaign for
Tibet, said: "In this year's March 10 statement the Dalai Lama seems to
be positioning himself directly in the discussions that have been
ongoing between his envoys and Chinese officials. It is a remarkably
straightforward communication to Beijing, and illustrative of an
historic commitment to forge a peaceful coexistence with China."
The Dalai Lama states that in the last round of dialogue last month
(February 15-23) in Guilin City, China, "My envoys reiterated my wish to
visit China on a pilgrimage. As a country with a long history of
Buddhism, China has many sacred pilgrimage sites. As well as visiting
the pilgrim sites, I hope to be able to see for myself the changes and
developments in the People's Republic of China."
The Dalai Lama's March 10 statement placed the Tibetan struggle in its
historical context, saying that a new era in Tibet's history was marked
in 1949 (the year of China's invasion). He refers to the first dialogue
that took place with China's leaders, specifically Mao Zedong, in
1954-5, before describing his unwavering commitment to the Middle Way
approach for resolving the issue of Tibet, and saying: "Unfortunately,
Beijing still seems unable to overcome doubts and suspicions regarding
my intention; it continues to criticize me of nursing a hidden agenda of
separatism and engaging in conspiracy to achieve this." The Dalai Lama
calls upon Tibetans and Tibet supporters to "leave no stone unturned" in
supporting the dialogue, a reference to the call from the Tibetan
government in exile to be cautious in protest activity against China.
Although the central leadership has not formally acknowledged that the
dialogue between the Dalai Lama's envoys and Beijing is taking place, a
Tibetan leader made an unusual admission last week that 'dialogue' was
taking place between the two sides and that it would continue. In a
report by Reuters on March 6, Jampa Phuntsog, Tibet's governor, was
quoted as saying: "We will have further discussions in future. But we
haven't yet reached the stage of substantive negotiations."
In Washington DC today, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said in a
statement to mark the anniversary of the March 10 Uprising: "The
situation in Tibet is a challenge to the conscience of the world that
the United States must be committed to meeting. We cannot turn a blind
eye to the struggles of the Tibetan people. His Holiness the Dalai Lama
is the key to peace and stability in Tibet."
As vigils and demonstrations were being held all over the world by
Tibetans and their supporters to remember the tens of thousands of
Tibetans killed and imprisoned by Chinese troops after their protest
against Chinese rule, the Dalai Lama paid tribute to "the brave men and
women of Tibet who have sacrificed their lives, and who continue to
suffer, for the cause of the Tibetan people." (See:
http://www.dalailama.com/page.128.htm).
March 10 demonstration in Washington, DC
Tibetans and their supporters in the Washington, D.C. metro area will
gather today from 4-6 pm in front of the Chinese Embassy (2300
Connecticut Ave, Washington, D.C) to commemorate the 47th anniversary of
the Tibetan National Uprising Day. "To our brothers and sisters in
Tibet, we ask them not lose hope, for as His Holiness the Dalai Lama
once said, 'the human spirit cannot be vanquished by brute and force
alone,'" added Mr. Lhundup Amdo from the Capital Area Tibet Association.
The event is being organized by the Capital Area Tibetan Association,
International Campaign for Tibet and Students for a Free Tibet.
Kate Saunders
Articles in this Issue:
- Statement of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for March 10th Anniversary:
- Statement of the Kashag on the 47th Anniversary of the Tibetan Uprising Day
- Dalai Lama 'wants to visit China' (BBC)
- Dalai Lama wants to go to China (AP)
- Dalai Lama calls for support for dialogue (ICT)
- US Annual Human Rights Report Says China Commits Serious Human Rights Abuses in Tibet: President Bush to hold summit with Chinese President Hu in DC
CTC National Office 300 Leo-Pariseau, Suite 2250, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H2X 4B3
T: (514) 487-0665 F: (514) 487-7825 ctcoffice@tibet.ca
T: (514) 487-0665 F: (514) 487-7825 ctcoffice@tibet.ca
© 2010 Canada Tibet Committee
Developed by 