Thaindian News

Dharamsala (Himachal Pradesh), March 11 (IANS) The Tibetan government-in-exile will not change its stance towards China and will continue to demand general autonomy for Tibet,

prime minister-in-exile Samdhong Rinpoche said Friday.

“We will not harden or soften our stand towards China. It is very consistent. Since the past many decades his holiness (the Dalai Lama) is adopting the middle path and demanding general autonomy from China. We would sincerely continue working in this direction until we get it,” said Rinpoche, while interacting with select journalists.

“There is no room for change. Our stand is absolutely clear and we would stick to it,” he said.

However, Rinpoche kept himself away from reacting on the China’s statement that the Dalai Lama was playing “tricks” to deceive the world by announcing his retirement.

“We always try to avoid reacting on what PRC (People’s Republic of China) is saying. We do not want to make statements because of two reasons. Firstly, whatever they say is mostly meaningless and baseless so it does not require any reaction from our side,” said Rinpoche.

“Secondly, we cannot use the language that China is using. We do not react until it is very necessary to clarify some factual error. So I do not have any reaction on China’s statement,” he added.

Rinpoche, who will be completing his second term as prime minister (Kalon Tripa) in May this year, has enjoyed full confidence of Dalai Lama during his tenure. He has been a powerful political figure in Tibetan establishment living in exile in India.

“We are looking forward to general autonomy (for Tibet) within PRC. We are not seeking to break away from China. We want sufficient rights to fulfil the aspirations of Tibetan people,” said Rinpoche.

“Communications are also held with China masses. But their government has totally controlled their freedom. Earlier two video conferences were conducted between Chinese people and the Dalai Lama. But later the two people, who conducted those conferences, were arrested by the Chinese police,” he stated.

“Moreover, whenever his holiness gives teaching, many Chinese come to India and abroad to attend them. Many of them also send their questions through internet,” he said.

Rinpoche also admitted that international pressure was on China but he was not very optimistic about positive results out of it.

“International pressure is already on China but we do not think that that yesterday’s announcement of Dalai Lama will put any major impact,” he said.

The Dalai Lama, who turns 76 July this year, Thursday announced his decision to retire and devolve his “formal authority” to an elected leader while staying committed to the cause of Tibet.

Rinpoche said, “Economy and trade value play important role in the world. China is a big market and there is competition in the world to appease China and to get their market. So it is difficult to get more from what we are getting today.

“Solution to Tibet issue lies with the solution to China issues. Democratisation of China and establishment of rule of law there are keys to solve their problems.”

Rinpoche said that he was not disheartened with anything and not afraid of China’s might.

“India took nearly 200 years for getting freedom and many other nations fought for 600 to 700 years. Therefore we have to continue our struggle with unshaken commitment to non-violence,” he said.

“China appears to be powerful, but their people are very weak. It is one of the weakest nations as there are no grounds of justice and truthfulness. So China can tumble down anytime,” said Rinpoche.

While reacting on the deadlock between China and Tibet government-in-exile since Feb 2010, Rinpoche said, “There are so many reasons behind this. May be they are waiting for the next government.”

Tibet’s government-in-exile will have its polls March 20, in which nearly 45,000 exiled Tibetans are expected to vote.

The Tibetan government-in-exile is in Dharamshala town in Himachal Pradesh. The government is not recognised by any country in the world. India is home to nearly 100,000 Tibetans living in exile.