[Marxism] Dalai Lama on China & Tibet

[Greg McDonald <sabocat59@xxxxxxx>]

Dalai Lama seeks autonomy for Tibet under Chinese rule
http://archive.gulfnews.com/world/India/10116736.html
04/07/2007 10:11 PM | IANS

New Delhi : Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama has said he accepts  
Chinese sovereignty on Tibet, albeit with a measure of self-rule for  
the Tibetans, but asserted that the so-called autonomy granted to  
Tibet by the Chinese has in reality meant the "rule of terror."

In an interview with Karan Thapar of CNN-IBN, the Dalai Lama also  
expressed his disappointment with the way the Indian government  
banned Tibetans from carrying out demonstrations during the visit of  
Chinese President Hu Jintao to India in November last year and  
suggested that New Delhi review its "overcautious" Tibet policy to  
bring it in line with ground realities.

Material interest

"Tibet is a backward country - economically, materially. Therefore,  
in our own interest as far as material development is concerned, we  
want to remain within the People's Republic of China," the Dalai Lama  
said in the interview to be broadcast tonight.

The Dalai Lama's clarification comes against the backdrop of Chinese  
Premier Wen Jiabao's offer to hold talks with him on the Tibet issue  
provided he dropped his demand for an independent Tibet.

Culture preservation

"Since we are not seeking independence or separation, we want certain  
rights within the concept of autonomy or self-rule," he said. "Our  
main concern is the preservation of our culture, our spirituality and  
environment", he added.

"I think many visitors to Tibet, including many Chinese, see Tibet is  
actually ruled by terror. The Tibetans should have the final  
authority, except foreign affairs and defence," he said.



 

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