ISSUES RAISED BY ENVOYS OF H.H. THE DALAI LAMA DURING THE NINTH ROUND OF DIALOGUE WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CHINESE LEADERSHIP

The Envoys conveyed a three-point message to the representatives of the Chinese leadership.

Firstly, a seven-point Note was presented that expanded on the Memorandum on Genuine Autonomy for All Tibetans that was presented during the eighth round of talks. The Envoys reiterated our hope that the Chinese Central Government will give due consideration and have meaningful dialogue on this. The Chinese Central Government has made different comments and expression of concerns concerning the Memorandum and the Note was intended to address these and to offer some constructive suggestions for a way forward in the dialogue process. The Note was also intended to prevent the chance of misinterpretation and misconception by the general public. The seven points in the Note include respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity of the PRC, respecting the Constitution of the PRC, respecting the "Three Adherences," respecting the hierarchy and authority of the Chinese Central Government, Concerns raised by the Central Government on specific competencies referred to the Memorandum, recognising the core issue, and offering His Holiness the Dalai Lama's cooperation for a mutually beneficial solution.

The Envoys suggested that through consultation if some of the issues in the Memorandum that are easier to be implemented are taken up in stages, it would certainly help in the gradual implementation of the basic issues.

Secondly, the Envoys emphasised that His Holiness' sole concern is the wellbeing of the six million Tibetans in Tibet. They stated that we have never raised any personal issues of His Holiness the Dalai Lama or the welfare of the few people around him.

With regard to this, the Chinese Central Government contends that most of the Tibetan people are in a happy and satisfactory situation, and that there is no Tibetan issue. Our perception is that most of the Tibetans are in a situation where they face limitless suffering and where they do not have a satisfactory religious, political, economic, language and culture, and social situation. In the light of these two differing perspectives, the Envoys suggested that there be a study by the two sides to determine the reality of the situation. This study needs to be undertaken under a situation where all the Tibetans can have the opportunity to participate without fear or suspicion. The two sides could mutually decide the practical ways to implement this. If the outcome of this study is that most of the Tibetans feel there is no problem and their present situation is satisfactory, that is what His Holiness the Dalai Lama is calling for. But if the outcome confirms that most of the Tibetan people are not in a satisfactory situation, the Chinese Central Government then needs to recognise that there is a problem in the spirit of seeking truth from facts, and both sides need to discuss and together find a solution.

Thirdly, the Envoys stated that during the informal session in Shenzhen in May 2008, we had rejected the allegation that His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the leadership in exile have instigated the demonstrations throughout the Tibetan areas since March 10, 2008 as they were without basis. Therefore, during the seventh round of talks, the Chinese Central Government accepted the reality by altering the "Three Stops" (which include asking us to stop activities for independence or instigating Tibetans in Tibet) to "Four Not to Support".

However, in recent times we find that the same allegations are being repeated. Therefore, the Envoys conveyed our feeling that the Chinese Central Government needed to clarify whether its position is what that was stated to us in the seventh round of talks. If there is a change, then the Chinese Central Government needs to undertake a thorough scientific investigation, in Tibet as well as in the Tibetan community in exile, into the veracity of their charge. The Envoys stated our readiness to extend every support to this investigation. If it is confirmed that the Central leadership's charge has a basis, then we will confess for the past action and commit not do so in the future. If there is no confirmation then the Central Government should rectify and halt the leveling of these allegations.

source tibet.net