By Tenzin Choephel
Phayul Correspondent
Kathmandu – A survey of Tibetans in Nepal on the subject of the latest Chinese offer to talk with private representatives of His Holiness revealed that majority of the Tibetans were very skeptical about the sincerity of the Chinese Government even though many welcomed the decision and thought that it was a step towards the right direction. Others believed it was a move by the Chinese to save the Olympics from further embarrassment.
Mr. Tashi Phuntsok, Speaker of the Nepal Tibetan Solidarity Forum while speaking to Phayul said, “We welcome the decision but we are still very concerned about the current situation in Tibet, our immediate objective is to protect Tibetans in Tibet, we have no idea what’s happening there, therefore we demand China to immediately allow independent fact finding mission and media persons”.
Tibetan MP Mrs. Dolma Tsomo said that it was a question of how far the Chinese are committed, their immediate concern being the Olympics, if it is to ensure safe games then it is not right. She further added, “We are skeptical but also hopeful that something substantial comes out of this dialogue”.
Many of the younger generation Tibetans have similar views. Tsetan, a Tibetan journalist said, “It is indeed welcomed but it would also be interesting to see what China can offer to the Tibetan side, or if it is a Chinese strategy to calm the present Tibetan movement and international support in the run up to the Olympics. Let us hope it’s a sincere step by Chinese authorities. I am anxiously waiting for Sino-Tibetan meeting very soon, before the Olympics”.
Tsewang Palden, a young Tibetan professional thinks that it is an attempt to improve public relations, a step taken at the advice of hired foreign public relation consultants. He doubts Beijing’s sincerity. Tenzin Wangdu, former president of RTYC Kathmandu also coins same opinion and likewise Dr. Tashi Droji feels that Chinese Government announced it just for the sake of the Olympics, he further said, “China should talk directly with His Holiness the Dalai Lama otherwise we should continue our movement until we get concrete results”.
There have been six rounds of dialogue between the Chinese Government officials and special envoys of the Dalai Lama in the past but with no tangible outcome, the envoys themselves have publicly stated their frustrations. Many Tibetans saw the Olympics as an opportunity to decide the future of Tibet and the freedom of Tibetans. In the run up to the Olympics there have already been scores of protests by Tibetans in Tibet and those in exile. Many Tibetans have lost their lives and many are believed to be in danger of persecution inside TAR.
All these are marked to be an important period in the history of modern Tibet and even with the call for dialogue from the Chinese, Tibetans are weary given China’s record of the previous talks. They now anxiously wait for the actual dialogue to take place and hopefully see an agreement between the two governments leading towards genuine autonomy or freedom for Tibet that would decide the future of six million Tibetans.
