By Tenzin Dharpo
DHARAMSHALA, Aug. 31: Visiting Swedish delegation here earlier this morning said that the ‘Middle Way Approach,’ the official policy of the Dharamshala based Tibetan government in exile (known officially as the Central Tibetan Administration) is the golden way for the Tibetan struggle. A three-member Swedish delegation led by a member of the Swedish Parliament, Carl Schlyter, Green Party, Mattias Bjornerstedt, President of the Swedish Tibet Committee and Vice President Jamyang Choedon, are on a five day visit to Dharamshala.
MP Schlyter told phayul that the MWA is the “only viable option” given China’s global position under the present circumstances. “It is a wise approach in accordance with my own tradition to find peaceful solution to conflict. However, China is a very strong economic and military power. If they (China) can feel security over military control or national integrity and that preserving Tibetan culture and identity is not threatening their control, Tibet can be the model solution for others like Taiwan and Muslim minority (uyghur) issues,” he said.
He added, “I think this is a way to fit Swedish psyche to work in a similar way to find a solution. We had war with our neighbours for centuries, now we consider them as friends. Today we are able to freely travel, work, move and change. I hope one day soon you will have the same opportunity to protect your culture and way of life.”
His fellow delegate Mattias Bjornerstedt, President of the Swedish Tibet Committee said, “For us, the Tibet issue is not mainly about Tibet itself. It is about what is right and wrong in life and what it is to be human. It is extremely inspirational to see the methods you use in your struggle; dignity, strength, compassion that you mixed into the struggle. This should be a model for all conflicts in the world.”
Swedish Tibet Friendship Parliamentary group was formed at the Swedish Parliamentary House by five Swedish Parliamentarians: Margareta Cederfelt (M), Kerstin Lundgren (C), Carl Schlyter (MP), Tina Acketoft (L) and Caroline Szyber (KD) on 28 March 2017.
The delegation had called on the Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama earlier today and also met with the CTA leadership and the exile Tibetan parliamentarians. The delegation will meet and interact with members of the exile Tibetan civil society and attend the 57th Tibetan Democracy day officials commemoration here on September 2.
