ACCORDING TO THE DALAI-LAMA, THERE ARE ONLY TWO OR THREE YEARS LEFT TO REACH A PEACEFUL SOLUTION! DOES THE EU INTEND TO USE ALL ITS WEIGHT TO BRING THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE?
Strasbourg, September 24 – In a recent interview with Le Figaro, the Dalai Lama stated that he «hopes that there will be further (contacts with the Chinese) and that they will lead to serious discussions». He added that «for the moment, basically there is nothing new. Since the 1980s we have been demanding self-determination rather than independence. The Chinese are well aware of this.» He also said that «the Tibetan youth organisations clearly want independence. They do not agree with my policy. But we are no longer in conflict.» «To be honest, if my approach fails, these young people will have every right to take back the torch and claim independence.» «We must be patient. The resumption of contacts with China only took place one year ago. But if there are no results within two or three years, it will be difficult for me to justify the “middle way” to the young people.»
Question from Olivier Dupuis, Radical Member of the European Parliament, to the Commission:
“Is the Commission aware of the radical development in the position of the Tibetan leadership, with the clear statement of the need to find a solution as soon as possible (within two or three years)? Does the Commission not believe that it should do everything in its power to lead the Chinese authorities and the Tibetan government-in-exile to come to a rapid agreement on the definition of a statute of full autonomy for Tibet in all fields apart from defence and foreign policy? Is the Commission aware of the risk that Tibet will turn, after the deadline of two or three years indicated by the Dalai Lama, into a new centre of tension, or even of violence, repression and bloodshed? To that effect, does the Commission not believe that it could help to bring about the opening of negotiations by recommending that the Member States of the EU should recognise the Tibetan government-in-exile?”
