By Tsering Tashi
LONDON, March 12 – Speaking at a Tibet Day function here this afternoon to commemorate the 46th anniversary of the Tibetan national uprising day, veteran parliamentarian Mr. Michael Trend assured the Tibetans that British supporters of their just cause will not let them down.
“My friends, we may expect that this will be a long journey for you and your people. But remember this: at every step of the way your friends will be with you,”
he said.
Mr. Trend told a mixed audience of Tibetans, supporters and independent observers who had packed the Westminster Cathedral Hall to its capacity that we need to convert the mind, the heart and the will.
Referring to the unhelpful attitude of the Chinese authorities he said this can come through by accepting the truth.
“Our truth and our freedoms come from within and move outwards. No iron curtain, nor ice curtain can prevail against this force. We must push our government to act with courage and determination. We must never cease from giving the silent people of Tibet a voice in the world. After 46 years it is clear that this is a cause that is growing not contracting,” he said, adding that “with the Dalai Lama the Western governments have a world leader who practised what they preached.”
The former British cabinet minister said that the non-violent efforts made by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in trying to resolve the issue of Tibet “reminds us of Gandhi’s Ahimsa”. He quoted from the Tibetan Nobel Laureate’s autobiography, “Freedom in Exile,”
and from his recent speeches in which he had said, “China’s emergence as a regional and global power is also accompanied by concerns, suspicion and fears about her power. Hosting the Olympic Games and World Expositions will not help to dispel these concerns.
Unless Beijing addresses the lack of basic civil and political rights and freedoms of its citizens, especially with regard to minorities, China will continue to face difficulties in reassuring the world that she is a peaceful, responsible, constructive and forward-looking power.”
Mr. Trend who had on several occasions raised the issue of Tibet in the parliament spoke highly of the Tibetan leader, adding, “There can be few figures in our lifetime who command respect equal to that freely given by millions of people from all over the world to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.”
The 10th March statement of His Holiness the Dalai Lama was read by Mrs. Kesang Y. Takla following the welcome remarks from Ms. Dickey Dakpa, Secretary of the Tibetan Community in Britain. Mrs. Takla, the Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Northern Europe based at the Office of Tibet, London, also took the opportunity to acknowledge the presence in the hall of longtime friends such as former European Parliament member James Moorehouse.
In this year’s statement His Holiness has again expressed his optimism in the success of his Middle Way Approach in resolving the issue of Tibet to the mutual benefit of both the Tibetan and Chinese peoples.
“It is encouraging that there is support from various parts of the world for this approach as being reasonable, realistic and of mutual benefit to the Chinese and Tibetans. I am particularly encouraged by the recognition and support that has come from certain quarters of the intellectual circle from within China,” His Holiness says.
The gathering of about 400 people at the Westminster Cathedral Hall observed a minute’s silence to remember and pay homage to all those who have lost their lives for Tibet’s freedom.
The Dance Group of the Tibetan Community in Britain besides presenting a few cultural performance also led the special prayers and 10th March commemorative songs. In London and many cities in the West, the 10th March 1959 Tibetan national uprising day is commemorated on the nearest Saturday to enable as many people to participate in the commemoration.
The vote of thanks on behalf of the Tibetan Commemorative Committee consisting of the Office of Tibet, the Tibet Society and the Tibetan Community in Britain, was given by Mrs. Philippa Carrick, CEO of Tibet Society. She also urged the people to lobby their members of parliament to support the just cause of Tibet and to sign the recent Early Day Motions highlighting the grave situation inside Chinese-occupied Tibet.
Earlier in the day a rally by a few hundred Tibetans and supporters, many carrying banners, was held outside the Chinese Embassy. This was followed by a peace march through central London that culminated near the Prime Minister’s Office at 10 Downing Street where Mr. Michael Trend and Mr. Tenzin Samphel, former Vice President of the Tibetan Youth Congress, spoke at the invitation of the Free Tibet Campaign. Tibetan volunteers tied with ropes and UK-Students for a Free Tibet members dressed as Chinese “People’s Liberation Army” personnel pulling the Tibetans by the ropes walked through the streets to especially showcase to by standers the plight of the Tibetan people under the totalitarian Chinese rule in Tibet.
