By Phurbu Thinley
Daharamsala, April 25: Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile today acknowledged that the Chinese government had invited the Dalai Lama’s envoys to meet as early as possible.
“They have invited His Holiness’ envoys to meet as early as possible,” the Tibetan pm Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche said speaking to media after a function commemorating the 11th Panchen Lama’s 19th birthday in the evening here today.
“It is a good sign. We welcome their decision,” he said, however adding, “We don’t know what will be the result of these meetings”.
Rinpoche said from the Tibetan side they had always expressed readiness to meet and talk with the Chinese leadership to resolve the Tibet issue peacefully.
Rinpoche also said his government “never opposed the Beijing Olympics” saying “it is for the Chinese people and not for the authorities alone”.
According to him, Tibetan people’s resentment against Chinese government will continue unless China sincerely addresses their grievances.
“Tibetans inside Tibet, I think, will continue to express their resentment and we hope the PRC authorities might have the wisdom to address their grievances” Prof. Rinpoche said.
Rinpoche also ruled out any possibility of resolving the fundamental Tibet issue during the forthcoming meeting, saying it would most likely be dealing with the current situation inside Tibet.
Speaking of China’s violent crackdown on Tibetan demonstrators, Rinpoche said there had not yet been any improvement in the situation in Tibet.
“There is no release of political prisoners and no proper trial for them. Same situation, usual happenings and routine torture” Rinpoche said of the situation inside Tibet following China’s brutal crackdown on recent demonstrations by Tibetans in different parts of Tibet. “More repressive measures are repeated,” he added.
So far six rounds of dialogue have taken place between the envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Beijing.
The sixth round of Sino-Tibetan talks held in China from June 29 to July 5 last year.
Despite six rounds of talks, Tibetans leaders have lately complained there had been no concrete result at all on the fundamental issue. They have, in fact complained of increased repression and brutality in Tibet..
