Dalai Lama and Obama Meet to Talk About Tibet

WASHINGTON — President Obama met privately with the Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual leader of Tibet, at the White House on Saturday, despite a warning from Beijing that the meeting would risk damaging relations between China and the United States.

Reflecting the diplomatic delicacy of the visit, the 44-minute meeting with the Dalai Lama — Mr. Obama’s second as president — was closed to the news media. China considers Tibet its territory and the Dalai Lama a separatist, although he favors self-rule rather than independence.

The Dalai Lama underscored that point in his conversation with Mr. Obama, according to a White House summary of the meeting. The White House statement also reflected the delicate balance Mr. Obama sought to strike, saying he expressed “strong support” for direct talks and a resolution between China and Tibet that protects both Tibetans’ rights and China’s claim to the territory. But Mr. Obama also “stressed the importance he attaches to building a U.S.-China cooperative partnership.”

“The president reiterated his strong support for the preservation of the unique religious, cultural and linguistic traditions of Tibet and the Tibetan people throughout the world,” the statement said. “He underscored the importance of the protection of human rights of Tibetans in China.”

The meeting came at a particularly delicate time as China, the largest creditor to the United States, has expressed concern about the risk of a default on American bonds if Mr. Obama and Republicans cannot break their impasse over raising the nation’s legal debt limit.

Beijing on Saturday reiterated its call for Mr. Obama to cancel the meeting, according to China’s official news agency, Xinhua. “The issue regarding Tibet concerns China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and we firmly oppose any foreign official to meet with the Dalai Lama in any form,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

Mr. Obama declined to meet with the Dalai Lama in his first year as president, in October 2009, drawing international criticism as seeming to put economic interests with China ahead of human rights. The administration said the two would meet after Mr. Obama’s first trip a month later to China, where the United States was eager for Chinese cooperation in preventing nuclear proliferation in North Korea and Iran. Their introduction came the following February.

The Dalai Lama, a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, has lived in exile in India since 1959, when China repressed a Tibetan uprising. He was in Washington for a Buddhist celebration.

Kashag’s Statement on the Occasion of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s
Seventy-Sixth Birthday Celebration

On this very auspicious occasion of the seventy-sixth birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Kashag, on behalf of all Tibetans in and outside Tibet, would like to offer our heartfelt greetings and at the same time single-mindedly beseech Your Holiness to remain with us to dispel the suffering of all human beings and especially to guide the Tibetans as long as possible.

Today is a special day not only for the Tibetans but for people all over the world for whom a new champion of world peace was discovered. Taking this opportunity, the Kashag would like to offer our warm greetings to people all over world in general and particularly those who offer their support and stand in solidarity with Tibet and Tibetans. Throughout his entire life, His Holiness has been tirelessly working for the welfare of the Tibetan people and when Communist China violently annexed and occupied Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama was forced to come into exile to protect Tibet and her rich cultural heritage, including the Buddha dharma. In exile, His Holiness the Dalai Lama led more than 100,000 Tibetans and rehabilitating them in settlements and building various institutions to preserve Tibetan culture and religion. His Holiness has also established many schools where the younger generation of exile Tibetans can get opportunities to study both modern and traditional education. For over half a century, His Holiness the Dalai Lama widely travelled all over the world to speak and promote the principles of peace and compassion. As a result the Buddha dharma has spread to many parts of the globe and won the support of many people and nations, which helped sustain the issue of Tibet alive on the global forum. The just cause of Tibet has become an issue of interest and many stand in solidarity with Tibet. Moreover, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has abandoned the idea of victory for oneself and defeat for the other and initiated the principle of the Middle Way Approach to resolve the issue of Tibet, which has won overwhelming majority support from the Tibetans inside and in Diaspora. This has also led to an increasing number of truth- and peace-loving people and nations around the world to clearly see that the issue of Tibet is a just cause and that the Chinese Communist authorities’ position is wrong. In exile, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has also introduced democratic process with the establishment of democratic institutions such as the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, ratification of the Charter for Tibetans-in-Exile and the election of Kalon Tripa directly through popular people’s vote.

As the Tibetan people have more understanding of the democratic process and inculcate a higher level of democratic culture, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has recently devolved all his powers to an elected Tibetan leadership, which was the first time that such a historic step has been taken in Tibetan history. These are some of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s innumerable and immense achievements. On this extraordinary day, the Kashag would wish to gratefully thank and remember the visionary steps that His Holiness the Dalai Lama took in the democratization of the Tibetan polity and devolving all his powers to the elected Tibetan leadership, which will represent the six million Tibetans living in and outside Tibet and has empowered the elected leaders to continue to work hard. His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s democratization of the Tibetan polity has given the Tibetans the opportunity to make the issue of Tibet more global and strengthened the legitimacy of the exile administration. However, a few people in our community, who are not satisfied with His Holiness the Dalai Lama devolving all his powers, still continue to criticize him without recognizing and respecting his tireless work for Tibet and the Tibetans. Taking democratic rights as an excuse, these people, who do not have to shoulder any responsibility and who are devoid of any principle and moral values, use their glib tongues to express their dissatisfaction. It is clear that these are aimed neither to improve the democratic culture nor for the welfare of society or for the improvement of Tibetan political discourse. And the fact that the society at large ignores these unjustified criticisms without challenging nor to responding to them is a sign that, perhaps, our collective merit is exhausted.

On this special occasion, the 13th Kashag nearing its completion of term of office would like to pay our respect to the Tibetan people and at the same time would like to remind you the following. At this time when important changes are taking place in Tibetan political system, the exile community by abandoning regionalism and sectarianism, and by following democratic principles took active part and succeeded in electing a well-qualified new Kalon Tripa with immense majority support. This is a matter of pride and happiness as it signifies the unity among the Tibetans and it shows their political maturity. The Kashag would like to urge the Tibetans to uphold their spirit and determination by not being deterred by these political changes and His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s devolution of all his powers, and should further work hard to carry forward the empowerment of Tibetan polity. Regarding the Sino-Tibetan dialogue, we have made our stand clear through the Memorandum on Genuine Autonomy for the Tibetan People and Note on the Memorandum on Genuine Autonomy for the Tibetan People. Thus from our side there is nothing new to add. However, it seems that the present leadership of the People’s Republic of China has no desire to give any meaningful consideration of our Memorandum and its Note. But from our side, we have a firm determination to continue the dialogue process. Moreover, we have already formulated a clear stand and a firm base to carry forward the dialogue in accordance with any future change that may take place in the People’s Republic of China. In our continued effort towards the welfare of exile Tibetans and specifically the education and the future direction of the younger generation, many programmes regarding further improvements of the settlements are being carried out and the Basic Education Policy was introduced. Though these may have produced some positive results, there are many other programmes where we have not   satisfactorily succeeded as we had wished. However, we have no regret on our part for we tried and worked our level best. The Central Tibetan Administration managed to overcome our critical financial problems and presently the administration is self-reliant in terms of its basic needs. Due to recent political situation in Nepal, the Central Tibetan Administration has not been able to provide necessary support or to look after the welfare of the Tibetans living there. We are also deeply concerned and yet helpless that the Representative could not be appointed nor the Tibetan Welfare Association was able to register.  Even our desperate efforts to relocate Tibetan in Nepal to other places in order to downsize the population was miserably failed. Of late we have appointed a Nepalese citizen as a voluntarily liaison for the Tibetans, and we hope that he can solve some of the immediate problems that Tibetans living there face. We request the Tibetans there to cooperate with him as and when needed in accordance with local situation. Since 2008, many brave and determined Tibetans in Tibet have carried out a series of non-violent campaigns. Particularly in the last few months, many people in Kirti Monastery and in several places including Kardze have selflessly taken part in peaceful protests. We stand in solidarity with them and pay our heartfelt tribute to them. And we pray for the immediate release of all those who are imprisoned and those who are being persecuted. As the immediate and the ultimate wellbeing of all Tibetan people depends upon His Holiness the Dalai Lama, his long life is the sole basis of the Tibetan people’s welfare. It is a matter of immense happiness for us that His Holiness the Dalai Lama has time and again accepted to have a long life. Furthermore, recently when the civil servants of the Central Tibetan Administration presented a long-life offering, the state oracle envisaged that His Holiness the Dalai Lama was promised to live till the age of 113. However, the state oracle stated that it depends upon the deeds and conduct of the Tibetan people. Thus, the Kashag would like to urge all Tibetans to engage in actions that will not breach the wishes of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and at the same time to work hard in preserving our traditional values.

Finally, the Kashag prays for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the immediate fulfilment of all his wishes. May the just cause of Tibet prevail soon!

Note: This is the English translation. Should any discrepancy arise, the Tibetan version should be considered the final authority.

What China could learn from the Dalai Lama By Lobsang Sangay, Published: July 4

Wednesday, on his 76th birthday, His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be honored at Verizon Center by 11,000 people, including Arun Gandhi and Martin Luther King III, the grandson and son of the two stalwarts of nonviolence.

This spring, when people put their lives on the line for democracy during the Jasmine Revolution, with Col. Moammar Gaddafi still shedding blood to hold on to power in Libya, and despite impassioned appeals by Tibetans, the Dalai Lama devolved all his political power to democratically elected Tibetan leaders. That means that the Dalai Lama gave up his constitutional power to dismiss the Tibetan parliament, judiciary and executive; to sign or veto bills; to summon emergency meetings; and to appoint representatives and envoys abroad.

The decision of the 14th Dalai Lama to end the 400-year reign as the Tibetan people’s political leader shocked many Tibetans and the world at large. But this development was neither abrupt nor surprising.

In fact, it was a long time in coming.

For decades, the Dalai Lama had been quietly dismantling the traditional theocratic­aristocratic system of his position and preparing Tibetans for the day he would not be at the helm.

The Dalai Lama’s democratic changes began as early as 1954, with the establishment of a reform committee to exempt poor farmers and indigent Tibetans from heavy taxes. But the committee was disrupted by the invading forces of Communist China.

After Tibet was occupied, the Dalai Lama arrived in India in 1959. His vision of a secular democratic society began to be realized. In 1960, at the behest of the then-25-year-old Dalai Lama, Tibetans elected their first parliament; soon, Tibetan women were elected as representatives. Tibet’s first democratic constitution, adopted in 1963, included, at his insistence, a provision to allow for the impeachment of the Dalai Lama.

In 1991, amid the “Third Wave” of democracy, the Tibetan parliament was expanded and empowered to elect the cabinet, which had been the prerogative of the Dalai Lama as the head of state.

In 2001, on the eve of the “color revolutions” in Eastern Europe, the Dalai Lama declared himself semi-retired and introduced direct election of the head of the cabinet (known as Kalon Tripa, the position is equivalent to prime minister). Samdhong Rinpoche won with 90 percent of the votes.

This past March, after delegating all his political powers to elected leaders, the Dalai Lama rejected an appeal to stay on as the nominal head of state.

Tibet’s constitution, which guides primarily the exile administration, was ratified to reflect the new state of affairs. The Kalon Tripa, as the legitimate political leader of the administration, now signs bills into law, appoints representatives and envoys, and implements major policies.

This transition doubtless has been a source of anxiety for many Tibetans. This moment, however, also provides an opportunity to work toward a more secular, stronger and sustainable Tibetan freedom movement.

For Tibetans, this is uncharted territory. But there are indications that Tibetans are gearing up to accept the new challenges.

The Dalai Lama’s power transfer was accompanied by an unprecedented election on March 20, when Tibetans in 30 countries — from Asia to Europe to North America and beyond — cast ballots to elect a new Kalon Tripa and members of parliament. Tibetans in Tibet followed this historic election closely; the process demonstrated the indomitable spirit and resilience of the Tibetan people.

The election sent a clear message to Beijing that leadership of the Tibetan freedom movement has been entrusted to a younger generation that will build on the legacy and hard work of their elders over the past five decades.

The Dalai Lama’s retirement from politics also proves wrong the Chinese government’s propaganda that the Dalai Lama is not a religious figure but a politician.

It is a pity that the Chinese Communist Party is obsessed with the Dalai Lama’s political role and resorts to the blame game, when China’s primary concern should be the future of Tibet and its people.

Meanwhile, confusion abounds in Tibet about the Dalai Lama’s role thanks to the lack of information and transparency.

This moment poses a test for the authoritarian regime in China. Tibet has endured 50 years of rule by force. The current state of affairs in Tibet — undeclared martial law, with ongoing protests in Kirti and Kardze and a ban on tourists — shows that Beijing’s rule in Tibet has failed. Instead of hosting indicted war criminals such as Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir in the Great Hall, Beijing’s leadership has a golden opportunity to prove its sincerity, garner good will and improve the image of China if it would, as the Dalai Lama devolved his political authority, devolve its power to Tibetans to resolve the issue of Tibet.

Whatever happens, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has proven that he is a democrat.

The writer, until recently a senior fellow at Harvard Law School, will assume the post of Kalon Tripa on Aug. 8.