Families of Tibet quake victims ask Hu and Wen to invite the Dalai Lama

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Phayul
By Kalsang Rinchen
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In this Friday April 16, 2010, photo released by China's Xinhua news agency, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, left, consoles a boy as he visits orphans in Yushu county of northwest China's Qinghai province. Wen, contining his visit in quake-hit Yushu county on Friday, visited quake-devastated schools, orphanages, monasteries and camps for quake-displaced people, Xinhua said. (AP Photo/Xinhua, Fan Rujun)

Dharamsala, April 17 – Tibetans in Yushu County (Kyegudo in the traditional Tibetan province of Kham) have asked Chinese president Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao to invite the Dalai Lama, whom Beijing reviles as “separatist,” to visit the quake affected area. In the aftermath of the deadly quake that struck on April 14, 1144 people have died according to official statistics but exile Tibetans with contacts in the region say the number is much higher.

A letter reportedly written by the Tibetans of Yushu published on the website boxun.com asked the Chinese leaders to set aside political differences with the Tibetan leader and allow their exiled leader to visit the area and pray for the victims.

While thanking the Chinese leaders for the “immediate relief efforts through soldiers and all round support from different sections of the society,” the Tibetans asserted their “strong faith in the teachings of Buddha” and the “deep faith in His Holiness the Dalai Lama” since many generations.

“Today, as we are suffering from a great physical and mental anguish, we really need His Holiness to visit the quake affected area to pray for the departed souls and to provide solace to the broken hearts. Today, we request you, president Hu and premier Wen, to find the compassion in your hearts and fulfill this desire of us quake victims.”

The Tibetans assured the Chinese leaders that they have no other objective apart from “fulfilling our religious aspirations of praying for the departed souls and the survivors of the disaster.”

“In this hour of distress, His Holiness’ visit to offer prayers and condolences in person is the only way to heal our wounded hearts. There is no other better way,” the letter concluded.