Samdhong Rinpoche: Don't expect miracles from the talks

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Hindustan Times
By Gaurav Bisht
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File Photo: Tibetan Prime Minister Samdhong Rinpoche (Photo: Tibetoday)

Dharamsala - Tibetan Prime Minister Samdhong Rinpoche hoped that the Dalai Lama’s envoys will be able to “convince” China to reciprocate the demands of Tibetan people.

Rinpoche, who had briefed Tibetan delegation before it left for Bejing, while talking exclusively to Hindustan Times said the talks would revolve around the “Memorandum of Genuine Autonomy submitted to Chinese representatives last November.”

“The Tibetan delegation will try to clarify their counterparts on the objections they (Chinese) raised on certain points mentioned in memorandum submitted to them,” said Rinpoche, who heads the Tibetan task force constituted to assist Sino-Tibetan dialogue.

“Demands raised in memorandum are within the constitution of Peoples Republic of China,” he added. It may be mentioned here that Chinese had “rejected Memorandum of Tibetan People” and termed it as the Dalai Lama’s demand for “covert” independence.

Prime Minister Samdhong Rinpoche, the second most powerful Tibetan leader next to the Dalai Lama, did not sound very optimistic about the outcome of talks, which resumed after a gap of 15-month.

“At least it is for sure that I don’t expect miracles,” said the monk Prime Minister, while he expressed happiness over the resumption of the talks.

Dialogue process between to the two sides had come to a standstill after talks in November 2008. Rinpoche hinted that the Dalai Lama’s envoy would seek religious freedom for the Tibetan people and wants the Chinese government to work for raising the economy of the rural and far-flung areas of Tibetan regions.

While Tibetan accused China of repression in Tibetan Autonomous Region, Prime Minister Rinpoche parried question on alleged “anti-Tibetan” policies. He declined that repression in Tibet will surface during the talks.

“Tibetan delegation will not make any specific mention about the Chinese policies in Tibet, memorandum itself is related to the rights of Tibetan people,” said Rinpoche.