From: World Tibet News - Saturday, June 4, 1995 - Special Issue

THE DALAI LAMA MESSAGE

China is presently in transition to a new era. The fate of China isand must be of great concern to the international community. It has greatrelevance to peace, freedom and security in Asia and in the world.

As a Buddhist monk, as a Tibetan and as a member of our global humanfamily, I have been following the vicissitudes of China's political coursewith concern, hope and expectation.

One of the most encouraging, moving and hopeful events in the recent Chinese history has been the democracy movement of 1989. The world had a rare opportunity to see the human face and spirit of China. Millions of Chinese brothers and sisters displayed openly and peacefully their yearning for freedom, democracy and human dignity. Although they had been born and raised under the slogan that "power grows out of the barrels of guns", they embraced non-violence in a most impressive way reflecting the values for which the movement stood.

Despite the tragedy at the Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989, the democracy movement has been able to set a process in motion, which I consider as irreversible. Brute force, no matter how strongly applied can never subdue the basic human desire for freedom. People do not like to be bullied, cheated or lied to by either an individual or a system. Such acts are contrary to the essential human spirit. Therefore, even though those who practice deception and use force may achieve short-term success, eventually they will fail. On the other hand, everyone appreciates truth and respect for it is really in our blood. Truth is the best guarantor and the real foundation for freedom and democracy.

I have always considered the deplorable Tiananemen Square massacre as a temporary setback to the Chinese democracy movement. To date, Chinese patriots with courage and vision are continuing the struggle for justice, freedom and democracy in China at a great personal risks.

I believe strongly that the international community has an obligation to morally and politically support the Chinese democracy movement. It has been wise not to isolate China but instead to make efforts to bring her into the mainstream of the world economy. But economic integration alone is not sufficient. China needs human rights, democracy and the rule of law. These values are the foundation of a free, dynamic, stable and peaceful society. Such a society would also offer far greater economic freedom, security and other advantage. Therefore, every effort should be made to bring China also into the mainstream of the world democracy. In the final analysis it is the dedicated and courageous members of the Chinese democracy movement who will lead China into a future of freedom and democracy and no one else. For that reason the Chinese democracy movement must be given every possible assistance, encouragement and support.

As a believer in non-violence, peace and freedom, I have supported the non-violent democracy movement in China from the beginning. Despite the brutality of the Tiananmen Square massacre and the continued political persecution, I pray that those involved in China's democracy movement will always remain non-violent. This is the human approach and the pursuit of the path of non-violence and peace is closest to our basic human nature.

Today, as our Chinese brothers and sisters commemorate the

anniversary of the June 4, 1989 massacre at the Tiananmen Square, I wish to pay my respect to those who died for freedom, democracy and human rights of your great nation. I also pray for those of your compatriots who are imprisoned because of their courageous advocacy of those universal and inherent human values and for the success of your democracy movement.

Dharamsala, June 4, 1995