by Catherine Field, The Observer

8 October 1995

Indecision over venerated boy bolsters Tibet Buddhist unrest

CHINA is under growing pressure to resolve a dispute over the incarnation of the Panchen Lama, Tibetan Buddhism's second most venerated figure. A Chinese source said the decision - on who Peking will say is the true incarnation - has already been taken at the highest level of government. It was feared the delay in making an announcement would give credibility to the Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader.

President Jiang Zemin and Li Peng, the Prime Minister, are personally handling the case, the source added. They are trusted by opposing factions in the regime, so the risk of one making a decision that would upset their opponents is minimal. 'Because of China's absolute control in Tibet, there isn't that much pressure internally because it can manipulate whatever happens,' said Tsering Shakya, a Tibetan historian based in London. "But outside it is a great embarrassment, and China wants to come up with some solution very quickly. It knows whatever action it takes will look bad.'

Peking had set 1 September as the date for confirming the Panchen Lama, but was preempted by the Dalai Lama's announcement on 14 May that six-year-old Gedhun Choekyi Nyima had been identified as the eleventh incarnation of the great figure. The boy was selected from 25 candidates.

Outraged at the Dalai Lama's assertion from exile, the Chinese cracked down on the monastery that organised the search for the incarnation. China then took the boy out of Tibet and placed him 'under protection' in Peking. He is now being held incommunicado in a guarded guesthouse in Peking with his parents and two other candidates.

According to officials in Peking the Dalai Lama's choice of Gedhun was illegal and invalid because he failed to seek China's approval, under an agreement in 1792 in the reign of the Qing dynasty emperor, Qianlong. China believes the sovereignty of the State takes priority over religious issues. In June, a political consultative committee declared that it 'will never recognise the reincarnated child', but subsequently reports hinted that China has not rejected the Dalai Lama's recognition. 'If China comes up with a Panchen Lama who hasn't been approved by the Dalai Lama' there will be a clash with Tibet-arts" said Shakya. 'If it comes up with the same one, then everyone will say the Dalai Lama has been right all along.'

Tension rose when the Dalai Lama visited Washington last month and met officials in the white House. President Bill Clinton 'dropped by' while the Tibetan spiritual leader met Vice-President Al Gore , which. infuriated Peking.

In March, Chinese police detained Chadrel Rinpoche, the senior abbot at Tashilhunpo monastery and head of the mission to search for the Panchen Lama's incarnation, accusing him of colluding with the Dalai Lama to pre-empt Peking's announcement. Chadrel was released in early May, but was redetained - with his' secretary - in Chengdu on 17, May while en route to Tibet.

After his detention, Chadrel, who was in good health when he arrived in Chengdu, purportedly fell ill and was admitted to a Peking hospital. 'I can't say where he is, but he is in good shape and his health is getting better,' a Chinese official said. Western diplomats in Peking have been told that Chadrel 'has completed his education' - a phrase which means that his interrogation has finished.

So far the Chinese police have arrested 48 Tibetans for supporting the Dalai Lama in the dispute. According to the Tibet Information Network, based in London, the 37 monks and Ii lay people arrested are either from or connected to Tashilhunpo, the monastery in Shigatse, traditional seat of the Panchen Lama.

At least 32 monks were arrested in July after they hissed and spat at a meeting with Tibetan leaders who denounced the Dalai Lama, stoned the officials' cars as they left Tashilbunpo. and chanted 'We support Chadrel Rinpoche!, Long live Chadrel Rinpoche!

Six hardline pro-China monks have since been appointed to senior positions in the management committee at Tashilhunpo.

The tenth Panchen Lama 'died at Tashilhunpo in 1989. He was the highest-ranking lama to remain in Tibet after 'the Dalai 'Lama and others fled to India in 1959.