Published by: World Tibet Network News, Tuesday, July 16, 1996

Kesang Y Takla (Mrs)

16 July 1996

Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama

LONDON, 16 July 1996

His Holiness the Dalai Lama today addressed over 200 British Parliamentarians and members of the international diplomatic corps at the Houses of Parliament in London. The talk was organised at the invitation of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet. His Holiness spoke on the present deteriorating situation in Tibet under Chiense rule and the future of Tibet.

In his address, His Holiness called on China for negotiations without pre-conditions. The Tibetan leader said, "Today, the freedom struggle of the Tibetan people is at a crucial stage. In recent times the Chinese government has hardened its policies, increased repression in Tibet and resorted to bullying tactics in addressing the problems of Tibet. Observance of human rights in Tibet has, sadly, not improved. On the contrary repression and political persecution have lately reached a new peak in Tibet."

His Holiness, however said, "I am convinced that the next few years will be crucial in bringing about honest negotiations between us and the Chinese government. Such negotiations are the only way to promote a peaceful and comprehensive resolution of the Tibetan question. Moreover, the present situation offers a historic opportunity for the members of the international community to reassess their policy towards China, in order both to influence and to respond to the changes that are taking place in that country."

His Holiness emphasized "in our struggle for freedom and justice I have always tried to pursue a path of non-violence in order to ensure that a relationship based on mutual respect, friendship and genuine good neighbourliness can be sustained between our two peoples in the future...

I believe that it is more important to look forward to the future than to dwell in the past. Theoretically speaking it is not impossible that the six million Tibetans could benefit from joining the one billion Chinese of their own free will, if a relationship based on equality, mutual benefit and mutual respect could be established. If China wants Tibet to stay with her, it is up to China to create the necessary conditions... Over the past several years, I have made continuous efforts to start a negotiations with the Chinese government."

His Holiness said..."I remain committed to negotiations with China. In order to find a mutually acceptable solution, I have adopted a "middle-way" approach. This is also in response to, and within the framework of, Mr Deng Xiaoping's stated assurance that "anything except independence can be discussed and resolved". I have formulated the basic ideas of "middle-way" approach in my former proposals, the Five Point Peace Plan (1987) and the Strasbourg Proposal in 1988. I regret very much that Mr. Deng Xiaoping has not been able to translate his assurance into reality. However, I am hopeful that his successors will see the wisdom of resolving our problem peacefully through negotiations. These proposals were very well received internationally, and they can still form a rational basis for negotiations. My framework for negotiations does not call for the independence of Tibet. What I am striving for is genuine self-rule for Tibet. Today I wish to reiterate our willingness to start negotiations with China an

ytime, anywhere without any preconditions. And I extent to China's leaders an invitation to open negotiations as soon as possible in the interests of both Tibetan and Chinese peoples."

It is now up to China to create the necessary conditions for the negotiations to take place.