Owen Kelley translated this text from French to English, on November 7, 1996, and he accepts all responsibility for errors in translation.
LE MONDE
Wednesday, October 30, 1996
Number 16,099 -- Year 52
page 3
The Dalai Lama, the spiritual and political leader of the Tibetans A cultural genocide is taking place in Tibet
In an interview with Le Monde, the Dalai Lama says he is ready to negotiate with Peking without prerequisites
The Dalai Lama arrived in Paris, Monday, October 28, for a two day visit to the French capital. The Tibetan spiritual leader is due to be received Wednesday at the French National Assembly by several deputies and senators. He is also due to meet with Lionel Jospin, at the headquarters of the Socialist Party, and Jean Tibari, at the Paris town hall, before appearing on TV (see page 27). Not a single official meeting is planned with representatives of the State. The Chinese government, however, issued a warning to the French authorities demanding they "respect their promises" [of not recognizing the Dalai Lama], otherwise relations between the two countries will "feel the effect."
Dharamsala (India) - from our special correspondent
LE MONDE
Repression continues in Tibet, but you persist in suggesting a dialogue with Peking. Is there still hope of bringing the Chinese to the negotiating table?
DALAI LAMA
Despite the degradation of the Tibetan situation, my position has not changed: if movement or positive signs come from the Chinese side, I am ready to negotiate without any prerequisite. At this moment, there is certainly not a lot of hope. But I think things will evolve, because China is in the process of changing.
Above all else, the Chinese are preoccupied with their own legitimacy and, for that reason, they want to show the outside world that they are a great nation that no one can tell what to do. But time passes and things will calm down. Perhaps, one can hope for something after the next congress of the Communist Party, next year. The Chinese will have to define a more constructive approach, like having relations with Tibet.
LE MONDE
Then one cannot talk of an impasse...
DALAI LAMA
No. I do not think so. The United States and Europe are trying hard to convince Peking to have a dialogue to solve the Tibetan question.
LE MONDE
The economic interests of Asian countries with China always seem to take precedence over the question of the rights of the Tibetan people. Are you not disappointed with the attitude of the Asians?
DALAI LAMA
No. Tibet is a just cause, and if you see things from that angle, you say to yourself: [Asia] must support us more. One can become disappointed. But if you enlarge your perspective, one understands that nations must think about their economic interests. China is a big country and having relations with her is essential. Personally, I am convinced that China will not be isolated. She will fully play her role in the concert of nations.
LE MONDE
But you affirm that the Chinese give themselves up to true genocide in Tibet...
DALAI LAMA
Yes. A kind of cultural genocide is in progress in Tibet. And even if losing her independence is acceptable, then still the destruction of our spirituality, of Tibetan Buddhism, is unthinkable. Protecting the Tibetan heritage has become my primary occupation.
The primary occupation of the Chinese is the integrity of the republic. They are so occupied with military questions and foreign affairs, if only they would give Tibetans full responsibility to administer their country...
Tibet is an isolated country, very much behind the times. We need to develop ourselves. If we work in concert with a large nation like China, we would reap immense benefits. My position, therefore, is clear: in the past, Tibet was a separate country. But times have changed, the world changes. It must change! It must change! That is why I am in favor of the "middle road." That is to say, a practical attitude.
LE MONDE
But the "middle road" has led nowhere concrete because the Chinese refuse to talk. For how much longer can you convince your compatriots that an "association" with China is possible, that they should renounce independence, and that they should accept the principle of non-violence?
DALAI LAMA
(laugh) Oh! That's easy to answer: five years! ten years! I am absolutely against violence. (laugh) I am against it, in any case, because no one would ever rescue Tibet. Tibet will never be another Kuwait. And because I am very determined on this point, the Tibetans follow me. If they loose confidence in me, I do not know what would happen. They might chose violence.
LE MONDE
What would happen if the Tibetan question is not resolved during your life?
DALAI LAMA
The struggle of the Tibetan people rests completely in a single person. This is to say, in me. This is very dangerous. Time passes and I grow old. In ten years, I will be seventy years old, in twenty years, eighty. Too old! Our struggle is not that of one family, or of one man. If I die soon, it would certainly be a shock and the Tibetan cause would be greatly affected. But that does not mean that the struggle for liberation would die with me.
LE MONDE
Will there be another Dalai Lama after you?
DALAI LAMA
That depends on circumstances. If, after my death, the Tibetans are still in exile, they will want another Dalai Lama designated. But if we return to Tibet during my life and things improve, a democracy will be established, a government will be elected. In that event, the Dalai Lama will become a symbol. If we were to obtain self-determination, I would renounce all my lawful rights and I would give them to the newly elected government.
LE MONDE
You have announced an offer of a referendum by which the Tibetans in exile must state their opinion of your politics, to say if they do or do not accept your "middle road." But this proposal seems to languish. Why?
DALAI LAMA
We are in the process of preparing the organization of such a referendum. We wait for suggestions from the Tibetan community. I believe that China is in a period of turbulence and that this is not a good time for us to make definite statements. If, in a referendum, the Tibetan people say, "We want independence!", I would explain to them my view on the subject. But if they persist [in accepting nothing else], then I would have no other choice. That is why I think this is not an appropriate time.
LE MONDE
But if the majority of Tibetans do finish by rejecting your "middle road" and absolutely refuse to compromise on the question of independence, what would you do?
DALAI LAMA
Then, I would say to the Chinese, "Discuss with my people directly." And then I would take my retirement! My anticipated retirement... (laugh)
(This transcript was written by Bruno Philip)
