Published by: World Tibet Network News 97/12/02

The Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, Nov 30-- The Indian Government has been asked to review its policy on Tibet and recognise the government-in-exile, headed by the Dalai Lama, by intellectuals and political leaders from all over the country, at a three-day seminar in "Indian Public on Tibet".

A resolution to this effect was adpoted by participants from about 10 states at the seminar, which concluded yesterday at Mcleod Ganj, the headquarter of the Tibetan Government-in-exile. The participants accused China of betraying India by occupying a large part of its terrotory in the North East.

A cross-section of politician, intellectuals and non-government organisations chalked out an action plan stressing the need for the Indian Government to adopt a firm stand on Tibet in the National interest and from the security point of view. They urged the Indian Government to raise the Tibet issue at the United Nation, as a Free Tibet could safeguard the Himalayan border on India. Assuring the Tibetans of their continued hospitality for as long as it required the participants hoped that the dream of freedom for Tibet would be achieved soon.

The participants were unanimous in their view that China had time and again betrayed India's friendship and instead responded with military aggression and the continued occupation on large parts of the nation. They accused China of not only laying claim on Arunachal Pradesh but also of helping the enemy to infringe on the country's national integrity. Recalling that India was the first country to recognise the People's Republic of China and championes its re-entry into the United Nations, they regretted that China still refused to recognise Sikkim a part of India.

A majority of the participants regretted that India's recognition of Tibet as an autonomous part of China was not only unjuct but also against the facts of history. The issue had not only turned against India's own national interest but against the peace and security of the entire region. Reeiterating their demand for free Tibet and democratisation of China the participants felt that it was the ruling Communist military establishment of China and not the people of China who were occupying Tibet.

The delegates at the seminar were asked to implement the 14-point action plan in their respective states to promote the cause of Tibet and show the support of India in their struggle to regain their lost country. A major step in this regard would be to mobilise political support among the MPs and MLAs of major national and regional parties. They urged all political parties and individual candidates to explain their stand on Tibet during the elections. They felt that the Chinese lobby and propaganda should be countered, while China's colonial and racist policy should be exposed to the world.