World Tibet Network News Wednesday, Jul 01, 1998

Wall Street Journal, July 1, 1998

By Robert A.F THURMAN

President Clinton deserves congratulations for bringing up Tibet and the Dalai Lama in his press conference with Chinese President Jiang Zemin. In particular, Mr. Clinton's personal observations--that the Dalai Lama is honest, that Mr. Clinton personally trusts him, and that Mr. Clinton is sure Mr. Jiang and the Dalai Lama would like each other very much-offered hope of cutting through the hardened positions Mr. Jiang has inherited from his predecessors who pursued one futile hard-line policy after another in Tibet. The Solution to the problem is what the Dalai Lama has repeatedly proposed: true autonomy for Tibet under Chinese sovereignty. For China, the case for such a realistic and enlightened policy should be compelling It would be make possible the resolution of other, greater problems more central to China's future, such as peaceful reunification with Taiwan and stabilization of relations with other important neighbours.

Most important it would offer Beijing an opportunity to earn the world's trust and respect. Key Error The key error made both by Chinese and other world leaders is to believe that it is impossible for China to change its policy in Tibet since China (1) needs Tibet as an armed camp for its military security, (2) needs Tibet's vast territory and resources for its economic prosperity and (3) cannot be arto lose face by acknowledging that its past policies were misguided and destructive. All three of these notions are obsolete at best. First, the military occupation of Tibet and the maintenance of some 2,000 miles of armed frontier with Burma, Bhutan, India, and Nepal makes Chinaless, not more secure militarily. It spoils China's relations with its largest neighbourhood, and burdens its military budget with the huge and fruitless expense of maintaining the frontier.

Beijing could use the money it saves by demilitarizing Tibet to modernize both its military and its economy. Second, the cost to China of extracting the lumber, herbal medicines and minerals it wants from Tibet is vastly greater than it would be if Chinese firms simply made contracts with Tibetan suppliers. At the moment China is unnecessarily attempting to colonize the highest plateau in the world (average altitude almost three miles). subsidizing huge numbers of officials and workers with hardship-duty pay and perks, and maintaining massive internal military forces to suppress Tibetans. The lesson other empires have learned is that It is cheaper and easier to invest economically In the resources of a region and let the locals have the headache and expense of running their own government, dealing with their own problems, and delivering their goods at competitive prices. If Tibetans were left to develop their own highland, with Chinese firms only as economic partners, other sources of foreign investment coul

d easily be obtained and Chinese capital could be redeployed to areas closer to home, where tens of millions of Chinese are unemployed. As a truly autonomous state allowed freely to enjoy its colorful, vibrant culture, Tibet would flourish as a tourist destination highly profitable to Chinese investors. Third, this course of action would entail no loss of face for China.

On the contrary, Beijing could wipe out once and for all its image s an aggressive aspiring super-power and gain the world-wide respect, acceptance and credibility it craves The conquest of Tibet was the work of men of a previousera; Mr. Jiang can offer a new vision There are no Tibetan freedom-fighters posing any violent threat, so the whole world would understand that the Chinese leaders were adopting an enlightened course of action on their own free initiative. The Dalai Lama presides over a non-violent campaign for justice in Tibet, and he has offered to use his moral authority to urge his people to give up their aspirations for full independence if China allows Tibetans to determine their own fate within a reunified, autonomous state. The "one country, two systems" formula, which Beijing has devised for Hong Kong and has offered to Taiwan, could be applied to Tibet. This would offer Taipei a powerful inducement to reconsider its fears and eventually to join a federal republic proven viable by the Tibeta

n settlement. Through such an enlightened change of course in Tibet Mr. Jiang him-self would surely rise to definitive pre-eminence in the Chinese leadership, hailed at home and abroad as a visionary states-man. His unmistakable abandonment of nationalistic expansionism would provoke a huge sigh of relief at home and all around China's long border.

If Mr. Clinton succeeds. in persuading Mr. Jiang to entertain such an approach, he will be taking a momentous step to Ward peace and stability in Asia, thereby establishing a major legacy of his presidency At the news conference, Mr. Jiang said the door is open to discussions, and the Dalai Lama responded at once that he was much encouraged and ready to work together for a solution. Mr. Clinton should personally seize the moment and offer his good offices as mediator to help with whatever practical steps are necessary to bring the two men together, perhaps inviting them at first to informal talks in a relaxed setting. I do not know President Jiang, but I have known the Dalai Lama for almost 40 years. He is a man of great integrity who exemplifies the best of Tibetan civilization and spiritual education. I have no doubt that, as Mr. Clinton said, the two would get along very well if they met. They would bring compassionate intelligence and practical creativity to bear on the work or realizing this win-win sol

ution, turning the seemingly endless tragedy of Tibet into a source of relief, pride, joy and unity for the people of Tibet and China.

Treat in Store Mr. Jiang has a treat in store as he be-gins to discover why people are so interested in Tibet and so supportive of its civilization. He will beastonished to learn that Tibet was no dark and primitive place of feudalism or slavery, but as sophisticated spiritual culture. As a scholar of Tibetan civilization. I have had the privilege of studying in depth the intricate and beautiful culture, art and religion of Tibet. Tibet's greatest treasures are not the historical artifacts of a lost civilization to be relegated to museums and history books This great civilization- particularly its mind sciences which promote individual and collective understanding and peace-remains vibrant and more relevant than ever to a world torn by prejudice and violence This is why I urge Mr. Jiang to take Mr. Clinton's friendly advice to meet with the Dalai Lama solve the problem of Tibet and bring lasting stability, harmony and peace to Asia for the generations to come.

*Mr. Thurman is a professor of Indo-Tibetan studies at Columbia University