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China handing down 'death sentence' to Tibetans: Dalai Lama

AFP

The Dalai Lama has warned that China is handing down a “death sentence” to Tibetans, ahead of a meeting to decide Tibet’s future approach to Beijing. The Dalai Lama is on a week-long visit to Japan, started on 31 October.AFP/JIJI/Japan

Chinese rule is handing down a “death sentence” to Tibetans, the Dalai Lama said on Sunday, ahead of a meeting to decide Tibet’s future approach to Beijing.

The region’s exiled leader is on a week-long visit to Japan for talks on spirituality as the eighth round of talks between his envoys and Chinese officials was set to begin, and just days after he said he had lost hope of any productive dialogue with Beijing.

“Tibetans are being handed down a death sentence. This ancient nation, with an ancient cultural heritage is dying,” he told a group of reporters.

“Today, the situation is almost like a military occupation in the entire Tibetan area.

“It is like we’re under martial law. Fear, terror and lots of political education are causing a lot of grievance,” he added.

The 73-year old Nobel Peace laureate said he was “semi-retiring” because of stalled talks with Beijing, and said he would convene a meeting on November 17 to discuss Tibet’s approach to dealing with China.

The meeting, which would gather exiled Tibetan communities and political bodies, could mark a sea change in the strategy for dealing with Beijing, which has ruled the Himalayan region since the early 1950s.

Another gathering of international supporters will take place at the end of the month in New Delhi.

“We will listen to the people’s suggestions, and then I think things will become clear,” he said.

“I don’t think I will completely retire, but for the time being while dealing with the Chinese central government, I can no longer take full direct responsibility. My position is completely neutral,” he said.

“Because we believe in democratic principles, the people should express their real feelings. I should not be hindering their opinions.”

The Dalai Lama said attempts by Beijing to legitimise their rule by appointing the Panchen Lama, the second most important figure in Tibetan Buddhism, had not been effective.

“The Chinese government tries to control Tibet too much through political means. One way they have taken is by choosing a Panchen Lama and trying to control (Tibet) that way. But he is not popular, and therefore not influential,” he said.

“There are young, healthy, and promising people there. They will carry out all responsibilities,” he added.

The Dalai Lama, who has lived in India since fleeing Tibet in 1959, is a frequent visitor to Japan, where he enjoys an active following.

During his stay, he is scheduled to give speeches arranged by a Japanese Buddhist group and Tibetan supporters. He will also visit children and monks.

China accuses the Dalai Lama of trying to split Tibet from Beijing through his travels overseas.

The Dalai Lama’s stated position has been one of seeking meaningful autonomy for Tibet within China. However, last weekend he said he had all but given up hope of reaching a mutually acceptable solution.

Copyright © 2008 Agence France-Presse

Published in AFP/Google News