The claim recently made by Lobsang Sangay that he is the first CTA head to visit the White House “in the last six decades” has not only shocked Tibetans the world over, but even foreigners like the respected Mr Todd Stein, a former senior adviser to the US Under-Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights and Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues, who has been compelled to put the record straight by writing on Twitter, “that’s the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, not the White House”
But some media in India and the West were too excited and quick to report Sangay’s “historical feat” story, which they will now realise or must have already realised is not true. One could easily do a Web search of the White House map to verify the facts. How embarrassing for Lobsang Sangay and those poor boys and girls working under him at Tibet.net in CTA Dharamsala, for their sensationally misleading report and press release. Will they now have the courage to face the truth and issue a statement to correct the facts so that people will stop making them a laughingstock? Besides the “six decades” issue, their 21st November report said “White House” but the photo caption said, “White House compound”. Was the caption an afterthought to set the record straight? The Tibet.net report began with, “This is the first time in the last six decades the head of the Central Tibetan Administration has been invited into the White House.”
No wonder Tibetans everywhere are confused and discussing this controversy among themselves as well as on social media. People are also full of contempt for Lobsang Sangay for shamelessly pushing aside all the great achievements and groundwork that our leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama has done all these past decades, to create his own fictional story of “historic feat … in the last 6 decades.
The office of the President of CTA, or Sikyong, was only created in 2011, after His Holiness the Dalai Lama voluntarily gave up the political power that the Tibetan people had bestowed on him. Prior to this for about ten years Samdhong Rinpoche was the CTA head. And before that the Central Tibetan Administration was most effectively led by His Holiness the Dalai Lama himself, who was not only met by leaders of many countries but was also invited to the White House (TRUE) by four sitting American Presidents to discuss the Tibet issue. Even China keeps a good record of the number of times His Holiness has visited the White House to meet American Presidents. An article in the Chinese Communist Party official mouthpiece, The Global Times, published on 22 November 2020, says, “Former US president Barack Obama hosted the Dalai Lama four times at the White House.”
So what is the reason behind Lobsang Sangay’s “six decades” “historical feat” lie? He has a lot of explaining to do and cannot fool the Tibetan people and His Holiness all the time. After this, and his delayed response in criticising Ugyen Topgyal who is now notoriously known for his critical views on His Holiness the Dalai Lama, one can easily understand how upset His Holiness must be at this egoistic and back-stabbing politician.
Lobsang Sangay’s time is almost up and we the people will only remember him as a blatant liar, for putting his chamchas in key positions in Dharamsala and Offices of Tibet abroad, and for not having done anything to bring about regional unity among the Tibetan people. And also for undermining His Holiness’ gift of democracy to the Tibetan people, by first ignoring the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission Order of 22nd November 2019 relating to “Case No 20” — first trying to ignore it, and later just before the deadline, making a brief apology to the vindicated plaintiff Penpa Tsering, former Tibetan Parliament Speaker and Washington DC Office of Tibet Representative, against whom the Kashag led by him had made some baseless charges. Ironically, it was Lobsang Sangay himself who challenged the plaintiff to take his case to court. Unfortunately, these are his legacies.
The next Sikyong will have to put in a lot of hard work to regain the trust of the Tibetan people. Let us hope we get a good and honest Sikyong this time and not someone who will mislead and misuse the official Tibet.net website to only promote himself with empty “will do” stuff. Despite his vote-catching slogan to lead His Holiness to the Potala Palace (really?) Lobsang Sangay has failed miserably to bring about the all-important Sino-Tibetan dialogue, despite spending tons of CTA money to bring some people from abroad to attend his meaningless meeting. He has also, sadly, achieved nothing to alleviate the ongoing suffering of the Tibetan people inside China-occupied Tibet. What a waste of 10 years, and mind you, this is only one decade; the fictional “six decades” he recently boasted about now has to be dropped off the radar.
Yours sincerely,
Tenzin Woser
TORONTO, Canada
28 November 2020
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily that of Tibet Sun
Lying is not without value to society. What if LS said to the news ‘I didn’t visit White House. I just visited a little building next to it.’
Reading between the lines, Donald trump has actually given hint to Lobsang Sangay to say he visited WH. LS said the US official said ‘you can publicise this meeting if you wish.’
The question of whether Eisenhower building is part of the Greater White House can be settled by writing to the US official who met LS directly. Email him. Ask him ‘Is lobsang sangay wrong and lying by saying he visited White House.’ I am sure you will get a response.
Well conceived article but blinds will still follow the piper. It is not important how big a liar our Sikyong is but how easily can our people get fooled is more important because in the long run, it will be our people who will decide the fate of our struggle.
The beauty of democracy is that we can differ in our opinion but our goal should be same. However, in our society, the difference in goal seems to be shaping our opinion. And that we all know, is not a good sign for our struggle.
At this point in time, we all need to use our culture of analysis. With our strong culture of analyzing, we should be the last people to be fooled in such an easy way. But its still not late. People need to think, think, and think before its too late.
I tell you this Sikyong job is not for the faint of heart. While govts of independent countries performing their daily duties such as taxes, Tibetan exile govt is not about that. It is about seeking freedom for 6 million Tibetans inside tibet by 150,000 exiles.
So, in the real world, this 150,000 Tibetans in diaspora represents ethnic Tibetan people’s right as either citizens of PRC, or a people of an independent country suppressed by China.
The story of Tibet is good. But the problem is there’s very little space to talk about it. Many countries are not interested because they know that China is already victorious over Tibet in their war, and that nothing Tibet does will change the new status quo. So they think it is best Tibetans adapt to the new reality.
But Tibetan president can change that perception. He or she needs to put forward a convincing case to the international puiblic on why they should support Tibet cause. Just emotion or story of political prisoners is not enough.
We should have a leader who is bit shameless and thick-faced like Lobsang Sangay. Due to CTA’s weak recognition by others, the leader should be able to insert himself into meetings without being invited, or approach leaders first, and knock on many doors, and seek funds. A meek person will not be able to do them.
Lobsang is able to get 6 million dollars yearly from Canada. This money is able to pay CTA staff salary for a year. He made job in CTA financially appealing and attractive by increasing salary and building handsome staff quarters such that many don’t desire going to USA due to comfortable living conditions. This means he made CTA sustainable and resilient.
Your argument that we need a liar in chief, with Lobsang Sangay as Sikyong, completely undermines the 60 years of our cause built by His Holiness with “truth on our side”.
Continuing with your lies.
Canadian government funding is for a total of $5.75 million over 5 years project term – not $6 million per year as you claim.
And with this objective. How did you figure they can build staff quarters under this funding?
The aim of this project is to improve the educational attainment levels of Tibetan youth living in Nepal and India to access post-secondary education and improve gainful employment opportunities. Project activities include technical training, mentoring and pilot programs as well as small grants and scholarships targeting girls. Beneficiaries consist of 34 schools with a student enrollment of 4,540 students (2,340 boys and 2,200 girls).
This is ridiculous! It is unbelievable Tibetan exiles and Chinese govt are competing with each other to pull down Lobsang Sangay’s legs.
Even the likes of Jamyang Norbu and Lobsang Wangyal, and San Francisco Journalist Topden Tsering don’t seem above this Sikyong-bashing enterprise. This kind of low business should best be left to misguided trouble-makers like Mila Rangzen, Thupten Thokmey, and Lhak Sam.
USA has now officially recognized Tibetan-govt-in-Exile representing 6 million ethnic Tibetans. This is different from Dalai Lama’s visits where he was met as a religious leader of Tibetan people.
US govt is very firm to emphasize the world ‘religious’ to circumvent Beijing’s ire. This time, LS was unambiguously received as a ‘political’ leader, managing to open an iron gate where we have been knocking for the last 60 years!
US govt has not officially recognized TGIE. There is no TGIE to speak of in the first place. It has been disbanded and in it’s place we have the CTA. The Sikyong only met with the Special Tibet Coordinator at an adjacent building to the White House, not the White House. He didn’t meet the President or any White House officials. That is the great lie LS told that you seems to have bought.
Thank you for the well analysed write-up. It should be embarrassing for Sikyong Lobsang Sangay and his officials to be publicly told by a former US advisor that the building he visited is not the White House. What is the point of misleading people and falsely claiming he had created “historical feat…. in the last six decades”. I too feel sorry for all those involved in planting that story.
Having a meeting with US officials even in the White House compound representing CTA already is a good achievement but nothing to shout or get excited about. So many Tibetan officials in the past have done many great things and attended “historical” meetings but we have not seen any of them making a big splash in the official Tibetan media. It is always best to maintain a low profile and let results speak for themselves.
With the time he has left, what Sikyong Lobsang Sangay must now do is to publicly condemn those view vocal supporters of his to join the mainstream Tibetan population and to Stop their veiled criticism of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. His Holiness will perhaps appreciate this more than organsing officially-funded grand functions to show gratitude to him. This simple act will also go a long way in proving to the Tibetan people that he really is grateful to His Holiness and fulfilling all his wishes, including unity of the Tibetan people.
Tenzin Woeser la and Tibet Sun makes a fantastic combo 👍 Thank you for sharing your striking article. 🙏 Lobsang Sangey has started his tenure with his “will do” phantom stories and ends with “5/50” and a heap of lies.
The most unfortunate truth is some people still stick to his lies and bears it. Konchok Khen 🙄