Verein der Tibeter in Deutschland e.V.

First I would like to offer my heartiest greetings and Tashi Delek to all our brothers and sisters – those who could participate in the Special Meeting and those who wish to participate but cannot. In this short paper I want to address three issues: factors that led to the recent March uprisings in Tibet, the present situation of Tibetan struggle on the international stage, and the suitability of the Middle Way Policy.

Factors of the March Uprising

Even though I am tempted to say that there is one and only one factor that led to the widespread uprising in Tibet, namely the Tibetan people’s aspiration for independence, it would be rather simplistic on my part to do so. The situation is highly complex and so many factors were in play.
Please, read more….:http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=23237&article=Suitability+of+Middle+Way+Path%3a+A+Brief+Analysis&t=1&c=1
http://www.tibettimes.net/news.php?id=582

Finally, I would like to point out two things that we must be circumspect of when resolving the Tibetan issue.

1. In the process of negotiation we must never accept any conditions that could have negative consequences to the preservation of our national and cultural identity.

2. The Tibetan government should ensure that the final decision making power is in the hands of the six million Tibetans as stated in the Middle Way Policy.
If necessary steps are not taken to guarantee these two elements, then real dangers of losing the national and cultural identity of the Tibetan people could arise and also risks of fostering dissensions amongst the Tibetan people of the three provinces may arise. Moreover, since establishing a democratic form of government in Tibet has been one of the highest aspirations of the Middle Way Policy, allowing the Tibetan people to choose their final destiny has the added advantage of promoting open competition, facilitating participation of maximum numbers of people in the process of political decision-making, and ensuring basic civil liberties. These characteristics constitute the three dimensions of the “root concept” of democracy,(iv) and following this path could ensure the fulfillment of our aspiration to have democratic government, formation of a stable community and a government that is by the people and for the people.

Khyunglho Tsetan Dolkar got her PhD. Degree in the field of political science from Philipps University in Marburg, Germany. Her dissertation was on the Sino-Tibetan relations and the internationalization of the Tibetan issue. She is currently living in Atlanta, Georgia, and is continuing her research in this field. She can be contacted at khyunglho@yahoo.com

SUMMARY OF THE MEMORANDUM ON GENUINE AUTONOMY FOR THE TIBETAN PEOPLE

INTRODUCTION
During the seventh round of talks in Beijing on 1 and 2 July 2008, the Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and the Minister of the Central United Front Work Department, Mr. Du Qinglin, explicitly invited suggestions from His Holiness the Dalai Lama for the stability and development of Tibet. The Executive Vice Minister of the Central United Front Work Department, Mr. Zhu Weiqun, further said they would like to hear our views on the degree or form of autonomy we are seeking as well as on all aspects of regional autonomy within the scope of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
Please, read more here… http://tibet.net/en/index.php?id=533&articletype=flash&rmenuid=morenews
Tibetan Version:memorandum-in-tibetan

(BRUSSELS) – Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, will address the European Parliament next month, an assembly spokesman said Friday.

The Dalai Lama was invited to talk at the parliament several months ago as part of the European year of intercultural dialogue, and his visit to Brussels has been confirmed for December 4.

Two days later, the Nobel peace prize winner will meet French President Nicolas Sarkozy, whose country holds the EU rotating presidency, at a ceremony to mark the 25th anniversary of the awarding of the prestigious peace prize to Lech Walesa, the iconic former leader of Poland’s Solidarity trade union.

The announcement of the meeting between Sarkozy and the Dalai Lama has angered China which warned Sarkozy on Friday that it could hurt relations between the two countries.

“Currently relations between China and France, and Europe and China, are in the process of improving and developing, and this situation is the result of hard work. So we should cherish it,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said.

The Dalai Lama has sought “meaningful autonomy” for Tibet since he fled his homeland following a failed uprising in 1959 against Chinese rule, nine years after Chinese troops invaded the region.

Text and Picture Copyright 2008 AFP. All other Copyright 2008 EUbusiness Ltd