Taipei Chung-Kuo Shih-Pao (Internet Version-WWW) in Chinese 19 Nov 02

Exclusive Interview in London by Chiang Ching-ling: "Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile on His Expectations of Cooperation With the PRC's New Leader"

Samdhong Rinpoche, cabinet prime minister and first elected political leader of the Tibetan government-in-exile, noted on 18 November that the Tibetan government-in-exile, which resumed talks with China's Beijing Government in September this year, had expectations of, yet lacked full confidence in, the future development of ties between the two sides. Samdhong Rinpoche also pointed out at the same time that although Hu Jintao used to be the most unwelcome leader figure in Tibet, he still cherished the hope of cooperating with this new Chinese leader.

Samdhong Rinpoche is currently in London seeking support from major political parties and Parliament Members in Britain and other European nations concerning the new situation in Tibet following the resumption of talks between the Tibetan government-in-exile and China in September this year. Samdhong Rinpoche stressed that the birth of the new Parliament elected through a democratic election marked the near completion of a democratization process in the structure of the Tibet government-in-exile, and also served to lay a sound foundation for talks with Beijing. He indicated that the Tibetan government-in-exile carried out talks with Beijing under the prerequisite that Tibet and China would be combined into one country in which Tibet would have its own law and its own complete democratic system. He also urged the outside world to show support for the plan of the Tibetan government-in-exile.

The following is a summary of our interview with Samdhong Rinpoche.

Question: Regarding the bilateral talks in September, can you let us know what issues were exactly discussed during the talks that could make the Tibetan government-in-exile feel so confident and optimistic that it even urged its supporters to lower their voices of protests during Jiang Zemin's visit in the United States? What is the plan for future consultations? Is there a time schedule for dialogues?

Answer: It is true that we cherish high hopes; however, we do not yet have the confidence. This is something that I need to clarify first. Our talks with the Chinese Government look very optimistic, and also highly constructive. However, basing on our experiences over the past 23 years, we do not feel fully confident at this stage. The reason why we have expectations of the future prospects is that delegations from both sides had taken a highly affirmative approach during the talks. As regards what issues were discussed during the talks, there was no much change in the contents of the PRC's policy towards Taiwan; nevertheless, a great deal of difference was noticed in the tones and words employed by the Chinese side. Secondly, it is our expectation that the Tibet issue can be settled through consultations and dialogues between the top leaderships of both sides, not through the use of force. We believe that China's leaders have gradually come to see our expectations, and are willing to accept our delegation. It is the fact that our delegation was accepted by China, as well as the fact that the Beijing side has changed a lot in its way of thinking and in its attitude, that has made us feel so hopeful about the future.

As concerns the time schedule, there can hardly be a time schedule when it comes to political issues. One has to have patience. However, many Tibet-related issues have to be settled as soon as possible, or things may get out of our hand. At present, we hope that during the period leading to the scheduled meeting between two sides in June 2003, our supporters can remain low-key so that a favorable atmosphere can be maintained for dialogues.

Question: What are the things that may get out of your hand?

Answer: Anything that is left in a state of uncertainty for too long can become more complicated, and many unexpected things may happen. In Tibet, people are turning impatient, especially those young people living inside Tibet. Patriotic as they are, they are discontent with things in Tibet today. This being the case, we are worried that Tibet's leaders today may no longer be able to satisfy the needs of the young generation in Tibet.

Question: It has been two months since last September, and China has also had its new leaders now. As Hu Jintao used to be regional CPC secretary in Tibet, how is the Tibetan government-in-exile going to cooperate with his government?

Answer: By the time he was in charge of the affairs in Tibet, I had already left the country and therefore do not know him personally. However, Hu Jintao used to be the most unwelcome figure in Tibet, for he ruled Tibet by a strong hand and it was under his rule that the one-year-long curfew was imposed in Tibet. According to many analyses today, he was actually inclined to having dialogues in those days yet had to obey the order of the central government. Whatever the case, I believe that from his own experiences, he should know well enough in the depth of his heart that the Tibet issue is not something that can be settled through the use of force. We cannot bring ourselves to totally believe the analyses of the media. Now that he has become the new leader, people will get to know his stand several months or several years from now; and it is too early to make any comment at this moment.

Question: Do you have greater expectations of your cooperation with Hu Jintao?

Answer: Yes, I personally place high hopes on cooperation with him. Question: In view of the present situation wherein Xinjiang independence supporters have resorted to radical measures and transnational terrorism is rising, do you think the Chinese Government will change the order of the priority issues it needs to attend to, and will be willing to relax its control over the Tibet issue?

Answer: Yes and no. At the very beginning, China labeled Tibetans living in exile abroad as terrorists, yet such a label was not at all convincing to the international community. Today, the Chinese Government no longer names such Tibetans as terrorists. However, no much change has been seen in Beijing's policy towards Tibet so far. What is clear today is that with the passage of time and upon the assessment and studies of several Chinese leaders, people now know that the Tibet issue can only be settled through consultations and dialogues.

Question: Does the Tibetan government-in-exile have its own time schedule for total autonomy and power transfer?

Answer: Once consultations with China are completed, the issue of total autonomy can naturally be materialized, and the political power in the hands of Tibetan leaders can be transferred immediately; and Dalai Lama will be no more than a religious leader by then.

Question: It is said that Dalai Lama is in poor health nowadays. Is he seriously ill?

Answer: That is totally incorrect. It is true that he suffered from gastritis and was hospitalized for several days in January this year. However, he has perfectly recovered from his illness now. Judging by his age, he is in excellent health today. We believe that he can live to return to Tibet.

Question: Then, will Dalai Lama pay a visit to Taiwan as scheduled?

Answer: Dalai Lama has all along concerned himself with Taiwan. Yet by far, his schedule to visit Taiwan will have to depend on the government-in-exile's talks with China. He may put off his Taiwan visit, if necessary. Creating a favorable atmosphere and environment for talks with China and reaching an agreement with China is, after all, very important to Tibet.