2006年12月25日 星期一

In Tibet's interest to be part of China: Dalai Lama

By Prithwish Ganguly Sun Dec 24, 5:17 AM ET

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - It was in the interest of Tibetans to be a part of China as the Asian country was an economic giant, Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, said on Sunday.

"It is in our own interest to remain with People's Republic of China. A powerful nation -- economically very powerful," he told an audience at a book launch in the Indian capital.

"So, therefore, being with the People's Republic of China is our own interest provided they give us meaningful autonomy," the Nobel peace prize winner, who lives in exile in the Himalayas in northern India with his followers, said.

"That's (autonomy) the safeguard of preservation of the culture."

He reiterated his "Middle Way" approach for autonomy but not independence for Tibet, sandwiched between China and India.

The Dalai Lama also said he was not against Chinese economic development of the Himalayan region.

"If you want, modernize Tibet," he said.

"Every Tibetan wants a modernized Tibet."

China bound itself closer to Tibet with a new railway link -- the world's highest such connection -- to Lhasa in July, the region's capital, which Beijing vows will bring greater economic development to the region.

But the train, with pressurized cabins to withstand high-altitude, has been criticized by some Tibetans who say it will endanger the region's fragile ecology and undermine its unique cultural identity.

A nephew of the Dalai Lama has said the train would bring an influx of long-term Chinese migrants and "militarize" the region and likened the rail link to the "second invasion of Tibet."

Chinese troops first occupied Tibet in 1950. Nine years later, after a failed uprising, the Dalai Lama and thousands of fellow Tibetans fled to India.

Beijing considers the Dalai Lama as a "splittist" or a separatist and suspects his motives.

But the Dalai Lama said the problem lay elsewhere.

"The real threat of Tibetan separation... in China is the Buddhist culture."

He said that China did not respect Tibet's culture and was deliberately diminishing its religious traditions and language.

"Intentionally or unintentionally, some kind of cultural genocide is taking place in Tibet."

Limited contacts between Chinese officials and Tibetan exiles have resulted in negligible compromise so far. But the Dalai Lama said there was scope for more talks.

"We are fully committed for dialogue with China in spite of Chinese government's criticism and repression toward us."

Last month, the Dalai Lama was quoted in the Japanese media as saying one day he hoped to return to Tibet one day.

張貼者： Miss Stranger 於 12/25/2006 08:06:00 上午