[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 29 (Monday, March 10, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E419-E420]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  STATEMENT OF THE DALAI LAMA ON THE 38TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TIBETAN 
                                UPRISING

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 10, 1997

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, today--March 10th--marks the 38th 
anniversary of the Tibetan people's national uprising. It was on this 
day in 1959 that the people of Tibet, chaffing under a decade of 
repressive Chinese Communist rule and brutal occupation, rose up in a 
violent rebellion against the Chinese. It was a cry of a people whose 
religious institutions, whose educational institutions, and whose very 
way of life were being systematically destroyed.
  The Chinese Government responded with savage brutality. Thousands 
were killed. Some 100,000 Tibetans fled their homeland and were given 
refuge in India and Nepal. Among those who were forced to flee their 
homeland was His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Since 1959 the Dalai Lama has 
lived in India, where he has continued to speak out and work on behalf 
of the people of Tibet--those still living in Tibet under Chinese rule 
and those in exile in India and elsewhere. Despite the violence and 
repression that he and his people have suffered, the Dalai Lama has 
become a voice for peace and nonviolence. In recognition of this 
outstanding contribution, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.
  Mr. Speaker, as we mark today the 38th anniversary of the Tibetan 
people's national uprising, I ask that the statement of His Holiness 
the Dalai Lama be placed in the Record. I urge my colleagues to read 
it. This gentle man of peace has again spoke with great wisdom, great 
force, and great integrity. His message is one that is important for 
all of us to understand.

Statement on the Anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising--Mar. 10, 
                                  1997

                          (By the Dalai Lama)

       In the closing years of the 20th century, as we commemorate 
     the 38th anniversary of the Tibetan people's National 
     Uprising, it is evident that the human community has reached 
     a critical juncture in its history. The world is becoming 
     smaller and increasingly interdependent. One nation's problem 
     can no longer be solved by itself. Without a sense of 
     universal responsibility our very future is in danger.
       Today's problems of militarization, development, ecology, 
     population, and the constant search for new sources of energy 
     and raw materials require more than piece-meal actions and 
     short term problem-solving. Modern scientific development 
     has, to an extent, helped in solving mankind's problems. 
     However, in tackling these global issues there is the need to 
     cultivate not only the rational mind but also the other 
     remarkable faculties of the human spirit: the power of love, 
     compassion and solidarity.
       A new way of thinking has become the necessary condition 
     for responsible living and acting. If we maintain obsolete 
     values and beliefs, a fragmented consciousness and self-
     centered spirit, we will continue to hold on to outdated 
     goals and behaviors. Such an attitude by a large number of 
     people would block the entire transition to an interdependent 
     yet peaceful and cooperative global society.
       We must draw lessons from the experience we gained. If we 
     look back at the development in the 20th century, the most 
     devastating cause of human suffering, of deprivation of human 
     dignity, freedom and peace, has been the culture of violence 
     in resolving differences and conflicts. In some ways, our 
     century could be called the century of war and bloodshed. The 
     challenge before us, therefore, is to make the next century a 
     century of dialogue and non violent conflict resolution.
       In human societies there will always be differences of 
     views and interests. But the reality today is that we are all 
     interdependent and have to co-exist on this small planet. 
     Therefore, the only sensible and intelligent way of resolving 
     differences and clashes of interests, whether between 
     individuals or nations, is through dialogue. The promotion of 
     a culture of dialogue and non-violence for the future of 
     mankind is thus an important task of the international 
     community. It is not enough for governments to  endorse the 
     principle of non-violence or hold it high without any 
     appropriate action to promote it
       With these convictions I have led the Tibetan freedom 
     struggle on a path of non-violence and have sought a mutually 
     agreeable solution to the Tibetan issue through negotiations 
     in a spirit of reconciliation and compromise. Inspired by the 
     Buddha's message of non-violence and compassion, we have 
     sought to respect every form of life and abandoned war as an 
     instrument of national policy. For us Tibetans the path of 
     non-violence is a matter of principle. And I am convinced 
     that this approach is the most beneficial and practical 
     course in the long run.
       As we commemorate this anniversary, we look back at yet 
     another year of escalating repression in Tibet where the 
     Chinese authorities continue to commit widespread and grave 
     human rights abuses.
       Under the ``Strike Hard'' campaign launched by the Chinese 
     authorities in April last year, Tibetans are subjected to 
     increased torture and imprisonment for peacefully expressing 
     their political aspirations. Political re-education conducted 
     by the authorities in monasteries and nunneries throughout 
     Tibet have resulted in mass expulsion, imprisonment and 
     death. I continue to be concerned about the fate of Gedhun 
     Choekyi Nyima, the boy I have recognized as the 11th Panchen 
     Lama, and whose whereabouts are still not known.

[[Page E420]]

       Last year China dropped all pretense of respecting the 
     ancient religious and cultural heritage of Tibet by launching 
     a large-scale reform of its religious policy. The new policy 
     states that ``Buddhism must conform to socialism and not 
     socialism to Buddhism''. Under the pretext that religion 
     would have a negative influence on Tibet's economic 
     development, the new policy aims to systematically undermine 
     and destroy the distinct cultural and national identity of 
     the Tibetan people.
       New measures to curtail the use of the Tibetan language in 
     schools were introduced. The Tibet University in Lhasa has 
     been compelled to teach even Tibetan history in the Chinese 
     language at the Tibetan Language Department. Experimental 
     Tibetan language middle schools, established in the 1980s 
     with the active encouragement and support of the late Panchen 
     Lama, are being closed down. These schools were very 
     successful and were highly appreciated by Tibetans.
       These new measures in the field of culture, religion and 
     education, coupled with the unabated influx of Chinese 
     immigrants to Tibet, which has the effect of overwhelming 
     Tibet's distinct cultural and religious identity and reducing 
     the Tibetans to an insignificant minority in their own 
     country, amounts to a policy of cultural genocide. Today, in 
     most major towns and cities Tibetans are already 
     marginalized. If this population transfer is allowed to 
     continue, in a few decades Tibetan civilization will cease to 
     exist.
       Tibetans have reacted to all this repression largely 
     peacefully and I believe all people have the right to 
     peacefully protest injustice. However, recent reports of 
     isolated incidents of bomb explosion in Tibet are a cause of 
     deep concern to me. I will continue to counsel for non 
     violence, but unless the Chinese authorities forsake the 
     brutal methods it employs, it will be difficult to prevent 
     the situation in Tibet from deteriorating further.
       Being a Tibetan, I have been giving particular importance 
     to reaching out to the Chinese people, whether they are in 
     China or elsewhere. It is in the interest of both the Tibetan 
     people and the Chinese that there be a deeper level of 
     understanding between ourselves. It has always been my belief 
     that the cultivation of human relationship is of great 
     importance in the creation of an atmosphere conducive to 
     human understanding, mutual respect and peace.
       In recent times the people-to-people dialogue between the 
     Tibetans and Chinese is fostering a better understanding of 
     our mutual concerns and interests. The growing empathy, 
     support and solidarity from our Chinese brothers and sisters 
     in China as well as overseas for the plight and fundamental 
     rights of the Tibetan people is of particular inspiration and 
     encouragement for us Tibetans.
       The recent passing away of Mr. Deng Xiaoping is a great 
     loss to China. I have known him personally. Mr. Deng Xiaoping 
     took the initiative to establish direct contact with us to 
     start a dialogue to solve the Tibetan problem. Unfortunately, 
     serious negotiations could not take place during his 
     lifetime. It is my sincere hope that the succeeding Chinese 
     leadership will find the courage, wisdom and vision for new 
     openings to solve the Tibetan issue through negotiations.
       The beginning of a new era in modern China presents an 
     opportunity for constructive change and positive development. 
     The recent military clamp down in East Turkestan (Xinjiang), 
     aimed at quelling the Uighur people's demonstrations and the 
     ensuing cycle of violence are tragic and unfortunate. As in 
     the case of Tibet, similarly also in East Turkestan, a 
     lasting and peaceful solution can be found only through 
     dialogue. Another important task ahead for the Chinese 
     government is the smooth transition of Hong Kong and the 
     implementation of the pragmatic and wise concept of ``one 
     country, two systems'' in spirit and letter. A constructive 
     approach to these issues provides important opportunities to 
     create a political climate of trust, confidence and openness, 
     both domestically and internationally.
       The growing international support for Tibet reflects the 
     inherent human empathy for and solidarity with human 
     suffering and universal appreciation for truth and justice. 
     To portray the support for Tibet as a plot of Western anti-
     China forces is to evade the truth for political convenience. 
     This is unfortunate because such kind of mental bamboo-
     walling will continue to prevent a constructive approach to 
     solving the problem.
       Ultimately, it is for the Tibetan and the Chinese peoples 
     to find a mutually acceptable solution to the Tibetan issue. 
     Bearing in mind this reality, we have consistently pursued a 
     course of dialogue with the leadership in Beijing. However, 
     Beijing's refusal to listen to and recognize the genuine 
     grievances of our people left us with no other choice but to 
     present our legitimate and just cause to the international 
     community.
       The Tibetan people have displayed a remarkable spirit of 
     endurance, courage and patience in the face of the most 
     brutal repression. I urge my fellow Tibetans to continue to 
     resist violent acts of frustration and desperation as a means 
     to protest against injustice and repression. If we give in to 
     hatred, desperation and violence, we would debase ourselves 
     to the level of the oppressors. The way of the oppressors is 
     intimidation, coercion and the use of force. Ours is a belief 
     in and reliance on truth, Justice and reason. This 
     distinction is our most effective weapon. The call of the 
     time for us in this period of difficulty is to exert 
     ourselves with greater determination, wisdom and patience.
       With my homage to and prayers for the brave men and women 
     who have died for the cause of Tibetan freedom.

                          ____________________