Congressional Record: March 10, 2004 (Senate)
Page S2538-S2539
TIBETAN UPRISING DAY
Mr. BROWNBACK. Madam President, March 10 has been known around the
world as "Tibetan Uprising Day." Today, as Tibetans remember those
who died resisting Chinese occupation, we too should reflect on the
struggles that have faced Tibet since that fateful day 45 years ago.
The events of that day, followed by over four decades of struggle by
the Tibetan people, is a plight that has become known to many around
the world.
After Chinese invasion in 1949 and despite the 1951 Seventeen Point
Agreement forced upon the Tibetans by the Chinese Government, it was
clear by 1958 that they had no intention of securing the preservation
of Tibetan autonomy and institutions. By March 10, 1959 so many
Tibetans feared for the Dalai Lama's life that they surrounded his
compound as a means of protection and began protesting Chinese
occupation. Only seven days later the Dalai Lama escaped to India
fearing for the lives of his vigilant people. After the crowds refused
orders to leave the compound and unaware of the Dalai Lama's escape,
the People's Liberation Army launched an attack killing thousands of
innocent civilians. It is estimated that 87,000 Tibetans were killed,
arrested or deported to labor camps during the uprising. Many attempted
escaping the communist persecution to India, but only a small
percentage actually survived the difficult conditions.
The United States has long supported the Tibetan right to self-
determination and has declared Tibet to be an occupied territory. In
2000 this very body passed a resolution recognizing March 10 as Tibetan
Uprising Day. In fact, the United States has supported the Dalai Lama's
commitment to a dialogue and has commended him for his 1989 Nobel Peace
Prize recognizing his efforts to work for self-determination through
non-violent means. In the Dalai Lama's statement today he said, and I
quote,
My hope is that this year may see a significant
breakthrough in our relations with the Chinese Government. As
in 1954, so also today, I am determined to leave no stone
unturned for seeking a mutually beneficial solution that will
address both Chinese concerns as well as achieve for the
Tibetan people a life of freedom, peace and dignity.
I, like the Dalai Lama, hope that this year will be a breakthrough
year for the Tibetan cause. On the eve of the 60th Session of the U.N.
Commission on Human Rights, let us not forget or neglect the plight of
Tibetans who have struggled for too long.
I ask unanimous consent that the full statement of the Dalai Lama be
printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
Statement of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the Forty-Fifth Anniversary
of Tibetan National Uprising Day
March 10, 2004
Today we commemorate the 45th anniversary of the Tibetan
People's Uprising of 1959. I pay tribute to the many brave
Tibetan men and women who have sacrificed their lives for the
cause of Tibetan freedom. They will always be remembered.
This year marks 50 years since my visit to mainland China
in 1954 to meet with the then Chinese leaders, especially Mao
Tse-tung. I remember very well that I embarked on the journey
with deep concerns about the future of Tibet. I was assured
by all the leaders I met that the Chinese presence in Tibet
was to work for the welfare of the Tibetans
[[Page S2539]]
and "to help develop" Tibet. While in China I also learned
about internationalism and socialism which deeply impressed
me. So I returned to Tibet with optimism and confidence that
a peaceful and mutually beneficial coexistence could be
worked out. Unfortunately, soon after my return China was
embroiled in political unrest unleashed by radical political
campaigns. These developments impacted the Chinese policy on
Tibet resulting in more repression and rigidity leading
finally to the Tibetan People's Uprising in March 1959.
My hope is that this year may see a significant
breakthrough in our relations with the Chinese Government. As
in 1954, so also today, I am determined to leave no stone
unturned for seeking a mutually beneficial solution that will
address both Chinese concerns as well as achieve for the
Tibetan people a life in freedom, peace and dignity. Despite
the decades of separation the Tibetan people continue to
place tremendous trust and hope in me. I feel a great sense
of responsibility to act as their free spokesman. In this
regard, the fact that President Hu Jintao has personal
knowledge about the situation and problems in Tibet can be a
positive factor in resolving the Tibetan issue. I am
therefore willing to meet with today's leaders of the
People's Republic of China in the effort to secure a mutually
acceptable solution to the Tibetan issue.
My envoys have established direct contact with the Chinese
government on two trips to China in September 2002 and in
May/June 2003. This is a positive and welcome development,
which was initiated during the Presidency of Jiang Zemin. The
issue of Tibet is complex and of crucial importance to
Tibetan as well as Chinese peoples. Consequently, it requires
careful consideration and serious deliberations on both sides
before taking any decisions. It will take time, patience and
determination to lead this process to a successful
conclusion. However, I consider it of highest importance to
maintain the momentum and to intensify and deepen this
process through regular face-to-face meetings and substantive
discussions. This is the only way to dispel existing distrust
and misconception and to build trust and confidence.
Consequently, I have instructed my envoys to visit China at
the earliest date to continue the process. I hope that they
will be able to make this trip without delay. This will help
in building trust and confidence in the present process among
Tibetans as well as among our friends and supporters around
the world--many of whom remain strongly skeptical about the
willingness of Beijing to engage in a genuine process of
rapprochement and dialogue.
The current situation in Tibet benefits neither the
Tibetans nor the government of the People's Republic of
China. The development projects that the Chinese Government
has launched in Tibet--purportedly to benefit the Tibetan
people--are, however, having negative effects on the Tibetan
people's distinct cultural, religious and linguistic
identity. More Chinese settlers are coming to Tibet resulting
in the economic marginalization of the Tibetan people and the
sinicization of their culture. Tibetans need to see an
improvement in the quality of their life, the restoration of
Tibet's pristine environment and the freedom to decide an
appropriate model of development.
I welcome the release of Ani Phuntsok Nyidrol, even as we
recognize the injustice of her sentence and continue to urge
for the release of all political prisoners in Tibet. The
human rights situation in Tibet has not seen any marked
improvement. Human rights violations in Tibet have a distinct
character of preventing Tibetans as a people from asserting
their own identify and culture. The violations are a result
of policies of racial and cultural discrimination and
religious intolerance.
Against this background we are encouraged and grateful that
many individuals, governments and parliaments around the
world have been urging the People's Republic of China to
resolve the question of Tibet through peaceful negotiations.
Led by the European Union and the United States there is
growing realization in the international community that the
issue of Tibet is not one of human rights violations alone
but of a deeper political nature which needs to be resolved
through negotiations.
I am also encouraged by the recent improvements in the
relationship between India and China. It has always been my
belief that better understanding and relations between India
and China, the two most populous nations of the world is of
vital importance for peace and stability in Asia in
particular and in the world in general. I believe that
improved relations between India and China will create a more
conducive political environment for a peaceful resolution of
the Tibetan issue. I also strongly believe India can and
should play a constructive and influential role in resolving
the Tibetan problem peacefully. My "Middle-Way-Approach"
should be an acceptable policy on Tibet for India as it
addresses the Tibetan issue within the framework of the
People's Republic of China. A solution to the Tibetan issue
through this approach would help India to resolve many of her
disputes with China, too.
It is 54 years since the establishment of the People's
Republic of China. During Mao Zedong's period much emphasis
was put on ideology, while Deng Ziaoping concentrated
primarily on economic development. His successor Jiang Zemin
broadened the base of the Communist Party by enabling wealthy
people to become part of the Communist Party under his theory
of "The Three Represents". In recent times Hu Jintao and
his colleagues were able to achieve a smooth transition of
leadership. During the past decades China has been able to
make much progress.
But there have also been shortcomings and failures in
various fields, including in the economy. One of the main
causes of the shortcomings and failures seems to be the
inability to deal with and act according to the true and real
situation. In order to know the real and true situation it is
essential that there be free information.
China is undergoing a process of deep change. In order to
effect this change smoothly and without chaos and violence I
believe it is essential that there be more openness and
greater freedom of information and proper awareness among the
general public. We should seek truth from facts--facts that
are not falsified. Without this China cannot hope to achieve
genuine stability. How can there be stability if things must
be hidden and people are not able to speak out their true
feelings?
I am hopeful that China will become more open and
eventually more democratic. I have for many years advocated
that the change and transformation of China should take place
smoothly and without major upheavals. This is in the interest
of not only the Chinese people but also the world community.
China's emergence as a regional and global power is also
accompanied by concerns, suspicion and fears about her power.
Hosting the Olympic Games and World Exposition will not help
to dispel these concerns. Unless Beijing addresses the lack
of basic civil and political rights and freedoms of its
citizens, especially with regard to minorities, China will
continue to face difficulties in reassuring the world that
she is a peaceful, responsible, constructive and forward-
looking power.
The Tibetan issue represents both a challenge and an
opportunity for a maturing China to act as en emerging global
player with vision and values of openness, freedom, justice
and truth. A constructive and flexible approach to the issue
of Tibet will go a long way in creating a political climate
of trust, confidence and openness, both domestically and
internationally. A peaceful resolution of the Tibetan issue
will have wide-ranging positive impacts on China's transition
and transformation into a modern, open and free society.
There is now a window of opportunity for the Chinese
leadership to act with courage and farsightedness in
resolving the Tibetan issue once and for all.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my
appreciation and gratitude for this consistent support that
we have been receiving throughout the world. I would also
like to express once again on behalf of the Tibetans our
appreciation and immense gratitude to the people and the
Government of India for their unwavering and unmatched
generosity and support.
With my prayers for the well-being of all sentient beings.
____________________
