The Peoples' Coalition For Justice And Humanity News Service
VOL 2
EDITION I
World
News
March 18, 2008
Dalai Lama To Quit If Violence Continues
by Carol Williams PCJH
From Dharmsala, India~
His Holiness,
The Dalai Lama told reporters in India that he will resign as Tibet's
most revered spiritual leader if the violence against his people
continues to escalate. The
Dalai Lama fled Tibet following the 1959 after an uprising against the
Chinese government failed. He has called the actions of the
Chinese government in relation to their treatment of the people of
Tibet genocidal. He set up his government-in-exile in Dharmsala.
Standing before reporters yesterday our representatives in that part of
the world said that the exiled leader was adamant about his decision.
"If things
become out of control my only option is to completely resign."
The Dalai Lama said.
The startling and courageous move on the part of Tibet's most
holy spritual leader is a last stitch attempt to quell the violence
against the people of Tibet and their supporters in China. The
most recent problems arose in Lhasa, Tibet's capital on Monday where a
peaceful protest turned violent. China's response was quick and
harsh. Threats of incarceration and more were hurled at
protectors that refused to give themselves up to the police (click here for more information).
Premier Wen Jiabao has denounced the Dalai Lama and his supporters
as separatists. He accuses them of planning and instigating the
violence on March 10th the anniversary of the Chinese takeover of
Tibet. The Chinese government is in the process of putting down
the protests by any means necessary.
Reports of ethnic Han Chinese people being attacked by Tibetans
grows. As it mounts The Dalai Lama is urging the his countrymen
and supports to restrain themselves in the name of peace. He
warned that if the violence continues that he will step
down. The Dalai Lama urges all Tibetan exiles beginning a
six-month march from India to Lhasa to stop
their march at the border.
"Will you get independence? What's the use?" He told reporters.
His Holiness The Dalai Lama meets with the press
Dharamsala,
HP, India, 16 March 2008
"If the Tibetans were to choose the path of violence he would have
to resign because he is completely committed to nonviolence. He
would resign as the political leader and head of
state, but not as the Dalai Lama. He will always be the Dalai
Lama." Tenzin
Taklha one of the Dalai Lama's top aides said.
Since troops marched in to Tibet as a result of the recent violence
the state of that country remains shrouded in mystery as the Chinese
government is discouraging media representatives from reporting on the
incident. One television station was shut down and its members
arrested. There have been reports of the troops exacting their
version of justice on innocent Tibetan citizens in Lhasa.
In the interim thousands of Tibetans based in India took to the streets
of Seda a bordering country if Tibet, in protest to the rise in
violence against the people of Tibet.
The PCJH tried to contact governmental officials but they are not
responding.
