Tibetan PM calls for non violent response to China’s provocation

See also http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12575470

Asia News[Thursday, March 03, 2011 18:00]

Samdhong Rinpoche, prime minister of Tibetan government in exile, calls on Tibetans not to fall into the trap of the recent Chinese slander against the Dalai Lama, but to continue to assert their identity in a non-violent way. The Jasmine revolt: China is ready to crush any protests with violence. Dharamsala - "There is nothing new, the position of China against the Dalai Lama is always the same." Professor Samdhong Rinpoche, Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister) of the Tibetan government in exile, said in exclusive interview with AsiaNews commenting on statements by Jia Qinglin, a prominent member of the Chinese Communist Politburo, who on February 25 urged China to "renewed efforts against ' influence of the Dalai Lama in Tibet. In this file photo, Tibetan PM Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche addresses during a public function in Dharamsala, India. Rinpoche, who became the first directly elected Tibetan prime minister in 2001 and again re-elected for the second consecutive time in 2006, will complete his office term later this year. (Photo: Phayul.com/file) Jia believes the Dalai Lama is directly responsible and fomenter of protests in Tibet against Chinese rule. He also stated that "the Dalai Lama’s clique has to be stopped before it can do more damage." "It is necessary to improve the lives of Tibetans and make it a safer region" (Read: For the good of Tibet, the Dalai Lama must be crushed). For Rinpoche, "it is just a repetition of the statements of Chinese leaders against the Dalai Lama, Tibet's spiritual leader in exile since 1959, Nobel Peace Prize winner, but still considered by Beijing a dangerous terrorist instigator of unrest. "This statement - continued Rinpoche - reflects the insecurity of the Chinese leadership towards the growing status of the Dalai Lama in global society and among Tibetans. His spiritual leadership is increasingly strong in the heart of every Tibetan, despite Beijing’s decades long campaign to denigrate and diminish his influence. " "Chinese leaders are afraid of the peace movements of the Dalai Lama around the world. Moreover, the protests in Arab countries are causing anxiety among the leaders of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), so such comments are ridiculous, devoid of value and importance. " "I'm sure this statement aimed to provoke [Tibetans], because there were no other reasons for a similar comment. In the end it might have been intended to provoke and in a sense distract attention from the growing protests against the repressive regime in China”. "However, the younger Tibetan generations are mature and wise, I do not think they will react to provocation. The younger generation living in Tibet is the most convinced of the non-violent approach and compromise of the Dalai Lama, compared to other Tibetans. I have full confidence in the young generation. They are mature and committed and will not do anything to harm the cause. " On the Internet there are anonymous calls to take to the streets March 6 to protest against the government, as in the Jasmine Revolution. "The street protests, - says Rinpoche - are part of the history of the CCP. As in 1989 for the Tiananmen Square protests: Tens of thousands of ordinary citizens, including entire families, occupied public buildings and empty land and created an impromptu sit-in at the foot of power and in the shadow of important monuments " . "In 2008 there were protests in all Tibetan areas. In 2009, Xinjiang's Uighurs protested. " "In every part of China, there are small protests, but it will take time for large demonstrations, because the forces of repression would undermine any strong protest and not allow people to meet. The CCP does not respect human life and will not hesitate to use force, power and brutality to prevent protests and to crush any demonstration and uprising”.