Dharamshala - The exile Tibetan government today said that it was deeply saddened by unconfirmed reports of unrest in Drepung monastery following a patriotic reeducation session.
The exile Tibetan government which is concerting its efforts to resolve the Tibet issue through 'the Middle Way Approach' seemed torn between the sentiments of its people and its nascent relationship with China.

In a press release read by Kalon Lobsang Nyandak, minister for information and international relations, here at the Lhakpa Tsering memorial hall, the Kashag reacted softly to the reported incidents of Drepung monastery saying that it is a matter of disappointment if the incidents reported were true.

"....We hope that it is not true, if it is true it is a matter of disappointment.....", Kalon Nyandak told reporters here. Meanwhile, the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy came out yesterday with the names and native villages of the five monks arrested.

The exile government urged the people in Tibet to be tolerant as far as possible to avoid beatings, torture and imprisonment, and try to maintain peace and stability as asked by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

The Kashag said that it is very important for the people in Tibet to maintain peace and stability in Tibet at a time when the efforts are being made for talks between the envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the leaders of People's Republic of China.

The Kashag also urged the government of the Tibetan Autonomous Region and the PRC leadership to try to solve turmoil in Tibet through dialogue and not resort to violence.

"At a time when the People's Republic of China publicizes to the international community that Tibet enjoys regional ethnic autonomy, religious freedom, cultural protection and economic development, it is sad if China needs to fulfill everything with force, " Kalon Nyandak stated.

Readers’ comments

Dec 03 2005

Well, I know Samthong, the monk is dam and stupid. I am sorry for calling him names but he deserves it,and Kashag which is his stooge and hand picked by our stupid Samthong. What are you doing. This is time to rise and stand up. We must take the advantage and capitalize on this stuation. Yet, Kashag is telling Tibetan do not do anything. They must be paid and bought by Beijing. I can not believe what Dharamsala is doing. I just can not understand. They truly live in another world....... Oh, God. Help us, We poor Tibetans slap right by the Chinese and slap left by the Kashag. Before we lost Tibet Kashag is an office that is feard, respected, commanding force to the Chinese and Tibetan believe and do things for Tibet. Now Kashag is not only sad case but heartacheing office.

Do not vote for monk, especially for Samthong for the next election. Please. I can not stand this monk.

Borang zen

Tibetan live inside Tibet

Location: Tibet Lhasa

Dec 03 2005

What is the Kashag upto? are they freaking out of their minds? Samdhong should resign and then we should sent all the other Kalon to exile in Sri Lanka with Ravan. How in the world did they get Nominated as Kalon? what are their qualifications? Have the seen the real world? Do they know what true Democracy? I am freaking ashamed.

Tsedolma

Location: Dhasa

Dec 03 2005

Unconfirmed reports? When every credible foreign media sources are reporting on this and Kashag comes out saying "We hope it's not true". What the hell are they smoking? Maybe they only have access to the chinese communist website.

"The exile government urged the people in Tibet to be tolerant as far as possible to avoid beatings, torture and imprisonment, and try to maintain peace and stability as asked by His Holiness the Dalai Lama".

Why don't Kashag put their ass on the line and feel the heat in Tibet? Rather than keep the flame alive in our people, they are stooping this low to appease the damn chinese. And never ever use the name of His Holiness for your own convenience. Your comrades in Beijing claim to have granted autonomy to Tibet since 1965. What the hell are you asking for? Why don't you all go back to Tibet and enjoy the autonomy given by your comrades in Beijing.

Kashag sounds and acts more like communist chinese these days and we will fight against anyone suppressing Tibetans mentally and physically. Kashag is only giving false hope to our people and lulling them to sleep. This is pathetic.

"The Kashag said that it is very important for the people in Tibet to maintain peace and stability in Tibet at a time when the efforts are being made for talks between the envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the leaders of People's Republic of China".

The envoys have clearly stated after four rounds that there are fundamental differences including the definition of Tibet and lack of trust from the chinese. Even last month when His Holiness visited the US, the chinese repeated the same rhetoric of calling Him names. Communist chinese regime will never be sincere, so don't be naive and expect anything from them. Get out of your cozy office in Dhasa and urge people to fight for Tibet's Independence rather than asking people to maintain peace and stability. There will never be peace and stability in Tibet as long as the communist chinese are running the show in Tibet. Tibet belongs to Tibetans and we will fight to regain our FATHERLAND.

With this press release, Is Kashag asking Tibetans to denounce His Holiness and accept Tibet is part of china. I certainly hope not and even if Kashag does, we will NEVER denounce His Holiness and accept Tibet is part of china.

WE CAN and WE WILL FREE TIBET.

Kunphen

Location: Chamdo

Dec 03 2005

How long will TGIE keep on appeasing PRC?? supposedly to earn trust from their gov? By believing in this Chinese ploy, the country of Tibet would soon be in existence only in history books and museum. It's time kashag make a decision between kissing chinese ass, which is getting us nowwhere and hurting the sentiments of many true freedom fighters and tibetans in general.

We all know those were not unconfirmed reports, cases of Chinese brutality and oppression happens all over tibet on regular bases and ofcourse some are going to defend thier beliefs, even if it means death for resisting. Freedom is in our blood, our most basic human right, TGIE should not be discouraging Tibetans in Tibet from pursuing those rights. Just think what will be the consequence if all the Tibetans inside and outside Tibet kowtowed to policies of PRC and do nothing while our ppl are killed, totured, gets treated like 3rd class citizen, our monastries destroyed, belief spat on. The outcome will be complete reeducation of Tibet into China and the annihilation of our culture, religion, history and everthing tibetan. They will take advantage of Tibetans' tolerance, patience, and nonviolence. Let disobedience, unrent and chaos be unleashed, that is the only language China knows.

tt

Location: exile

Dec 03 2005

Dear TGIE,

I'm a Tibetan citizen, a Tibetan exile.
I've watched with pain, sadness and anger as you stooped lower and yet lower in a futile effort to appease the Chinese government over the years. Each step you take in further compromising our stand, even as it is ever more obvious that China will simply demand more compromise in response, is a doomed step into the ruthless jaws of Chinese imperialism.
And now...once again you have outdone yourself in your steep descent into the cesspool of hypocrisy. Yesterday you told us exiles not to protest China's leaders! Today you tell our brethren inside Tibet not to disturb peace and stability! Each time you throw an obsequous olive branch to Beijing, I tell myself that you have hit rock bottom and now there is no more to compromise on Tibet, but you have consistently proven me wrong - the well of delusions is surprisingly deep.
I am asking you to stop and think for a moment. Not because you're being criticized by virtually all Tibetan exiles, even those who support the Middle Path Policy, for your cheap tricks that don't fool anyone. But because Tibetans inside Tibet deserve better - they deserve our support and respect and sacrifice. When they make a decision to put their life on the line and take a stand for freedom, the least we could do is support them for showing a courage that we can only dream of possessing.
I know that you find yourself often confused because you're trying to "strategize." Well, I will give you a talisman: Whenever you're confused, please ask yourself if the decision you're about to make will benefit the Tibetan people or the Chinese government. If your decisions and statements are helping the Chinese government and not the Tibetans, then ask yourself whose government you are, whose side you are on, and you will find your doubts melting away.
Right now, you are coming dangerously close....

Sincerely,

a concerned citizen

Dec 03 2005

kalon tripa samdong rinpoche is always saying we should not protest to chinese leader as it will harm to dialogue between tibetan and chinese. if peaceful demonstration and free expression has no space in dramocratic countries,than how can he lead the exile tibetan government,democratic system. he should resign immediately.

lhaksam

Location: Madras

Dec 03 2005

These statement of khashag has really saddened me and not just only me I think almost all tibetans, especially those who are in Tibet.

How can you maintain peace and stability in the land where there is aggression and suppression. Khashag really seems forgotton Tibet. If we can maintain peace and stability in Tibet at china's presence, we really don't have points to exile ourself.

Please, don't try to neglect the welfares of natives people by supporting every brutal intrusion of communist china.

If khashag is making these statement to please chinese government, In order to carry out further what we called "PEACE DIALOGUE" Then, it is really a time for Tibetan people to choose under with whom it is better to go and survive. Tibetans are not such fool and not such timid as what present khashag think so.

Please my brothers in Tibet carry on and don't forget that freedom is really your birthright, you must strive it. We are not beggar's

Tenzinkk

Location: New delhi

Dec 03 2005
You can keep your chinese version of democracy or communism or whatever you call it for yourselves.

We TIbetans don't want anything to do with China. We just don't want to see them in our country and thats all.

If you are prospering and doing well good for you, just get the hell out of our country thats all we ask of you. We neither want your rule nor your help.

As for TGIE, I must tell these idiots that the onus is not on us TIbetanas to maintain peace, the onus is on the bloody chinese. They come to our monasteries and oppress us. Our monasteries and monks did not go thier police or military station.

Bhod Rangzen

Location: Delhi

Dec 03 2005

I am lost whether I should believe in Kashag at all. Is Tibetan leadership genuinely care for the welfare of Tibetan? Of lately, Kashag has been acting more like one of the Chinese Government organs than Government in Exile, whose very purpose of establishment was to struggle for freedom.

I may sound politically or intellectually very immature to say that Tibetan leadership has given up independent without pressure from outside. No one, including Chinese, has said that if Tibetan reduces their demands, then they may consider supporting Tibetan cause, nor there was sign that China may consider Tibetan requests.

Whether Tibetan leadership called it Middle or Right or Left path, the Tibetan leadership goal is to revive 17th points agreement (signed by Chinese and Tibetan Governments), which was refuted by the Dalai Lama soon after reaching Indian soil, as Tibetan leaders considered it was signed under duress and thus have no international legality.

From various press briefing by Tibetan leaders, it sounds that Tibetan struggle for freedom has become more of religious (Buddhist) freedom, rather than political freedom. Is our struggle is for religion? Without political freedom, can there be religious freedom?

Sometime it sound strange to hear that our leaders are acting as if they have responsible of looking after world peace, than Tibetan affairs. Why Tibetan independent need to sacrify for world peace. No wonder, others before self, kind of Buddhist principle applies for our independent, as benefit of few millions (Tibetan) is nothing compare to billions of Chinese.

Tibetan leaderships supported by few believes that under the prevailing geo-political conditions, it is the best move to ask Chinese for local autonomy. Is there any guarantee, or likelihood that Chinese will offer autonomy to Tibet? One thing is sure as a result of Tibetan leadership move, chapter of Tibetan independent has closed forever.

With the current approach of middle path, even our leaders have been twisting Tibetan history. Of lately, our leaders have been using words like: Tibetan local government, Tibet is a part of China, Tibet is part of 5,000 years of Chinese history. Well, may be our leaders are trying to create “conducive atmosphere” to have dialogue from China. Until few years, we have been told that relationship between Tibet and China were nothing but “priest and patron”

Sonam

Location: Bern

Dec 02 2005

the present kashag sucks. drepung monks are heroes we respect, admire and thankful for their courageous efforts. i support for their valor to stand up for their morale dignity in practice as true sons of the buddha dharma in time of danger.

a monk

Location: who cares

Dec 02 2005

Did the Kashag think about the devastating effect of this on our people in Tibet, and his spirit?

It seems they are senseless and don't care of the moral of our poor brothers ans sisters subject to oppression from the mads dogs chineses.

Our brothers in drepung have PEACEFULLY showed their desaprobation of the indoctrination their are subject to, and in defence of His Holiness name, they have refused that dishonnor.

And the response of the very Government of His Holiness treate them as troublemakers ?!?!?!?

Samdhong Rinpoche, you cannot postpone the election indefinitly, you will ahve to leave the post for a true KING, what Tibet needs urgently.
Because it is what is goingf to happen, enough is enough.
It seems you don't discern the diffrerence berween COMPROMISE and COMPROMISSION.

TIBET WILL BE FREED BY TIBETAN PEOPLE.
It seems not by coward pale imitation of a government like this Kashag

(I have never thought I would have one day to say like like of TGIE. How sad it is)

IT IS BETTER TO DIE STANDING IN HONNOR THAT TO SURVIVE IN COMPROMISSION AND DISHONNOR

Tenam

Location: Paris