Dalai Lama Moderates China Stand : Would Let Beijing Run Tibet Foreign Policy, Station Troops

The Dalai Lama, exiled leader of the Tibetan people, today recognized China’s right to handle Tibet’s foreign affairs and maintain troops on Tibetan soil.

The Dalai Lama proposed talks with China to make Tibet “a self-governing, democratic political entity . . . in association with the People’s Republic of China (which) could remain responsible for Tibet’s foreign policy.”

“Until such a peace conference can be convened and demilitarization and neutralization achieved, China could have the right to maintain a restricted number of military installations in Tibet,” he said.

His remarks were in a speech prepared for delivery to the European Parliament. The speech subsequently was canceled because of fears his appearance would offend the Chinese government, and the Buddhist spiritual leader spoke with reporters after copies of his speech were distributed.

An Accommodation to China

The Dalai Lama previously has made little mention of Chinese interests in Tibet. He also neither accepted the Chinese military presence in the remote territory nor recognized China’s right to handle its foreign affairs.

In today’s speech, he spoke both of “accommodating China’s own interests” in Tibet while re-establishing “Tibet’s separate identity.”

He also said the “government of the People’s Republic of China could remain responsible for Tibet’s foreign policy” and that “China could have the right to maintain a restricted number of military installations in Tibet.”

But he said the ultimate goal is a demilitarized Tibet, “a genuine sanctuary of peace.”

China regards Tibet as a critical buffer zone between itself and India, a traditional rival. Western estimates put the number of Chinese soldiers in Tibet at tens of thousands.

Aware of Disappointment

The Dalai Lama said he was “well aware that many Tibetans will be disappointed by the moderate stand” these new ideas represent.

But he argued that such conciliation represents the “most realistic means” for restoring “the fundamental rights of the Tibetan people.”

China claims Tibet has been part of its empire for more than six centuries. Tibetan activists say Tibet is an independent country and point to its separate language, culture and traditions as proof.

Communist troops entered Tibet after defeating Nationalist Chinese forces in 1949.

Ten years later, Tibetan activists rebelled against Chinese rule. The Chinese army crushed the uprising and the Dalai Lama fled to India with thousands of other Tibetans.