Delegates have mixed feelings of 'hopes and frustrations'

Dharamshala, Nov 18 (UNI) The delegates of special meeting of Tibetan leaders, currently deliberating on the future course of action on Tibet, have mixed feeling of "hopes and frustrations".

Prime Minister of Tibetan Government in-Exile, Prof Samdhong Rinpoche said the delegates had "mixed feeling of hopes and frustrations" in finding a best way forward to resolve the issue of Tibet and over the lack of positive response from Chinese leadership and increased repressive policies being carried out in Tibet.

He was talking to a group of reporters and documentary filmmakers at his office this afternoon who had gathered here to cover the historic special meeting on Tibet.

He made it emphatically clear that the Central Tibetan Administration was sincerely committed to a genuine democratic system in reflecting the Tibetan people's opinion on the future of Tibet.

Speaking on the six- day special meeting, which entered the second day today, Prof Rinpoche said the atmosphere was powerful and emotionally charged as delegates were having open discussions on a wide range of matters, particularly concentrating their focus on fundamental issues of Tibet.

"We are sincerely committed to a genuine democratic system to reflect public opinion", he said.

He said the recommendations made during the special meeting would be submitted to the Tibetan parliament, which has the supreme authority to make a final decision.

Some 581 representatives from the official and non-governmental organizations from the Tibetan community around the world have gathered for a landmark meeting to deliberate on determining future course of action on Tibet.

Responding to a question on the present situation in Tibet, the Prime Minister of Tibetan Government-in-exile expressed concern that people were living under constant fear as heavy repressive measures continue to prevail in Tibet.

He referred to reports by Australian journalist who visited Tibet that the Chinese government had imposed a heavy armed security around Tibet's capital Lhasa.

He said he was awaiting reports from the Norwegian Parliamentary delegations over their visit to different parts of Tibet from November 9 to 17.

Answering a question on opinions collected from the Tibetan people in Tibet, Prof Rinpoche said 99 per cent of Tibetan people in Tibet, including communist party cadres and government officials, had unshakable faith in the Dalai Lama.

On the future contacts with the Chinese government, He said, "We are always open to continue the dialogue process with the Chinese leadership and bear no intentions to block it." He said that the ball was now in China's court to reciprocate to the memorandum on the 'genuine autonomy for Tibet' that was submitted to them by the two envoys of Dalai Lama during the eight round of the talks held recently.

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