Tibetans optimistic about securing autonomy from China

Dharamsala, Nov 20 : Exiled Tibetan living here are appeared optimistic thatutonomy talks with China would eventually reach a logical conclusion.

Gyalo Thondup, the elder brother of the Dalai Lama said Tibetans are not seeking independence from China.

"We have to face the reality, we have to talk to the Chinese and we have to deal with Chinese and, that is my approach. Even whatever they say, I am not worried but the people of China will eventually realise what we are asking. We are not breaking away from China, we are not asking the independence. The Chinese, they are twisting because they don't want a reasonable settlement," Thondup claimed.

Thondup added that all was not lost and that there is still hope for a mutually agreeable settlement.

The Dalai Lama's envoys took part in talks in Beijing from October 31 to November 5 at which China rejected a long-standing demand for autonomy. Many of the exiles are frustrated at the lack of progress.

The Dalai Lama, who fled into exile in 1959 after a failed uprising, recently hinted that his "Middle Way" for Tibet had failed. Speculation has grown that he wants to withdraw from day-to-day political leadership.

ANI