WHO AFTER ME? DALAI SAYS TIBETANS TO DECIDE
By Chandra Bhushan Pandey
Times of India
August 15, 2006

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DHARAMSALA - The Dalai Lama feels he has made sincere and consistent efforts with an open mind to achieve autonomy for Tibet. This, he believes, is the only way to happiness for both Tibetan and Chinese people.

Talking to media persons here recently, he said Tibetans are neither anti-revolution nor anti-reforms. "We are not against the Chinese," he said, adding he is not upset by Chinese barbs against him. Asked what would be his reaction if China grants autonomy to Tibet without him, the Dalai Lama said he would welcome it.

He said second-generation Tibetans living in India will decide the issue of "who after me". He hoped the Tibet issue would get resolved during his lifetime. "I believe in the Gandhian thought of 'ahimsa' or non-violence.

We've to show patience and determination. I'll quit the Tibetan freedom movement, the moment it takes a violent turn." He said he is already a "semi-retired" person as he has handed over most of his political powers to Tibetan government-in-exile.

The Nobel peace laureate said he subscribes to the Marxist ideology of equal distribution. "You can call me half-Marxist," he said. Admitting he has friends in Left parties even in China, he said he has not sought their help to solve the Tibetan issue.

The Dalai Lama rued that more and more Chinese people were being shifted to Tibet to reduce the Tibetan population to a minority. He said China has also diverted the flow of major rivers in Tibet towards China, with the aim to destroy the natural resources of Tibet.

Asked why despite possessing spiritual powers, he could not change the mind of Beijing, he said things will go their own way. "Time is stronger than anything."

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