Fantasy Statement by Chinese Government on Tibet

"While the Chinese government is aware that Western nations are concerned about their ability to maintain their economic dominance of the world and feel threatened and resentful of China's economic success, it is nevertheless taken aback by the hypocrisy, hostility and malice that has emanated from the forces of disorder in their societies, and their opportunistic denunciations of the Chinese government by their political leaders.

The Chinese government will continue to receive critical comments from certain Western nations about its human rights record with forbearance, while remaining silent about the human rights of those in Iraq, to go about their day-to-day affairs without fear of death, which have been virtually extinguished through a regrettable and now generally regretted invasion. China, despite its so-called "humans rights abuses", has invaded no foreign country and imposed no "regime change" on the leaders of sovereign nations it disapproves of.

It seems that many of those who are violently demonstrating are not Tibetans but troublemakers not in paid employment relying on state benefits to fund their attendance at weekday demonstrations against the progress of the Olympic torch.

Many are in complete ignorance of the issues involved and see it as an opportunity to disrupt a soft target for their own amusement, with little likelihood of condign punishment by the police, who will only detain them briefly before sending them on their way.

The Chinese government concedes that how other nations wish to govern their increasingly disorderly populace is a matter for them, and only wishes others would allow China the same right to run its own affairs, particularly when it does not affect them and when they do not understand and cannot be bothered to digest the details of a long and complicated history of Chinese-Tibetan relations.

Perhaps if doing so were a condition of participation in these disruptive acts, these anti-China demonstrations would just melt away like snow in summer?

That the Dalai Lama is not in Tibet to represent the Tibetans is the greatest part of the problem. The Chinese government unequivocably declares its intention to guarantee the Dalai Lama's safety in Tibet and his right to select his successor in accordance with both the best interests of -

(1) the Tibetans whom he represents; and
(2) the Chinese people on whose behalf he would be guiding Tibet,

to be given equal consideration.

The Buddhist equivalent of the Vatican City is being considered to accommodate him on his return. It is envisaged that the Dalai Lama will have spiritual authority while allowing the Chinese government to deal with the day-to-day administration of Tibet.

It seems that such an accommodation would be the fairest and most workable solution.

Perhaps the reason he will not return is simply this: he will be expected to deal with resident Tibetans and their grievances on his return. Remaining in exile undoubtedly lends him the distance with which to appear wise, moderate and glamorous to his supporters while discharging him of the responsibility of dealing with the real problems of governing a mutinous people who are having difficulties coming to terms with the modern world, because of their less advanced cultural traditions and their primitive superstitions.

It is the stated intention of the Chinese government to deal honourably and more effectively with the grievances of the Tibetans, with the co-operation and assistance of the Dalai Lama, and for this reason he is asked to now return to his people and be accountable both to them and the government of China.

If anything good should come out of these disruptions, let the return of the Dalai Lama to his homeland be the surprising and glad outcome.

Let it not be said and seen that the government of a progressive and modern China cannot be constructive and conciliatory!

The world now awaits the response of the Dalai Lama."