The case of the confused ministers
It is now fairly certain that the Tibetan government-in-exile wishes to open a bureau in Peking. What is not equally clear is the intended purpose of that office. Dharamsala’s stubborn silence on this matter is highly ominous. If the office is to be of obvious benefit to the Tibetans, they would surely have trumpeted the details as loudly as possible instead of trying to play down any leakage or rumour. On the other hand, if no advantage is seen in it, there would be no negotiation of this kind in the first place. It is difficult to believe that high-ranking Tibetan officials would be gallivanting about in this fashion purely for the self-gratification of a few individuals. So, using the famous Sherlockian logic we arrive at the deduction that our honourable ministers themselves have scant ideas of what they are doing; and have chosen to hide this fact behind a veil of secrecy.
This theory also fits in nicely with the Cabinet’s method of functioning in general. It has always tried to keep away from the people—its own as well as others—anything of slightest importance that emerges in their dealings with China. People naturally get slightly apprehensive as these matters affect their future. When some people offer well-intentioned advices they are regarded with suspicion. When someone tries to throw some light on the matter on his own initiative, his moves are again blocked by the official wall. Perhaps they are concerned that their own importance may thereby be demeaned.
Even the slight hope entertained by us in recent years when some younger people began to achieve high offices has now bee dashed as this does not seem to make any difference. Many suggest the theory that only those who have no intention of changing the status quo reach that precious ladder. One cannot help but shudder at the vision of a future independent Tibet run as a continuation of the present system.
It is now fairly certain that the Tibetan government-in-exile wishes to open a bureau in Peking. What is not equally clear is the intended purpose of that office. Dharamsala’s stubborn silence on this matter is highly ominous. If the office is to be of obvious benefit to the Tibetans, they would surely have trumpeted the details as loudly as possible instead of trying to play down any leakage or rumour. On the other hand, if no advantage is seen in it, there would be no negotiation of this kind in the first place. It is difficult to believe that high-ranking Tibetan officials would be gallivanting about in this fashion purely for the self-gratification of a few individuals. So, using the famous Sherlockian logic we arrive at the deduction that our honourable ministers themselves have scant ideas of what they are doing; and have chosen to hide this fact behind a veil of secrecy.
This theory also fits in nicely with the Cabinet’s method of functioning in general. It has always tried to keep away from the people—its own as well as others—anything of slightest importance that emerges in their dealings with China. People naturally get slightly apprehensive as these matters affect their future. When some people offer well-intentioned advices they are regarded with suspicion. When someone tries to throw some light on the matter on his own initiative, his moves are again blocked by the official wall. Perhaps they are concerned that their own importance may thereby be demeaned.
Even the slight hope entertained by us in recent years when some younger people began to achieve high offices has now bee dashed as this does not seem to make any difference. Many suggest the theory that only those who have no intention of changing the status quo reach that precious ladder. One cannot help but shudder at the vision of a future independent Tibet run as a continuation of the present system.
posted by editorla at
9:12 PM
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