Panchen Lama’s first Taste of Freedom
April-1986
There can be no doubt that much planning and deliberation has gone in Peking for the forthcoming visit of the Panchen Lama to Australia. As such there is little point in speculating on the outcome of his first ever visit outside China and Tibet. The Panchen Lama is travelling as a member of a Chinese delegation and any statements he issues will have been prepared in Peking and approved of by the Chinese government. Moreover, if the Chinese were not confident about the outcome of this move, we can be sure that they would not have ventured to undertake it.
Despite this bleak prospect, Tibetan and their friends throughout the world will be following this visit with a certain amount of excitement and anticipation. While Westerners generally see the Panchen Lama as pro-Chinese, Tibetans in and out of Tibet have little doubt that he is a true nationalist. The tremendous reception he was accorded during the two briefs visits to Tibet he was allowed to make is ample proof of his undiminished popularity there. On the other hand, it is true that time and again in history, the Chinese-be they imperialists, nationalists or communists—have sought to use the Panchen Lama as an instrument for meddling in Tibetan affairs. The present Panchen Lama is in fact a Chinese candidate forced on the Tibetans, and he has been totally under their control right from the 1950’s—first as a pretender to the Dalai Lama’s throne, then as a political prisoner, and now as a ‘Vice Chairman of the Chinese National Congress’. His marriage to a Chinese girl and the controversial, un-Tibetan statements issued in his name have given people cause for anguish. But the very fact that he has no freedom to act of his own accord helps to offset this dilemma.
The present visit to Australia at last could offer him a chance to express his views freely and, if necessary, seek political asylum in a country of his choosing. There are of course difficulties in making such a decision. First of all, we can’t really say whether—in his position as a virtually life-long prisoner of one description or other—he is aware that such things do happen in the free world. Then there will be great personal risk to him during and after making such move. And most importantly, given the trend of international politics, it is doubtful if any country—at least any country of any consequences—is prepared to offend the Chinese by granting him asylum. On the other hand, such a statement of faith could have a decisive influence on the future course of the Tibetan struggle. It will also decide his place in history.
April-1986
There can be no doubt that much planning and deliberation has gone in Peking for the forthcoming visit of the Panchen Lama to Australia. As such there is little point in speculating on the outcome of his first ever visit outside China and Tibet. The Panchen Lama is travelling as a member of a Chinese delegation and any statements he issues will have been prepared in Peking and approved of by the Chinese government. Moreover, if the Chinese were not confident about the outcome of this move, we can be sure that they would not have ventured to undertake it.
Despite this bleak prospect, Tibetan and their friends throughout the world will be following this visit with a certain amount of excitement and anticipation. While Westerners generally see the Panchen Lama as pro-Chinese, Tibetans in and out of Tibet have little doubt that he is a true nationalist. The tremendous reception he was accorded during the two briefs visits to Tibet he was allowed to make is ample proof of his undiminished popularity there. On the other hand, it is true that time and again in history, the Chinese-be they imperialists, nationalists or communists—have sought to use the Panchen Lama as an instrument for meddling in Tibetan affairs. The present Panchen Lama is in fact a Chinese candidate forced on the Tibetans, and he has been totally under their control right from the 1950’s—first as a pretender to the Dalai Lama’s throne, then as a political prisoner, and now as a ‘Vice Chairman of the Chinese National Congress’. His marriage to a Chinese girl and the controversial, un-Tibetan statements issued in his name have given people cause for anguish. But the very fact that he has no freedom to act of his own accord helps to offset this dilemma.
The present visit to Australia at last could offer him a chance to express his views freely and, if necessary, seek political asylum in a country of his choosing. There are of course difficulties in making such a decision. First of all, we can’t really say whether—in his position as a virtually life-long prisoner of one description or other—he is aware that such things do happen in the free world. Then there will be great personal risk to him during and after making such move. And most importantly, given the trend of international politics, it is doubtful if any country—at least any country of any consequences—is prepared to offend the Chinese by granting him asylum. On the other hand, such a statement of faith could have a decisive influence on the future course of the Tibetan struggle. It will also decide his place in history.
posted by editorla at
8:57 PM
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