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Kalon Tripa says committed to reflect Tibetan people’s opinion on Tibet’s future

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Speaker Karma Chophel (L) delivers the opening address to the special general meeting on Tibet which begins in Dharamsala, the seat of the Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamsala, India, on 17 November 2008.

Dharamshala: Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche on Tuesday said the Central Tibetan Administration is “sincerely committed to a genuine democratic system in reflecting the Tibetan people’s opinion on the future of Tibet”.

Kalon Tripa met with a group of reporters and documentary filmmakers at his office who have gathered in Dharamsala to cover the historic special meeting on Tibet.

Speaking on the special meeting on Tibet currently under way in Dharamsala, Kalon Tripa said the atmosphere is powerful and emotionally charged as delegates are having open discussions on a wide range of matters, particularly concentrating their focus on fundamental issues of Tibet.

Some 581 representatives from the official and non-governmental organizations from the Tibetan community around the world have gathered for a landmark meeting to deliberate on determining future course of action on Tibet. The meeting has begun on Monday, 17 November and go on till 22 November.

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Around 581 delegates representing official and non-governmental organisations as well as Tibetan people from the Tibetan community across the world gather to discuss a way forward on the future of Tibet.

Kalon Tripa said the delegates have mixed feeling of hopes and frustrations in finding a best way forward to resolve the issue of Tibet and over the lack of positive response from Chinese leadership and increased repressive policies being carried out in Tibet.

He said the recommendations made during the special meeting would be submitted to the Tibetan parliament, which has the supreme authority to make a final decision.

“We are sincerely committed to a genuine democratic system to reflect public opinion,” Kalon Tripa added.

Responding to a question on the present situation in Tibet, Kalon Tripa expressed concern that people are living under constant fear as heavy repressive measures continue to prevail in Tibet. He referred to reports by Australian journalist who visited Tibet that the Chinese government has imposed a heavy armed security around Tibet’s capital Lhasa.

He said he is awaiting reports from the Norwegian Parliamentary delegations over their visit to different parts of Tibet from 9 – 17 November.

Answering a question on opinions collected from the Tibetan people in Tibet, Kalon Tripa said 99 per cent of Tibetan people in Tibet, including communist party cadres and government officials, have unshakable faith in His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

On the future contacts with the Chinese government, Kalon Tripa said we are always open to continue the dialogue process with the Chinese leadership and bear no intentions to block it.

The ball is now in China’s court to reciprocate to the memorandum on the ‘genuine autonomy for Tibet’ that we have submitted to them, Kalon added.