L125350
17 views · Published 4 October 2018 · 19:03 · Indexed 9 October 2026
Channel: AP Archive · 2018 · News & Politics
(7 Oct 1987) QUOTE REF INDIA: 600 Tibetans living in Dharamshalla have staged a
SYND 24-hour hunger strike in protest at continuing Chinese rule.
11.11.87 Tibet's exiled leader, the Dalai Lama, held a press
LN125350/ conference on the recent disturbances. He stated that he
LN125351 regarded himself as a simple monk - one of the 6 million
Tibetans, rather than their leader - though he was
nevertheless a spiritual leader, and as such a symbol of
Tibet. When asked if Tibet should be independent from China,
he answered that Tibet, Mongolia, and China itself were
traditionally separate countries, and therefore had the right
to ask for independence, but that they must decide whether
independence was wise, and preferable to unity. "I do not want
to discourage the Tibetan people's determination, and meantime
I do not want to stop my direct contact with the Chinese
government", he said, adding that he did not want to become a
focus of discontent, but would try to keep an open mind on what
he wanted for Tibet, and await a concrete response from China.
CASSETTE 5
Int: VS Dalai Lama in press conference;
(19.46mins)
Date Shot: 7.10.87
KCS x 5 625 (Engl PKF/Tibetan sp) WTN(Mathra) 99.39mins
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