The Dalai Lama's View
The Dalai Lama most recently said that he is pessimistic that a negotiated solution between China and Tibet can take place.The spiritual leader said his negotiation attempts have failed, adding that by accepting Chinese sovereignty, instead of pushing for independence, he recognizes that he has frustrated many Tibetans.
That is why he is calling a special six-day meeting of Tibetan exiles and groups to discuss the future of their struggle and find new proposals. Those talks begin on November 17, 2008. Such a meeting would be the first of it's kind in more than a decade.
The Dalai Lama added that he planned to remain silent on the issue so that exile leaders don't follow his lead "out of devotion."
In a statement on his website, the Dala Lama said that Beijing has accused him of trying to split Tibet and China but that he only seeks "real and meaningful" autonomy for Tibetan people within China and opposes the use of violence.
The statement also noted that it was China that sent military troops to occupy the the Himalayan country in 1949, and regularly protests against countries that agree to visits by him.
The Chinese Government's View
To the Chinese leadership, Tibet is an inalienable part of China's territory and Tibetan affairs are part of the internal affairs of China.Chinese officials are quick to describe how much the Tibetan economy has improved with recent economic policy. They cite annual growth rates of 12 percent or more in the past seven years. They also proudly tout the 700 million yuan ($1 million) spent since 1980 to maintain 1,400 monasteries and cultural relics.
In an official commentary on the Dalai Lama's remarks about losing faith in negotiations, the government said that in a meeting with his Dalai Lama's representatives in July, China gave the leader four conditions to further talks:
1. That the Dalai Lama would not to support activities that disturb the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
2. That he not support plots that fan violent criminal activity.
3. Not to support and pledge to contain violent activities by the Tibetan Youth Congress.
4. Not to support any activity seeking "Tibetan independence."
The commentary said: "The requirements of the Chinese central government have been concrete, simple, reasonable and explicit, which would have facilitated the contacts and negotiations to generate effective results if the Dalai Lama side had seriously carried out the promises."
The statement also urged the Dalai Lama to change his rhetoric in order to continue with favorable negotiations between the central government and Tibetan representatives.
Where It Stands
While Chinese and Tibetan representatives continue to meet, it seems unlikely a solution is imminent.The March 2008 rioting in Lhasa and the continued stalling of movement in negotiations is just the latest chapter of this conflict where mutual distrust on both sides continues to hinder a solution.
This distrust has led to a history of missed opportunities. In 1988, the Dalai Lama, announced that the exile government was no longer calling for independence and instead wanted autonomy. Beijing hardliners rejected this and it was a missed opportunity for real negotiations.
Similarly, the Tibetans missed an opportunity in 1989 when Beijing invited the Dalai Lama to China to honor of the Panchen Lama who had died and he did not go.
The future of the debate seems to be more rhetoric as Tibetan leaders gear up for a more hardline stance that will only be matched by their counterparts in Beijing.