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Will Clinton take up the Tibet cause with China?

The exiled Tibetan leadership, now based in India, has expressed the hope that United States President Bill Clinton would raise the Tibet issue ''forcefully and honestly'' during his visit to China.

Professor S Rinpoche, chairman of Tibet's parliament in exile, said the US administration had assured the leadership that Tibet would be one of the core issues in Clinton's talks with the Chinese, though they were "not sure whether it will bring the desired result.''

He said the Chinese leadership was giving contradictory signals regarding the resolution of the Tibetan problem, and putting absurd pre-conditions for a direct dialogue with the Dalai Lama.

Professor Rinpoche said though the US establishment made several positive gestures towards China, it had not responded. "It appears that the Chinese leadership has not softened its rigid attitude on the issues of Tibet, human rights and political freedom," he said.

He said Clinton was giving concessions to China to the maximum possible extent without any reciprocation.

The Tibetan issue has caused global concern and more and more people from every section of society are extending support to it. ''It will be difficult for any world statesman to ignore the vast public opinion rallied in support of Tibet and the Dalai Lama,'' he added.

The Tibetan leader was disappointed over Clinton's recent announcement that the most favoured nation status to China could be made permanent. He said the US public and the Congress would not permit Clinton to do so unless the Chinese leadership granted genuine autonomy to Tibet and improved its human rights record.

Commenting on the possible strategic alliance between the US and China to corner 'nuclear India', he said a democratic US and a totalitarian China can never be reliable or permanent friends -- their ideological and civilisational differences outweigh the current geo-political concerns.

Professor Rinpoche said any attempt by the US government to isolate India would be disastrous for longterm US interests. If the US forms an alliance with China simply to undermine India, the world's largest democracy, it would be a fatal blow to America's commitment to human rights and democracy, he said.

The leader questioned the logic of the US policy of involving China in South Asian problems saying, ''China, which attacked India, defying the panchsheel, cannot play any constructive role in South Asia''.

He said there was no comparison between the issues of Tibet and Kashmir -- Tibet suffered invasion and occupation by a totalitarian China while Kashmir was an integral part of democratic India.

Expressing disappointment at the Indian government's apathy over the Dalai Lama's appeal to mediate on the Tibet issue, he said Tibetans had a special regard for Indians and, as such, India should take up the matter in the international fora.

Professor Rinpoche expressed grief over the death of a Frenchman who immolated himself near Paris in protest against China's occupation of Tibet.

''We do not approve of extreme steps like self-immolation but the incident is certainly a reminder to the US president that world public opinion wants an end to the issue, and the establishment of a self-ruled peaceful tibet,'' he remarked.

UNI

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