Tensions Build Around Anniversary of Dalai Lama's Exile from Tibet

The tensions that began in 1949 when China entered, or some say invaded, Tibet show no signs of subsiding. To the contrary, this year's 50th anniversary of the Dalai Lama's flight from his country and exile to India has put China on alert for the possibility of more demonstrations or riots.

Beijing has taken tough security measures to avoid being caught by surprise around the March 10 anniversary of last year's uprisings when Tibetan protesters in Lhasa, mostly monks, took to the streets in four days of protests. Failing to heed their spiritual leader's message of non-violence, the protests erupted into violence. China put the death toll at 19 of its emigres, while Tibetan officials claimed nearly 200 had been killed and more than 1,200 people remain missing. What neither side disagrees on is that many of the monks involved were sent for Chinese "re-education."

March 17 will mark the 50th anniversary of Tibet's loss of its spiritual and temporal leader and raises the spectre of more protests by followers of the Dalai Lama, which the Chinese term, "splittists." The Dalai Lama, a Buddhist monk, fled to India with 80,000 of his followers on that date in 1959. Suspecting the Chinese intended to kidnap him, the 23 year-old donned a military uniform and set off toward India. Crossing the Himalayas on foot and horseback, and traveling at night, took the refugees 15 days.

Many in Tibet still regard Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, as the head of their government, while China contends it terminated his authority. A Tibetan government in exile has been established by the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, India but China continues to rule Tibetan land.

Until China relinquishes its control over Tibet the Dalai Lama, now 73, has vowed not to be reincarnated within that territory. China claims the right to install its own Dalai Lama following Gyatso's death as it did with the Panchen Lama. The Panchen Lama is the most important Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader after the Dalai Lama. Following the recognition of six year-old Gendun Choekyi Nyima as the Panchen Lama in 1995, China proposed a rival for the position and took the six year-old and his family from their home. They have not been seen since.

The Dalai Lama has promoted a "Middle Way" in talks with Beijing which does not seek Tibetan autonomy, but a cooperative rule of the territory with China. Some Tibetans, including his brother, have been displeased with their exiled leader's willingness to compromise in this way. No agreement has been reached with China from talks that began in 2002. The Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his non-violent efforts at peace.

Sources:

http://www.heritage.org/RESEARCH/ASIAANDTHEPACIFIC/wm1858.cfm

http://www.tibet.com

http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-03-10-voa3.cfm

http://www.savetibet.org

http://asiapacific.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGASA170491996?open&of=ENG-CHN

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/march/31/newsid_2788000/2788343.stm