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The exiled Tibetan Government backs Dalai Lama's autonomist hopes
In the end, there will be no significant change in the strategy of the Tibetan leaders for the future of Tibet and its position in China or at least not at the moment. A few weeks ago, the Dalai Lama, political and spiritual leader of the Tibetans, announced that he would "give up" his permanent position on "the middle path" strategy to resolve the conflict and that as of the next meeting with the exiled Government, he would be open to more "ambitious" options, like the right to self-determination.
This meeting took place last week in which 600 Tibetan delegates from around the world met in Dharamshala, north of India, in order to come to an agreement on new strategies for the pending issues of Tibet. And more importantly, to discuss what relationship the Dalai Lama should establish with Beijing. This Sunday, the non-binding recommendations agreed during the meeting were made public: The Tibetan leaders support the middle path in order to demand more autonomy and insist on the non-violence approach, but also affirm that it is necessary to abandon all procedures of sending spokespersons to Beijing in order to continue talks. They have also clearly expressed their hope of change in China's attitude.
Like the conceding sectors who have demanded complete independence, the final document has also left an open possibility to the demands of independence according to the following statement: "[the will] to pursue complete independence or self-determination if no result comes out in the near future were also strongly expressed [during the meeting]," stated by Le Monde.fr.
In the press conference after the meeting this past Sunday, the Dalai Lama warned about "the great danger" that the Tibetan community is facing and as always cried out to the international communities for help in his country. On the other hand, Beijing has once again accused him of campaigning in favour of independence.
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