Walking in Taiwan
(<- Previous Report) February 27, 1998 Back to Start
One Country, Two Systems?
An early morning flight south brought the delegates to Kausiong city. Here the delegates participated in two press conferences and Norbu was interviewed on a television news program.
During the afternoon press conference Norbu responded to the question of why is Tibet seeking independence by stating, "There are many reasons! But mostly because we were always independent, so that is why Tibetans must be independent. This is the end of the 20th century. We are going into the 21st century. I think in this century every human being and every group has a right to do what ever they want. I think this is very important and we should ask for our rights. We are not asking for more. We are not asking for less. We are just asking for our rights, and we want our identity. There is no reason for Chinese government to be in Tibet. They have no buisness there. GET OUT!"
When asked for some adivise to the Taiwanese people in regards to the 'one country, two systems' approach that China has offered Taiwan, Erkin Alptekin of Eastern Turkistan responded with, "How come the Taiwanese people, who struggled for the last 50 years for the rule of law, democracy and this pluralistic system, want to give it up by reuniting with China, or accepting 'one country, two systems.' That I cannot understand. As 8 million Uighurs in Eastern Turkistan are fighting for these rights with their nails‹they have no weapons‹to get these rights. For us it is totally not understandable for people in Taiwan to be talking, thinking and discussing reunification or 'country-two systems.' If the Taiwanese people one day accept the 'one country, two systems' or reunification then you will be inheriting the colonies occupied by communist China and all the atrocities that are going on there now.
During a television interview Norbu gave some advise to the people of Taiwan. "Taiwan is so great economically and culturally," he said. "Everything is going your way, but if you're not carefull all your privaleges will be gone. Think about the 17 Point Agreement China made with Tibetans. As soon as China got all the power the agreement was gone. I hope this sort of thing doesn't happen to Taiwan. If you all fall, definately China will destroy all that you have. China has said to Taiwan that 'one country, two systems' will be a peaceful coexistance. Peaceful coexistance is something wonderful that His Holiness the Dalai Lama teaches. No suffering. Everyone happy. No violence. This is a very important Buddhist teaching. I think 'one country, two systems' is a very difficult thing to do. The Chinese communist government has no compassion and no love. So many people they have killed. Taiwan should be very careful of this. The Chinese have introduce such severe policy in Tibet that everyone is hurt inside. Every Tibetan has a story of disaster against themselves or family or friends. Everyone has tears. So much damage people have lost their heart."
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