Secretary, Department of Information and International Relations, The Tibetan Government In-Exile, Tempa Tsering
ITIM: Share your thoughts about why you think the hunger strike was successful in bringing together people and groups with different views.
TSERING: I think the hunger strike clearly indicated there is a will to do something for Tibet from both the Tibetan people and support groups. The enthusiasm is there. What the people need is a form to express that enthusiasm. We have had other hunger strikes, but this one went the furthest and it was taken quite seriously. The Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) and the volunteers who came out were fully determined to commit to the end, so the international attention given to the strike was also quite serious.
ITIM: Have you noticed any effect the hunger strike has had on the Tibetan movement?
TSERING: Yes. In the international public is there is this impression that the Tibetan exiles are quite happy and satisfied with the life they are leading, and there isn't much determination to change. This impression is out there, but this action clearly demonstrated that the general Tibetan public are definitely still yelling for their rights, their freedom and their wish to go back to their own country. Also, there is this desperation building up, and right now, under The Dalai Lama's leadership, it is one of the struggles that has been kept truly a non-violent struggle. However, if this method is not given enough support not only are the Tibetans losing but it will be a bad example for the world itself.
ITIM: People have talked to us about the increasing frustration and potential for violence. What are your thoughts on this?
TSERING: In Tibet we have a saying: If you are desperate you'll jump uphill. So in desperation people are likely to resolve things in a way that is not in their character. That, I think, is one thing that happened in the TYC and even in Tibet. The hunger strike was done in the view of the whole world, but in Tibet we don't see. The recent demonstration in Drapchi prison, for example. To have a demonstration in a Chinese prison is not easy. You really need determination and courage. These are clear indications of desperation building up. Once you are desperate you start losing your judgment and do things that are irrational, so this, I think is a concern. His Holiness made a statement saying that whatever goals the Tibetan people have be it independence, autonomy, whatever, He'll abided by the majority's will, but as far as means is concerned we will do by non-violence. On that He will not compromise. He had to make this statement to calm down the indications that desperation is building up.
ITIM: We've heard from a number of people two things. One, that the hunger strike, or any program for that matter, would be more effective if the leaders were doing it. So, if the hunger strikers had been executive members of TYC or government officials that it would be more effective. Second is that there is a lack of direction from the TGIE in terms of programs, providing ideas and plans.
TSERING: The government policy is non-violence, so if you have government officials involved in a method which is not approved, well, this is not possible. As far as TYC is concerned, when you begin this hunger strike, if the people who are to organize are participating they are not able to do the equally important tasks of coordination and publicity. However, TYC members were included in the third batch of strikers, and when TGIE suggested they suspend the strike they said, 'No. We want to sit.' I don't think many people knew this, but I thought it was a well thought out plan to have TYC members in the third batch. Lastly, I think the government tries to guide people in the non-violent struggle. We try to sow the seeds in the public, and it is up to the people to come up with their plans.
ITIM: Many more Chinese are online now and looking at websites. Do you have a message you would like to share with Chinese people looking at our website?
TSERING: Search for the truth. When we first met the Chinese dissidents who came out in 1989 after Tiananmen Square they said they came out from China because they wanted to make a change in the Chinese system, but as far as Tibet was concerned it has always been a part of the motherland and Tibet is a backwards, uncivilized, barbaric country. Our approach to them was that this is what you have been informed by your government. There is another side to it. We want you to learn the Tibetan side and then form your own idea. After hearing both sides, if you have the same opinion then we will respect your opinion. Today, the vast majority of Chinese dissidents will say that Tibet is not a part of China and we respect your right to self-determination. This clearly indicates that there is truth in the Tibetan cause. So be objective and know all the sides.
ITIM: What is your reading right now about how democracy is functioning in the Tibetan community in-exile?
TSERING: I personally feel that despite the circumstances under which we live; the limitations that we have as refugees living in a host country that doesn't even recognize the TGIE, I feel that democracy has done extremely well. Even countries who have had democracy for a long time are surprised by how we have been able to thrive and have a successful democracy in such a short time in these difficult circumstances. This credit goes to His Holiness.
ITIM: What is your perspective about the Tibet support groups and how they are functioning?
TSERING: We have a lot of gratitude and appreciation to all the support groups. Unlike other movements, the groups are formed mostly on a volunteer basis. People who have gone to Tibet and seen for themselves what is happening and think here is a people who deserve support and justice. People who have met The Dalai Lama and think here is a person who is peaceful and compassionate and He needs support. People see the Tibetan people in-exile and think here is a culture which is worth preserving. What I see is support that is coming from within and not being imposed by somebody else. This type of support is strong and lasting. What is really lacking is coordination. Fighting with a fist is much stronger than with only one finger. First, the groups must know what the Tibetan people want. Once they know this, the groups should work together to have more impact.
Assistant TSG Coordinator, Thinley NorbuITIM: What are some of the current issues or project that you would like to see TSGs be involved with?
NORBU: The International Commission of Jurists have come up with some recommendations and these should be pushed to the UN. In those recommendations you find many of the things that we have been promoting like bringing about negotiations between His Holiness or the TGIE and the Chinese government. I think only through negotiations will a solution be found.
ITIM: Sometimes people are frustrated by the Tibet movement because everything is slow and the non-violent approach sometimes is not very active or aggressive and so people get tired. Do you have any advice for people in the movement or newcomers to the movement or how they can continue to stay involved and not get frustrated?
NORBU: My first suggestion is to have patience and consistency. I have found, especially western TSGs, groups get carried away with something and then when something new comes along they move to that and forget their previous work. Patience and consistency is important. Also, the groups should be unified. For example, the hunger strike really helped TSGs, especially in Western countries. During this event they did everything that they could from the local level up to the international level. Everyone was focused and unified.
ITIM: What do you think it was about this hunger strike that led everyone to be unified?
NORBU: During the first 15 to 20 days there wasn't much response and support. When the hunger strikers were really in bad health and their situation was getting worse then the support groups started coming. I think the people didn't think that the strike would go on so long, and then it did and people realized that it must take it seriously.
ITIM: What do you think, in the next year, what effect the hunger strike will have on the TSG community?
NORBU: It has revitalized the spirit of the Tibetan struggle, and now people are recommitting to the cause. If their are some interesting campaigns coming up then I think the groups will continue to work together, otherwise, each of the groups has their own backgrounds and agendas that they will attend to.
I'd like to add that TSGs shouldn't be discouraged by the on going non-violent struggle. Their may be some TSGs feeling that we are getting no result. Keep on working and try to do what is realistic and possible.
PO Box 194 Fishers, Indiana 46038-0194 United States
e-mail: rangzen@aol.com