gst@gnosys.svle.ma.us (Gary S. Trujillo) (02/24/91)
The following bulletin is the latest of a series provided by a mailing list relay which I operate. If you would like to regularly receive such bulletins, please send your request to gst@gnosys.svle.ma.us. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tibet Information Network / 7 Beck Rd London E8 News Update / February 22, 1991/ total no of pages: 2 CHINESE PLEASED WITH BRITISH PM REFUSAL TO MEET TIBET LEADER The Chinese Government has indicated its satisfaction with the refusal of the British Prime Minister to meet with the exiled Tibetan Leader, the Dalai Lama, according to reports from Reuters in Beijing. Prime Minister Major wrote on 13th February that he would not meet with the Tibetan Leader. "I have concluded that it would not be right for me to meet the Dalai Lama during his visit", he wrote. Major justified his decision by claiming that a meeting with the "spiritual figure" might be "later portrayed by his supporters in a political manner". In an article published on Tuesday 19th February the Beijing Daily quoted the Prime Minister as saying "it is not appropriate for me to meet with the Dalai Lama during his visit". The article, later carried by another official Party paper, the English- language China Daily, was headlined "Major refuses to meet Dalai Lama". Reuters quoted diplomats in Beijing as saying that the tone of the report clearly indicated China's approval of Major's decision. Diplomats told Reuters that the Chinese are especially sensitive about Britain's position on Tibet, because the UK has never fully recognised Chinese sovereignty over Tibet. Instead the British recognise an imprecise arrangement originally referred to as suzerainty. The Chinese are almost certain to be keen to get the British to declare unequivocal acceptance of their claims over Tibet, which they invaded in 1950. For historical reasons, this will hinge on the British being able to argue that present-day Tibet enjoys autonomy. Signs of a deal In this case China's public approval of Major's position is unusual, since the British policy has always insisted on refusing to meet the Tibetan leader. The letter from Major conceded that the Dalai Lama, who will visit London for 5 days form 17th March, will meet the Lord Chancellor, described by Major himself as "a senior member of Parliament". The lack of Chinese reaction to this concession suggests that some deal may have been struck with the British. The concession is a complete turnabout in British policy, and in normal circumstances would have been expected to draw extensive complaints form the Chinese. in April 1989 the Chinese issued a warning, since repeated, that any meeting by foreign officials with the Dalai Lama or his officials would be considered an act "unfriendly to China". Their decision to ignore the planned meeting with the Lord Chancellor may indicate that the British have given them re-assurance of a more fundamental kind. The Lord Chancellor has no public political profile, but sits at Cabinet meetings and is regarded in ceremonial terms as senior to the Prime Minister, according to some authorities. - end -