Dharamshala: - A two-day meeting of the Task Force on Negotiations was held in Dharamsala from December 31, 2012 to January 1, 2013, chaired by Dr. Lobsang Sangay, the political leader (Sikyong ) of the Central Tibetan Administration.
According to the Central Tibetan Administration, the meeting reviewed the deepening political crisis in Tibet, specifically the tragic spate of self-immolations, and discussed the urgent need for peaceful resolution of the issue of Tibet. The meeting also discussed the changes in the Chinese leadership and their implications on the Tibetan issue.
Substantive assessments were made on the genesis of the Tibetan dialogue process, its future prospects and challenges, based on the situation in Tibet, China and in the international community. Various constructive opinions were expressed to continue the dialogue. The procedure for appointment of envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama was also discussed.
The Tibetan leadership remains firmly committed to non-violence and the Middle-Way Approach, and strongly believes that the only way to resolve the issue of Tibet is through dialogue. "Substance being primary and process secondary, we are ready to engage in meaningful dialogue anywhere and at anytime", said the political leader.
We continue to appeal to Tibetans not to undertake drastic actions, including self-immolations. We welcome the statements of concern by the United Nations and governments about the current situation in Tibet as well as their encouragement for dialogue.
The Task Force will be reconstituted with additional new members, and a meeting will be convened soon after the National People's Congress session in March this year, when the new Chinese leadership will assume full responsibility.
"The recent change in the Chinese leadership will have global implications, regional as well as on India and the Tibetan people. And your much sought after expertise will help us prepare and think through as to how we should move forward in the comings months and years," Dr Sangay recently said during an international conference of China experts entitled, 'Leadership Transition in China, recently held in Dharamshala.
The Task Force on Negotiation was established in 1999 to assist His Holiness the Dalai Lama's envoys in the dialogue process with the Chinese government. Nine rounds of talks have been held between the Envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and representatives from the Chinese United Front Work Department, three of which were in 2010.
