Bylakuppe: Tibet's political and spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai lama today addressed the delegates of the first National General Meeting, underlining the need for unity and a robust democratic administration in exile to keep alive the hopes and aspirations of Tibetans living inside Tibet.
Speaking on the closing day of the 6-day meeting, His Holiness emphasised that unity has to be developed through trust and transparency between the administration and public which in turn will strengthen our efforts.
His Holiness expressed his appreciation of the meeting and called for more frequent and interactive meetings between the administration and general public.
The meeting also passed a unanimous resolution entreating His Holiness the Dalai Lama not to retire from leading the Tibetan struggle. Responding to the appeal, His Holiness said the democratically elected leadership of Tibetans in exile must be able to take full responsibility in leading the quest of Tibet in his absence.
Speaking on the efforts in resolving the issue of Tibet through the Middle-Way Approach, His Holiness said the policy is strongly supported by the international community, including the US government, EU Parliament and government of India. With a strong commitment to a mutually beneficial solution for both China and Tibet, I feel very confident to express our approach when meeting with the Chinese people, he added.
Acting prime minister (Kalon Tripa Tsering Phuntsok) conveyed the real aspiration of the Tibetan people appealing His Holiness the Dalai Lama not to abdicate from leading them, and use his wisdom to decide the course of action on Tibet in accordance with the changing political situation in China and the world at large.
His Holiness also spoke about the need to make progress in education, to strengthen the preservation of Tibet's culture and to maintain the moral behaviour of the Tibetan people.
The speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, Mr Penpa Tsering read out a 32-page final recommendation to strengthen democracy, sustenance of settlements, finance, education, health, awareness of political affairs and publicity of Tibetan issue.
He said the Kashag and the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile will make utmost efforts to implement the recommendations of the national general meeting even though they are yet to become laws.
The Tibetan goverment (Kashag) in-exile called for cooperation of the Tibetan Parliament, intellectuals, non-governmental organisations and the community in its efforts to implement those recommendations which are feasible. The Kashag said it will make best efforts to strengthen the sustenance of settlements, education, health, finance, advocacy of Tibetan issue and raising the general public's awareness of political affairs.
