President Chen Shui-bian on the afternoon of March 28 met with Tibet Religious Foundation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama Director Tsegyam Ngaba at the Presidential Office. On behalf of the government and people of the ROC (Taiwan), the president expressed his concern about the situation in Tibet.
President Chen said Beijing authorities have resorted to force and violence to quell uprisings in Tibet recently, causing hardship for many Tibetan people. This heavy-handed domination by the Chinese authorities has resulted in the loss of precious life and freedom for many people in Tibet. President Chen said the government and people of Taiwan, regardless of political affiliation, have exhibited a deep concern for the situation in Tibet. The president on March 27 officially opened a memorial to the victims of the White Terror period in Taiwan. In remarks at the ceremony, the president said he especially urged the people of Taiwan to pay attention to developments in Tibet and to closely monitor the repressive action being taken by the Beijing authorities. He said he hopes that after the meeting with Director Tsegyam, he hopes to find time in the evening to go to Liberty Square to pray for Tibetans on behalf of the government and people here.
Director Tsegyam said that President Chen immediately expressed his support for Tibet as the events began to unfold in the region on March 10. He said the president strongly condemned the brutal methods adopted by the Chinese Communists. Director Tsegyam said that he reported early on to the Dalai Lama the response made by President Chen and the ROC's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the condemnations issued by Taiwan leaders and agencies of the measures taken by Beijing. He said that he has sensed the high level of concern among the government, people and political parties here for the fate of Tibet. He added that he wants to take advantage of this opportunity to express his gratitude on behalf of the Tibetan government in exile and all the Tibetan people.
Director Tsegyam furthermore said that recently the Dalai Lama personally wrote a letter to President Chen, explaining the dire situation currently facing Tibet. While it appears on the surface that the violent repression undertaken by the Chinese Communists has restored peace, in fact protests are still erupting in other areas around Tibet, the Dalai Lama's letter indicated. Director Tsegyam said the Chinese Communists have a stranglehold on the media and have vilified the Dalai Lama, using insulting and humiliating means to revile His Holiness. This not only is unable to resolve the issues in Tibet, but rather further sparks outrage among the Tibetan people, Director Tsegyam said. He added that the Chinese Communists have recently distorted the facts about the desire for freedom among the people of Tibet and their resistance to suppression by the Chinese Communists. The Beijing authorities have formulated stories concerning ethnic Han Chinese and Tibetans that contradict reality. They have floated stories that Tibetan mobs have murdered ethnic Hans and hate ethnic Hans. Director Tsegyam said that this is regrettable, since the Tibetan issue has nothing to do with ethnic hatred. He said that the Tibetans oppose heavy-handed governance and totalitarianism of the Chinese Communists, and cannot accept unfair and unreasonable treatment.
President Chen stressed that the Tibet problem is not an ethnic issue between Han Chinese and Tibetans. Rather, it is an issue that centers on human rights and universal values. He said he regrets that the authorities in Beijing have used activities to mark the 49th anniversary of the Tibetan national uprising when Tibetans rose up against China's invasion to stage a bloody crackdown. At the same time, they have placed the blame on the "Dalai Lama clique," saying that this is the group responsible for planning the protests. President Chen said no one can accept such slander and accusations. He noted that the Dalai Lama throughout his life has upheld freedom and has opposed violence. As a result, trying to blame the Dalai Lama and his government in exile for the events in Tibet totally ignores facts. This is another example of the Beijing government shirking responsibility, he said.
President Chen said that previously when the Dalai Lama visited Taiwan he and His Holiness had very cordial discussions. He said the Dalai Lama has long expressed his desire to engage in dialogue with the Beijing government and to peacefully resolve the Tibetan issue. President Chen said he fully supports this position. As a result, the Dalai Lama has many times put off making further visits to Taiwan due to political sensitivities. The president said prior to leaving office, he may not have another opportunity to meet the Dalai Lama. However, he said he hopes that once he returns to being an ordinary citizen he will be able to travel to the site of the Tibetan government in exile, seek counsel from the Dalai Lama, and listen to suggestions made by His Holiness.