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Youth  for  TNT  
 
W hy I Support Tenzin Namgyal Tethong for Kalon Tripa  
 
Tenpa  Dhargyal  Gapshi  

Ti betan scholar an d tran slator fo r H is

 
 I  have  been  noticing  recently  during  my  discussions  with  my   supported  like  today.  In  spite  of  all  these  difficulties  and  in  the   Ho lin ess the Dalai Lama, G eshe T hup ten
friends,  relatives,  and  fellow  Tibetans  that  there  is  a  real  lack   middle   of   cold-­‐war   politics,   Tenzin   Tethong   la   managed   not   Jin pa E ndo r ses Ten zin Nam gyal Tetho ng
of   understanding   regarding   my   candidate   for   Kalon   Tripa.   only  to  persevere  but  excel.  He  was  able  to  arrange  the  first    
Some   know   him   as   a   person   who   used   to   work   for   Tibetan   ever  international  tour  of  TIPA  1975-­‐76.  And  more  importantly   The   year   2011   will   be   a   watershed  
Government   long   time   ago   while   the   more   informed   ones   he  was  instrumental  in  bringing  to  fruition  the  first  ever  visit   year   for   the   Tibetan   Government   in  
know  about  his  involvement  with  some  of  the  projects  but  it   of  His  Holiness  to  the  US  which  set  the  stage  for  all  the  future   exile.   Everyone   concerned   with   the  
was   really   hard   to   find   someone   who   truly   understood   the   visits   and   could   very   well   be   the   one   that   worked   to   change   election   of   the   new   Kalon   Tripa   has  
depth   of   his   character   and   his   body   of   work.   All   too   often   the   perspective   of   the   American   people   toward   His   Holiness   shouldered   immense   responsibility.  
when   that   happens,   people   are   quick   to   dismiss   it   collectively   and  Tibet  in  general.  And  at  the  age  of  32,  he  was  specifically   For   many   months,   I   have   observed  
under   the   ‘experience’   title   and   continue   with   well-­‐that-­‐is-­‐ chosen   by   Kundun   to   head   the   2nd   delegation   to   Tibet   where   the   proceedings   and   the  
nice-­‐but  category  as  if  forty  years  of  service  can  be  summed   he   met   Panchen   Lama   and   reportedly   made   the   Chinese   developments   closely   and   having  
up  in  half  a  sentence.  I  often  ask  them  to  at  least  relay  to  me   handlers   sweat   quite   a   bit   and   also   broke   the   popular   tuned   myself   to   the   ideological  
what   Tenzin   Namgyal   Tethong   has   accomplished   during   his   misconception   that   young   modern   educated   Tibetans   will   bearings   of   the   three   candidates,   I  
tenure  and  they  can’t  relate  more  than  a  couple  and  that  too   welcome   the   developments   made   by  China   in   Tibet.   Later   on,   endorse  Tenzin  Namgyal  Tethong.  
hesitatingly.   And   that   tells   me   they   don’t   really   understand   he  was  made  the  special  representative  of  H.H  in  Washington,    
even  half  the  sentence  they  conceded  to  him.   DC  in  1987.  Tell  me  when  to  stop  because  the  list  keeps  going.   The  reasons  are:  
He   was   also   involved   in   establishing   Potala   Publication,   US-­‐  
Tibet   Committee,   Tibet   Fund,   Fulbright,   International   1st:   pertaining   to   his   years   of   experience   and   his   proven  
  The   main   purpose   of   this   piece   is   to   properly  
Campaign  for  Tibet  (which  we  have  used  successfully  to  lobby   mettle  as  an  able  leader,  Tethong  la  will  excel  on  the  job.  
introduce  my  candidate  to  the  general  public.  I  acknowledge  
our   cause   to   the   American   govt   and   the   people),   1000    
the   fault   most   probably   lies   with   my   candidate.   It   is   mostly  
resettlement  project  etc.  Now  in  the  upper  echelon  of  power,   2nd:   He   has   initiated   and   has   played   a   pivotal   figure   in   the  
due   to   the   fact   that   Tethong   la   is   a   very   humble   man   and  
Tethong   la   has   practically   served   in   every   department   of   successful   establishments   of   many   departments   of   the  
doesn’t   like   to   talk   about   his   achievements   and   a   type   of  
Tibetan   government   before   he   served   in   the   Kashag,   giving   Tibetan   Government   in   Exile  and   as   the  representative   of  His  
person   who   rather   let   his   body   of   works   speak   for   him.  
him   a   depth   of   working   experience   very   few   can   match,   if   Holiness  in  the  United  States.  He's  also  made  some  landmark  
Unfortunately,   sometimes   that   kind   of   humility   doesn’t   help  
any.  Now,  if  you  pay  careful  attention,  you  will  notice  a  lot  of   achievements   like   the   International   Campaign   for   Tibet,  
in   letting   people   know   about   his   experience,   achievements,  
‘first’  in  his  resume.  One  of  two  might  be  mere  coincidences   Tibetan   studies   initiative   at   Stanford   University   and   many  
his   vision,   and   leadership   qualities.   So,   since   Tenzin   Namgyal  
but  to  be  repeatedly  mentioned  as  one  of  the  first  founders  in   others...  
Tethong  la  is  very  reluctant  to  talk  about  his  vast  number  of  
a   lot   of   projects   and   organizations,   most   of   which   are   still    
achievements   without   self   effacement,   I   decided   to   go   ahead  
going  strong  and  still  a  vital  part  of  Tibetan  Diaspora,  shows   3rd:   He   is   well   experienced   and   an   ace   diplomat   in   dealing  
and   do   it   for   him   and   also   to   relay   at   the   same   time   why   I  
not   only   wisdom   but   a   person   who   has   a   keen   sense   of   vision   with   the   Indian   government   officials   to   further   strengthens  
think  he  is  the  right  person  for  Kalon  Tripa  at  this  critical  and  
and   natural   tenacity,   the   diplomatic   skills   and   the   leadership   the  Exile  Government  and  the  Tibetan  Schools  in  exile.  
precarious  time  in  our  nation’s  history.  On  one  hand  we  have  
qualities   to   get   things   done,   even   in   the   most   tiring   of    
an   increasingly   belligerent   C   hina   flaunting   its   newly   gained  
international   clout   while   on   the   other   hand   His   Holiness   is   circumstances.   4th   :   He   is   someone   who   is   not   headstrong   and   rigid   about  
considering   retirement   from   politics.   There   is   also   the   fact   traditional   practices   and   has   the   right   conviction   to   make  
that  His  Holiness  is  76  years  old  and  anything  is  possible  in  the   In   total   he   has   served   Tibetan   govt   and   Tibetan   innovations  sensing  its  imperativeness  and  at  avenue  bereft  of  
next   five   to   ten   years.   This   is   not   the   time   to   experiment.   It   is   people   for   the   good   part   of   40   years   and   is   still   serving   the   novelty.   These   innovations   are   in   conformity   with   the   strong  
a  time  that  calls  for  a  person  who  has  the  right  combination   cause   of   Tibet   currently   as   the   resident   expert   on   Tibetan   and  deep  visions  he  has  had.  
of   experience,   integrity,   leadership   qualities   and   vision.   We   Studies   Initiative   at   Stanford   university,   which   he   helped    
need  a  proven  leader  who  can  hit  the  ground  running.   create,  aside  from  being  a  member  of  the  Committee  of  100   5th:   He   has   an   unshakable   faith   in   the   age-­‐old   religion   and  
(yes,  you  guessed  it,  he  was  once  again  one  of  the  founding   traditional  knowledge  of  Tibet's  rich  culture.  
members  and  a  current  board  member).  I  am  not  supporting    
Tenzin   Tethong   la   started   his   public   service   when   6th:   Even   from   an   individual   perspective,   Tethong   la   is  
Tenzin  Tethong  la  just  because  he  has  experience  working  for  
he   was   a   teenager   working   as   a   secretary   and   translator   for   someone  who  by  nature  is  composed  and  compassionate  but  
the   Tibetan   government   but   because   he   has   shown   he   is   a  
the   department   of   education.   Before   I   forget,   I   want   can  hold  hardened  stance  if  and  when  the  situation  demands.  
person   who   has   the   right   mixture   of   diplomatic   skills,  
everyone   to   compare   their   life   with   his   life   so   that   we   can   He  is  someone  who  deeply  assesses  his  co-­‐worker's  strengths  
integrity,   far   reaching   vision,   openness   and   leadership  
truly  assess  the  remarkable  achievements  of  this  man.  When   and  accordingly  delegates   tasks   that   complement   one's  skills  
qualities  that  we  desperately  require  at  this  critical  time  in  our  
he   was   nineteen   years   of   age,   he   was   one   of   the   founding   and  potentials.  He  has  the  innate  ability  and  the  right  capacity  
history.   I   support   him   because   he   has   the   can-­‐do   attitude   and  
members  of  Sheja,  which  was  a  Tibetan  magazine,  which  had   to   respect   and   take   into   consideration   the   heart-­‐felt  
he  has  proven  time  and  time  again  that  he  can  ACTUALLY  do  
a   huge   following   in   the   60′s   and   70′s.   When   he   was   just   22   suggestions   and   the   genuine   aspirations   of   the   people  
it.   When   life   gave   him   lemons,   he   not   only   made   Lemonade,  
years   old,   he   with   three   others,   started   Tibetan   Youth   belonging  to  any  realm  and  status.  
but   he   packaged   it,   distributed   it   and   created   a   successful  
Congress,   which   has   now   become   the   biggest   non-­‐  
company.   Repeatedly.   I   support   him   because   he   is   the   right  
governmental   organization   with   its   own   rich   history   and   is   Based   on   the   above   cited   reasons,   I   request   everyone  
man  for  the  job  and  for  Tibet.  Nothing  more.  
still   a   big   presence   in   our   community.   Recognizing   his   skills   concerned   with   the   preservation   and   up-­‐   keeping   of   the  
and   leadership   qualities,   he   was   appointed   as   the   acting   Tibetan  culture  and  all  those  who's  thought  resonate  mine,  to  
representative   of   His   Holiness   in   1972   when   he   was   24.   That   is   P.S:   Also   forgot   to   mention   he   was   one   of   the   principal   vote  for  Tenzin  Namgyal  Tethong.  
not  the  remarkable  part.  You  have  to  put  that  into  context.  At   people  behind  the  introduction  of  the  Tibetan  section  of  VOA,    
that   time,   there   was   huge   shortage   of   fund   and   was   at   a   a   founding   member   of   the   Dalai   Lama   Foundation,   founding   Best  Wishes  
dismal  period  in  our  history  when  United  States  was  actively   member  of  Missing  Peace  Arts  Exhibit.    
cultivating   good   ties   with   China   and   they   had   discontinued   Thupten  Jinpa  (signed)  
their   financial   and   political   support   for   Tibetans.   There   were    
Tenpa  Dhargyal  Gapshi  is  a  Tibetan  resident  of  Toronto,  Canada.  
only  about  20-­‐30  Tibetans  living  in  New  York  at  the  time  and  
only   a   handful   of   western   supporters.   That   was   the   time  
Tibetan   protestors   were   hackled   and   booed   instead   of    

WHY  TENZIN  NAMGYAL  TETHONG?  

EXPERIENCE:   The  next  Kalon  Tripa  will  serve  until  2021  if  re-­‐elected,  at  that  time  His  Holiness  the  Dalai  Lama  will  be  85  years.  The  Kalon  
Tripa  will  need  to  work  closely  with  and  under  His  Holiness,  while  shouldering  an  increasing  burden  of  leadership  responsibilities  for  the  
Tibetan  people.  

This  is  a  critical  time  for  Tibet,  and  there  is  no  room  for  error  and  learning  on  the  job.  The  Tibetan  people  need  a  tried  and  true  leader.  

Tenzin  Namgyal  Tethong  has  served  as  Kalon  Tripa  at  the  request  of  His  Holiness  the  Dalai  Lama.  He  has  represented  His  Holiness  in  the  
YOUTH FOR TENZIN NAMGYAL TETHONG
international  arena.  He  has  led  an  official  delegation  to  Tibet  and  China  and  is  at  home  in  Dharamsala  and  world  capitals.  Throughout  his  
life   he   has   been   training   to   be   the   Kalon   Tripa   of   the   Tibetan   people   during   this   critical   time.   He   is   the   most   experienced   Kalon   Tripa  
candidate.   We are a group of Tibetan Youth from every
walk of life from India, Nepal, US, Canada,
INTEGRITY:  We  Tibetans  need  a  leader  who  is  selfless,  humble,  compassionate  and  motivated  by  the  love  of  his  country  and  people.  Tenzin   Europe who know that Tenzin Namgyal Tethong
Namgyal   Tethong   has   shown   he   is   willing   to   make   sacrifices   for   the   Tibetan   people   and   cause.   His   three   decades   of   service   to   the   la is the right candidate for the Kalon Tripa 2011.
government  in  exile  and  two  decades  of  continued  work  for  the  Tibetan  cause  in  a  non-­‐governmental  capacity  is  the  best  testament  to  this.  
Tenzin  Namgyal  Tethong  has  demonstrated  that  he  has  the  integrity  and  devotion  to  the  Tibetan  people  and  cause  necessary  to  be  the  next   As young Tibetans we strongly feel that this is
Kalon  Tripa.   not the time to sit idly by but to actively
participate and take responsibility for our own
VISION:  As  the  Tibetan  people  face  challenges  from  a  more  globally  assertive  China,  we  need  a  leader  with  the  vision  to   determine  what  is   Future. It is not a matter who we vote for but
needed,  and  the  drive  to  make  it  happen.  Tenzin  Namgyal  Tethong  has  shown  he  has  the  vision  and  drive.  He  co-­‐founded  Tibetan  Youth   knowing why we are voting for our Kalon Tripa.
Congress,  the  largest  Tibetan  NGO  in  the  world.  He  co-­‐founded  International  Campaign  for  Tibet,  which  has  become  Tibet’s  voice  in  the  
corridors   of   power   in   Washington   DC   and   Brussels.   He   has   proven   to   be   a   leader   with   vision,   innovation   and   ability   to   affect  and   effect  
change.  

 
 
  
Youth  for  TNT  
T ET HO N G’S W O R DS S T IL L R IN G T R UE , FIVE YE AR S LA TE R  

Tenzin  Pema  

 
  And  it  is  often  followed  by  remarks  by  other  Chinese  diplomats  and  
 “The   cause   of   Tibet,   truly   much   greater   and   more   spokesmen,   including   Tibetans   in   their   government,   who  
significant  than  our  individual  lives,  will  surely  outlive  us  all   he  was  a  founding  member  of  the  Sheja  Magazine  (Tibetan  monthly   repeatedly  state  that  real  discussions  can  take  place  only  after  the  
magazine),   Tibetan   Youth   Congress,   International   Campaign   For   Dalai   Lama   has   abandoned   his   hidden   agenda   for   Tibetan  
and  be  ultimately  redeemed.”  
Tibet,  Tibet  House  and  Tibet  Fund.   independence,   despite   the   countless   statements   to   the   contrary   by  
His  Holiness.  
Tethong  Tenzin  Namgyal,  2006   Currently,   he   serves   as   Chairperson   of   the   Committee   of   100   for  
Tibet   and   President   of   the   Dalai   Lama   Foundation,   besides   being   The   Chinese   are   only   confirming   our   worst   suspicions   –   that   they  
As  the  Kalon  Tripa  battle  waged  on,  I  decided  to  look  up  my  digital   involved   in   many   Tibet   related   activities   ranging   from   the   Self-­‐ are   carrying   out   this   ‘delegation   diplomacy’   simply   to   use   up   time  
world   for   the   text   of   an   interview   with   Kalon   Tripa   candidate   Determination   initiative   within   the   Tibetan   exile   community   to   because   they   know   His   Holiness   is   getting   older   each   year   and  
Tethong   Tenzin   Namgyal-­‐la   that   was   published   in   2006.   On   international   projects   such   as   The   Missing   Peace,   The   Dalai   Lama   because   they   can   silence   the   United   States   and   Europe   by  
returning   to   this   piece   a   second   time,   and   nearly   five   years   after,   Portrait   Project,   etc.   He   is   also   a   visiting   scholar   at   Stanford   appearing   as   though   they   are   ‘talking’   to   the   Dalai   Lama’s  
I’m   amazed   at   the   depth   of   his   foresight   and   of   how   much   his   University   where   he   teaches   courses   on   Tibet   in   the   History   Dept.   representatives.   And   furthermore,   they   are   succeeding   in   diluting  
words  did  and  still  continue  to  ring  true  for  the  Tibetan  issue.   and  the  Continuing  Studies  Program,  and  is  Director  of  ARC  (Asian   the   hopes   and   resolve   of   the   Tibetan   people   and   creating   dissent  
Religions  &  Cultures  Initiative)  /Tibet  at  Stanford.   and  confusion  among  those  who  support  us.  
Much   has   changed   in   modern   Tibetan   history   since  
2006,  the  most  noteworthy  of  which  being  the  2008  Lhasa  uprising.   In  this  exclusive  interview,  Kasur  Tenzin  Namgyal  Tethong  gives  you   TW:   Many  are  of  the   view   that   the   Chinese   government   is   following  
And  one  of  the  causes  of  this  historic  act  of  bravery  by  the  intrepid   his  perspective  of  the  different  aspects  of  the  47  years  of  struggle   a   wait   and   watch   approach   with   the   present   Dalai   Lama   and   the  
people   of   Tibet   is   highlighted   in   a   view   that   Tethong-­‐la   expressed   for   Tibetans.   He   also   tells   Tibetan   World’s   Tenzin   Pema   Chashar,   present   govt-­‐in-­‐exile.   What   are   the   advantages   the   Chinese  
during   the   interview   —   that   China’s   then   (and   continuing)   Tibet   what  he  thinks  of  China’s  stance  towards  the  Tibetan  issue,  of  the   government   could   have   in   resolving   the   Tibet   issue   with   the   present  
policy   “…is   strictly   about   control   over   the   Tibetans   and   the   47  years  of  life  in  exile  and  under  Chinese  rule  for  Tibetans,  and  of   Dalai  Lama  rather  than  wait  for  a  power  vacuum  projected  to  occur  
facilitation   of   greed   and   corruption   under   the   guise   of   economic   what  Tibetans  could  expect  in  the  next  three  decades.   in  his  absence?  
prosperity.”   It’s   interesting   also   to   note   how   Tethong-­‐la   chose   to  
link   the   resolution   of   the   Tibetan   issue   with   China’s   relations   with   TW:  What  are  your  views  on  the  socio-­‐political  changes  taking  place   TT:   I   think   it   is   reasonable   to   assume   that   there   are   many   in   the  
the   Uighur   people,   especially   when   one   recalls   the   Uighur   unrest   in   Chinese   occupied   Tibet,   in   the   period   following   the   Cultural   Chinese  government  who  would  like  to  simply  let  time  take  care  of  
that  broke  out  after  the  uprisings  in  Tibet  Tethong-­‐la,  through  most   Revolution?   the   Tibetan   problem,   believing   that   once   His   Holiness   is   no   longer  
of   that   interview   in   early   2006,   also   brings   to   attention   China’s  
with  us  the  issue  will  gradually  fade  away.  Furthermore,  from  their  
growing   and   single-­‐minded   focus   on   building   its   own   economic  
TT:   After   1959,   the   Chinese   introduced   major   changes   in   the   deliberate   silence   on   many   matters   to   the   occasional   release   of   a  
prosperity  —  the  effects  of  which  are  now  visible  in  a  world  marred  
Tibetan   society   and   polity,   and   following   the   Cultural   Revolution   prisoner  or  two  before  a  major  visit  of  a  Chinese  leader  to  the  west  
with  the  global  economic  meltdown,  with  China  among  the  few  to  
the   focus   has   been   primarily   economic.   However,   it   is   clear   from   or  of  a  western  leader  to  China,  they  are  tactically  succeeding  in  not  
appear  unscathed.  
careful   study   of   these   policies   and   the   impact   they   are   having   on   drawing  attention  to  Tibet.  
the   Tibetan   people,   that   these   policies   are   basically   ‘colonial’   in  
The   Kalon   Tripa   candidate’s   thoughts   on   the   “talks”   nature   and   their   intentions   for   the   Tibetan   people   are   far   from   Of   course,   if   the   Chinese   had   real   courage,   confidence   and   an  
between   His   Holiness   the   Dalai   Lama’s   envoys   and   the   Chinese   sincere.   openness  in  dealing  with  the  Tibetan  issue,  they  could  easily  begin  
government   officials   —   when   taken   into   context   with   all   that   has  
negotiations  with  His  Holiness  immediately  and  the  rewards  would  
happened  since  2008  and  the  lack  of  concrete  results  these  “talks”  
At   least   up   until   the   Cultural   Revolution,   Chinese   leaders   could   be  considerable.  
have  yielded  —  rings  doubly  true  and  maybe,  even  prophetic.  
boast   of   ideas   of   modernisation,   progress,   democracy,   and  
socialism   for   the   Tibetans.   These   days   it   is   strictly   about   control   First  of  all,  it  would  be  a  tremendous  public  relations  boost  for  the  
  But  his  answer  to  the  last  question  on  how  he  believed   over  the  Tibetans  and  the  facilitation  of  greed  and  corruption  under   image  of  China,  especially  for  the  Chinese  leadership,  one  which  is  
the   next   three   decades   would   pan   out   is,   I   believe,   especially   the   guise   of   economic   prosperity.   And   it   is   important   to   note   that   self-­‐appointed,  and  lacks  any  real  public  validation.  And  of  course,  
relevant   to   our   Tibetan   world   today,   just   as   it   will   be   in   the   years   this   corrupted   and   convoluted   policy,   even   if   it   has   some   real   it   would   give   the   People’s   Republic   the   much-­‐needed   sense   of  
ahead.   As   Tethong-­‐la   himself   states,   and   I   cannot   quote   him   economic   benefit,   applies   only   to   a   very   small   segment   of   the   legitimacy.   Since   the   invasion   of   Tibet   and   the   subsequent   exodus  
enough,   in   the   end,   “The   cause   of   Tibet,   truly   much   greater   and   Tibetan  people,  those  in  the  good  books  of  the  Chinese  or  working   of   His   Holiness   and   the   Tibetan   people,   China’s   presence   in   Tibet  
more  significant  than  our  individual  lives,  will  surely  outlive  us  and   for   them   and   a   small   percentage   in   the   urban   areas,   who   are   remains  challenged,  both  morally  and  legally.  
be  ultimately  redeemed.”   limited  to  a  handful  of  Tibetan  ‘cities’.  
“It   will   be   a   period   when   we   will   be   between   Dalai   Lamas,   a   There   are   also   those   who   believe   that   a   resolution   to   the   Tibetan  
critical  time  as  oft  repeated  in  our  history.  It  will  also  be  a  time   TW:  The  Chinese  government’s  stance  towards  their  ‘Tibet  problem’   issue   will   help   China   in   their   difficult   relations   with   the   Uighur  
of   tremendous   changes   in   China,   with   possibilities   of   massive   has  varied  from  personal  interest,  to  Mao’s  indifference  and  martial   people,   not   to   mention   the   millions   of   Mongolians   within   the   PRC  
social,  political  and  economic  upheavals,  and  challenges  on  the   oppression,   to   Deng’s   lenience   in   ‘87   and   back   to   oppression   and   and   the   Mongolians   in   Mongolia   and   in   the   Russian   republics.  
environmental   and   health   fronts   that   will   have   no   easy   human   rights   violations.   How   do   you   view   the   current   Chinese   Indirectly,   many   also   believe   that   any   success   with   the   Tibetan  
solutions.   administration’s  stance  towards  the  ‘Tibet  problem’?   people  will  provide  further  confidence  and  success  in  their  dealing  
with  Taiwan.  
Of   course,   the   Tibetan   people   will   continue   to   exist,   both   on   the   TT:   As   I   alluded   to   above,   during   the   early   years   of   the   People’s  
Tibetan   plateau   and   in   the   greater   Diaspora.   At   a   time   in   Republic   many   Chinese   leaders   seemed   genuinely   infused   with   a   TW:   Finally,   tell   us   how   do   you   personally   feel,   the   next   three  
modern   history   when   the   very   survival   of   communities   and   great  mission  for  mankind,  not  just  the  Tibetans,  and  believed  that   decades   will   be   in   Tibet   ‘s   exile   history,   taking   into   account   the  
cultures  have  been  challenged  and  some  have  faded  away  into   they   were   creating   a   new   and   better   world   order.   Mao   and   his   likelihood  that  this  might  be  the  period  after  the  Dalai  Lama.  
the  pages  of  history,  the  immediate  future  of  Tibetan  language,   colleagues   were   part   of   that   generation,   but   the   one   big   mistake  
culture  and  identity  remain  somewhat  promising  and  healthy.   they   made   was   to   assume   that   they   knew   what   was   best   for   the  
TT:  No  doubt,  the  next  three  decades  will  be  of  great  importance.  It  
Tibetans,  as  a  result  of  which,  they  never  bothered  to  listen  to  the  
will   be   a   period   when   we   will   be   between   Dalai   Lamas,   a   critical  
Tibetans.  
Whether   our   identity   is   further   enhanced   in   the   form   of   a   free   time   as   oft   repeated   in   our   history.   It   will   also   be   a   time   of  
and   independent   Tibetan   nation   once   more,   or   whether   the   tremendous   changes   in   China,   with   possibilities   of   massive   social,  
Tibetans  as   a   people   with   a   distinct   cultural   heritage   remain   of   As  for  Deng  Xiapong,  he  was  essentially  trying  to  save  a  state  and   political   and   economic   upheavals,   and   challenges   on   the  
any   significance   far   into   the   future,   cannot   be   predicted.   But,   society   that   was   on   the   verge   of   collapse.   His   preoccupation   was   environmental  and  health  fronts  that  will  have  no  easy  solutions.  
with   all   the   changes   that   are   inevitable,   there   will   surely   be   simply   to   restore   order   and   to   take   China   out   of   a   deep   stagnation,  
many   opportunities   for   us   to   strive   towards   our   goals   and   which   had   befallen   it,   and   he   succeeded   in   doing   that.   His  
Of   course,   the   Tibetan   people   will   continue   to   exist,   both   on   the  
dreams,  if  we  can  remain  true  to  them.   colleague,   however,   Hu   Yaobang,   the   Party   Secretary,   was   quite  
Tibetan   plateau   and   in   the   greater   Diaspora.   At   a   time   in   modern  
keen  to  correct  the  mistakes  made  in  Tibet.  Unfortunately,  he  died  
history   when   the   very   survival   of   communities   and   cultures   have  
before   he   was   able   to   carry   out   some   of   the   drastic   changes   and  
When   nothing   good   seems   to   be   happening   at   any   given   been   challenged   and   some   have   faded   away   into   the   pages   of  
new   policies   he   was   trying   to   implement   in   Tibet.   Yes,   ‘if’   only   Hu  
moment,  there  is  no  need  to  despair  or  become  desperate.  If  we   history,   the   immediate   future   of   Tibetan   language,   culture   and  
Yaobang  had  lived  longer.  
truly   believe   in   the   cause   of   Tibet   then   we   must   strive   to   do   our   identity  remain  somewhat  promising  and  healthy.  
best,  no  matter  that  success  may  not  come  in  our  own  lifetime.  
The  cause  of  Tibet,  truly  much  greater  and  more  significant  than   I  do  not  see  any  indication  that  the  current  leaders  are  concerned  
Whether  our  identity  is  further  enhanced  in  the  form  of  a  free  and  
our   individual   lives,   will   surely   outlive   us   all   and   be   ultimately   with   Tibet   in   a   meaningful   way   and   there   is   little   evidence   for   us   to  
independent  Tibetan  nation  once  more,  or  whether  the  Tibetans  as  
redeemed.”   feel   optimistic.   Clearly,   they   are   fully   occupied   with   their   own  
a   people   with   a   distinct   cultural   heritage   remain   of   any  significance  
problems,  which  are  many  and  of  massive  scale,  too  many  and  too  
far   into   the   future,   cannot   be   predicted.   But,   with   all   the   changes  
complex  to  mention  here.  
that  are  inevitable,  there  will  surely  be  many  opportunities  for  us  to  
strive   towards   our   goals   and   dreams,   if   we   can   remain   true   to  
Of   course,   Hu   Jintao   was   once   Party   Secretary   of   Tibet   before   he   them.  
Below  is  the  partial  text  from  the  2006  interview:   moved   to   the   top   levels   of   leadership,   but   he   spent   most   of   his  
tenure   in   Beijing,   not   Lhasa.   And   while   he   has   ‘experience’   with  
When  nothing  good  seems  to  be  happening  at  any  given  moment,  
*  *  *   Tibet   his   first   response   to   any   signs   of   Tibetan   discontent,   during  
there  is  no  need  to  despair  or  become  desperate.  If  we  truly  believe  
the  period  of  Tibetan  demonstrations  in  Lhasa,  was  to  immediately  
in   the   cause   of   Tibet   then   we   must   strive   to   do   our   best,   no   matter  
impose   martial   law.   His   primary   concern   now   may   be   to   simply  
Kasur  Tenzin  Namgyal  Tethong  needs  no  introduction.  He  is  one  of   that  success  may  not  come  in  our  own  lifetime.  The  cause  of  Tibet,  
survive   and   remain   unchallenged,   on   top,   as   is   the   legacy   of  
the   most   widely   known   Tibetans   not   only   for   his   many   years   of   truly   much   greater   and   more   significant   than   our   individual   lives,  
modern  Chinese  politics  and  power.  
service  in  the  Tibetan  government  in  exile,  but  also  for  the  variety   will  surely  outlive  us  all  and  be  ultimately  redeemed.  
of  roles  he  has  played  in  so  many  different  fields.  He  began  working  
for   the   Tibetan   government   in   exile   from   1967   onwards   and   went   TW:   Five   rounds   of   negotiations   between   the   Chinese  
Tenzin  Pema  is  a  Bangalore  based  business  journalist.    
on   to   serving   various   ministerial   portfolios   in   the   Tibetan   representatives  and  the  Tibetan  delegation  have  taken  place  so  far  
government.  From  1993  to  1995,  he  took  over  as  the  Chairman  of   since  2002.  Give  us  a  sense  of  the  result  of  these  talks  considering    

the  Kashag,  the  Cabinet  of  His  Holiness  the  Dalai  Lama.     how  they  (the  results)  are  not  so  apparent  to  ordinary  Tibetans.  
 
   

       
TT:   It   is   difficult   to   have   a   real   sense   of   what   is   going   on   because  
 

Till   date,   he   has   officially   represented   His   Holiness   the   Dalai   Lama  
and   the   Tibetan   Government-­‐in-­‐exile   in   many   nations   across   the   nothing   of   substance   or   much   of   the   details   of   this   delegation     Youth  for  Tenzin  Namgyal  Tethong  

                             
globe.   He   also   worked   all   his   life   with   Tibetan   exiles   as   a   teacher,   diplomacy   has   been   made   public.   But   it   is   very   disconcerting   that  
journalist  and  grassroots  activist  –  the  proof  of  this  in  the  fact  that     each  time  our  delegation  visits  China,  the  Chinese  Foreign  Ministry   Contact  us:  contact@kalontripa2011.org  
or  some  government  spokesman,  always  refers  to  them  as  overseas  

 
Tibetans  returning  for  personal  family  visits.  
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