DEMOCRACY-IN-EXILE - TIBETANS DEBATE REFORM AMIDST

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 NEW DELHI 000863 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/30/2019 TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL PREF CH IN SUBJECT: DEMOCRACY-IN-EXILE - TIBETANS DEBATE REFORM AMIDST INDIAN ELECTIONS REF: A. 08 NEW DELHI 3002 ¶B. NEW DELHI 369 ¶C. 08 NEW DELHI 2884 ¶D. NEW DELHI 442 Classified By: Deputy Political Counselor Les Viguerie for Reasons 1.4 (B and D) ¶1. (C) Summary. Following the 50th anniversary of the Dalai Lama's escape to India, Tibetans now look toward their future and the implementation of further democratic reforms for the government-in-exile, the Central Tibetan Authority (CTA). While the exile community has the instruments of democracy, most Tibetans admit that they have not fully answered the Dalai Lama's call following the November special meeting to assume responsibility for the democratic reforms in the government-in-exile. Instead, most rely on their spiritual and secular leader for guidance. Exile groups continue to lobby for the establishment of political parties, which would require restructuring the CTA's parliament-in-exile from representation by provinces in Tibet, to representation by settlements outside of Tibet. Another push for further democratic engagement involves an on-line search for candidates for the next prime minister-in-exile, the Kalon Tripa, whose term will begin in 2011. The next Kalon Tripa will play a pivotal role as several important events will occur during the five-year term, including the Dalai Lama's 80th birthday and a transfer of power in the People's Republic of China (PRC). Under current rules, the Kalon Tripa chairs the three-person Council of Regency, which would control the government-in-exile and the direction of the entire movement in the event of the Dalai Lama's death, while his reincarnation is identified and educated. ¶2. (SBU) Summary continued. These debates are taking place in tea houses and monasteries across India, which is conducting its five-phase national elections from April 16 to May 13. Tibetans are closely monitoring the campaigns of Indian political parties and hoping the next government in New Delhi continues to support the Tibetan community in India and considers a stronger stance against China. End Summary. The Political Party Predicament -------------- ¶3. (C) In a recent trip to Dharamsala, Poloff met with officials from the Tibetan government-in-exile, known as the Central Tibetan Authority (CTA),various non-governmental organizations (NGOs),and political activists. Tibetans were in a reflective mood after a tumultous year that included: the decision to continue with the Middle Way strategy at the November special meeting (Ref A),the 50th Anniversary of the Dalai Lama's escape to India (Ref B),and reports about the Dalai Lama's declining health (Ref C). Contacts discussed strategies for further democratization, as the Dalai Lama has pushed Tibetans to assume more responsibility for their government. Kesang Takla, Minister of the Department of Information and International Relations, explained that Tibetans have been reluctant to meet this challenge because it entails recognizing the Dalai Lama's mortality. She noted the Dalai Lama has given his people "all the instruments of democracy" and now they must use them. ¶4. (C) Many Tibetans complained that the CTA is stifled by a lack of debate, as no political party system exists within the government-in-exile. In 1994, at the Dalai Lama's behest, the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) tried to launch a political party, The National Democratic Party of Tibet (NDPT),but the party floundered due to lack of leadership and eventually morphed into an NGO. The NDPT has fared better as an NGO dedicated to the promotion of democracy and transparency, with 2,500 members in 14 chapters across India. NDPT President Chime Youngdung admitted Tibetans are "still learning about democracy" and remarked that the organization's greatest challenge is combating the widespread belief that political parties will divide the exile community. Political activist Tenzin Tsundue argued Tibetans should not fear confrontation, since political debate within the community will allow Tibetans to practice advocating and defending their views, necessary skills for interacting with the media and Chinese counterparts. Tsundue told Poloff "we have truth, but do not always know how to present it." ¶5. (C) Other Tibetans warned that a two-party system would only lead to division. International Campaign for Tibet's NEW DELHI 00000863 002.2 OF 004 Tenzin Choeden argued "now is not the time for a two-party system, it may not even be the time for democracy." According to Choeden, Tibetans need a unified front against the Chinese, especially before the international community. He commented that many Tibetans lack the education needed to further democratic reforms and the community should continue to trust the parliament-in-exile. Hindustan Times reporter Guarav Bisht criticized Tibetan parliamentarians, who are active during the semiannual session but often become lax between sessions, leading to a disconnect with their constituents. No Democratization without Representation -------------- ¶6. (C) This disconnect may be symptomatic of the Tibetan parliament's current division of constituencies. The 14th parliament-in-exile has 43 elected members representing the three provincial regions of Tibet, the four major sects of Tibetan Buddhism and Bon, and two exile constituencies in Europe and North America. Urgen Tenzin of the Tibetan Center for Human Rights and Democracy voiced a common complaint that this system does not make MPs accountable to their constituents who are scattered and undefined. Tenzin Chonden, currently the MP representing North America, suggested that the parliament should expand to include two houses with an upper house maintaining the current provincial and sect representation and a lower house representing Tibetan settlements in India and abroad. Urgen Tenzin told Poloff that attendees at the November special meeting widely discussed the proposal. The NPDT and TYC argue that this reorganization would also foster the growth of political parties. Representative of the Dalai Lama in New Delhi, Tempa Tsering, doubts the current system will change in the near future as it favors the religious sects and Tibetans from the Kham and Amdo provinces, who would become the minority in any settlement-based parliament. Wanted: Qualified Kalon... -------------- ¶7. (C) Although the election for the next prime minister-in-exile, the Kalon Tripa, is still two years away, the search for qualified candidates has commenced online. Thubten Samdup, a former MP and current Representative of the Dalai Lama in London, launched the website KalonTripa.org after the enthusiasm and use of technology in President Obama's campaign inspired him. The website established an unofficial pre-nomination process that places greater responsibility on Tibetans through an invitation to nominate candidates, with the requirement that the candidate and 25 other Tibetans support the nomination. Unfortunately, while the site has generated substantial buzz on blogs and in tea houses, no candidates have been nominated. Tempa Tsering, postulated that Tibetans are often too "passive" to step forward and nominate themselves for such a position, as showing ambition is "un-Tibetan." Moreover, in a culture with previous campaigns lasting a matter of weeks and culminating in pamphlet distribution, a two-year campaign may be a stretch. ¶8. (C) The current Kalon Tripa, Professor Samdhong Rinpoche, has also urged Tibetans to begin election preparations and echoed the Dalai Lama's preference for a Kalon Tripa that is "a lay person, young, educated, and if possible a woman." Citing inspiration from President Obama, Tibetan contacts agreed it is time for "Tibet's change," led by a younger, more dynamic Kalon Tripa. Unfortunately, no contacts could identify young rising stars in the community. Several contacts, including the Tibetan Women's Association's Tenzin Dhardon Sharling, suggested the head of the Office of Tibet in Brussels, Kasur Tashi Wangdi would be an excellent candidate. The Tibetan community widely respects Wangdi for his four decades of public service, and trusted human rights contact Ravi Nair described him as "the best informed within the Dalai Lama's inner circle." However, young Tibetans may view his longtime service and insider rank as too status quo. Other possibilities include influential pro-independence activist and CTA critic, Jamyang Norbu, and the politically savvy Deputy Speaker of the Parliament-in-exile, Dolma Gyari. ¶9. (C) The next Kalon Tripa will play a pivotal role in the Tibetan movement during a critical time. During his or her term, the Dalai Lama will celebrate his 80th birthday and NEW DELHI 00000863 003 OF 004 will likely experience further health setbacks. History has demonstrated that the most turbulent times in Tibetan history have occurred after the death of the Dalai Lama. According to Tempa Tsering, when the Dalai Lama dies or is unable to perform his executive duties, a three-person Council of Regency will assume control of the government-in-exile. Tsering clarified that this Council will be led by the Kalon Tripa and include the Speaker of the Parliament-in-exile and the Supreme Justice ommissioner (Note. Observers and CTA officials predict the Dalai Lama will change this system, which has led to speculation about the appointment of the Karmapa as a Regent and other possibilities (Ref B). The Kalon Tripa will undoubtedly still play a crucial role. End Note). Moreover, even though the Dalai Lama is in good health, he has increasingly tried to separate the spiritual and secular aspects of the government-in-exile. Tsering noted that when the Dalai Lama sits besides Samdhong Rinpoche, he remarks "he is my political boss and I am his spiritual boss." Finally, Beijing's leadership will transition when President Hu Jintao's term ends in 2013. Indian Elections: "Dependable" Congress vs. "Vocal" BJP -------------- ¶10. (C) These debates within the Tibetan exile community are taking place in tea houses and monasteries across India, arguably the most vibrant and freewheeling democracy on earth, which is conducting its parliamentary elections from April 16 to May 13 (Ref D). Given how heavily the exile community must lean on its host nation, Tibetans are closely monitoring the campaigns of India's numerous political parties. CTA officials from the Information and Home Departments, commented both national parties -- the Congress Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) -- are "equally good and generous," and overall they expect no change in how a ruling coalition led by either one treats Tibetans. Deputy Speaker Dolma Gyari phrased it more bluntly: "all Indian politicians shift priorities once they attain power and drop Tibet." Tempa Tsering clarified that the each party's style has dictated its relationship with the Tibetan community; Congress has proved a "more dependable friend," while BJP has been more "vocal." Activist Tenzin Tsundue remarked that Tibetans just need a strong and stable Indian government, whether it is led by Congress or the BJP. ¶11. (C) NDPT President Youngdung countered that the BJP would "walk the talk" if it came to power. He criticized Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress Party leader Rahul Gandhi for trying to "placate" China. Hindustan Times reporter Bisht credited the BJP support to the party's close ties to current Kalon Tripa Samdhong Rinpoche, who befriended many BJP stalwarts during his 20 year tenure as Vice Chancellor of the Central University of Tibetan Studies in Varanasi. Bisht noted that the Hindu nationalist organization, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, regularly invites Samdhong Rinpoche and other Tibetans to its meetings and celebrations. Tempa Tsering admits that the CTA has made more friends within the BJP in recent years, but dismissed this saying the BJP has "had more time to meet with us" since its been sitting as an opposition party since its 2004 electoral defeat. He emphasized that all Gandhi family members are "great friends of Tibet" and Tibetans admire Rahul Gandhi's well-deserved success at the grassroots level. Tsering expressed his view that if Mayawati of the regional Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) became Prime Minister, he feared for "the fate of Tibetans...and all of India." Comment: A Distant Determinant -------------- ¶12. (C) While the Kalon Tripa election looms only in the distance, the manner in which the Tibetans handle the campaign and the eventual winner will reveal a great deal about the future of the movement, as the next generation grows into political maturity. While the Dalai Lama may not agree with the pro-independence sentiments of many politically-active young Tibetans, these "young Turks" are seriously tackling his challenge to take responsibility for their own future through difficult -- and peaceful -- democratic reforms. The Kalon Tripa will lead the Tibetan movement through a period of unpredictability not experienced by the Tibetan exile community since 1959. It bodes well that Tibetans are already discussing the next Kalon Tripa, but we will have to reserve judgment until actual contenders emerge. End Comment. NEW DELHI 00000863 004.2 OF 004 BURLEIGH