Asiaweek.com | 'Nothing Will Change'

OCTOBER 20, 2000 VOL. 26 NO. 41 | SEARCH ASIAWEEK

'Nothing Will Change'
An insider looks back — and ahead

ALSO:
• Struggle for Tibet's Soul: As Tibetan exiles battle for power, Beijing seeks greater control over their homeland
• Interview: What the Dalai Lama sees in Tibet's future
• Reincarnation: The politics of Buddhism's central mystery

In 1951 Lhasa appointed a Tibetan provincial governor, Ngabo Ngawang Jigme, to negotiate a peace with Beijing. He was depicted in Hollywood's Seven Years in Tibet as a traitor to Tibet, though arguably he was a minor official with little choice but to cooperate. Ngabo and four other delegates signed a 17-Point Agreement, giving control of Tibet to Beijing. The deal guaranteed governance by Lhasa and freedom of religion (the latter revoked after the Dalai Lama fled). Ngabo then became the first governor of Tibet. In a rare interview in Beijing, Ngabo, 80, defends his role to Asiaweek's David Hsieh. Excerpts:

What is Beijing's position on the flight of the Karmapa Lama?
Karmapa left a letter stating that he was going to retrieve his black hat and some religious relics. He did not betray the people and the nation, and he doesn't oppose the central government. He has a way [to return] back home.

There is confusion over the 11th Panchen Lama. Beijing and the Dalai Lama have appointed their own boys. What is your assessment?
After the passing of the 10th Panchen Lama in 1989, we had to search for his reincarnated child according to practice. Finally, two or three children were selected as candidates. I suggested to Beijing that we should ask for [the Dalai Lama's] opinion. My suggestion was taken up. [But then] the Dalai personally selected him. The Dalai only has the right to convene the process and not to designate and install a Panchen Lama himself.

What does Beijing hope to achieve by appointing the Panchen Lama?
Foreigners may see things this way: that the Dalai is abroad and we've got a child to confront his. This is baseless. If there wasn't a child, there wouldn't be a Panchen.

The 17-Point Agreement provides the grounding for the current legal status of Tibet. Looking back, how do you view those negotiations?
There were five conditions, among which was our recognition of Tibet as part of Chinese territory. The most resolute condition was that [Lhasa] absolutely would not allow Chinese troops to enter. These two points were contradictory. But the delegation still raised [objections] to the Chinese. When we signed, there were some discrepancies between certain clauses and what the Dalai Lama had instructed. At the time, the Dalai was in Dongya. If he hadn't been satisfied with the agreement, he most likely would have left the country.

What will happen to Tibet when the Dalai Lama dies?
Nothing will change. Without a Dalai for 40 years, we've done quite well.

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