The Dalai Lama has been successful in gaining Western sympathy for Tibetan self-determination, including vocal support from numerous Hollywood celebrities, most notably the actors Richard Gere and Steven Seagal, as well as lawmakers from several major countries.[33]
In October 1998, the Dalai Lama's administration acknowledged that it received US$1.7 million a year in the 1960s from the U.S. Government through the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and had also trained a resistance movement in Colorado, (USA).[34][35][36][37]
The Dalai Lama has on occasion been denounced by the Chinese government as a supporter of Tibetan independence. Over time, he has developed a public position stating that he is not in favour of Tibetan independence[38] and would not object to a status in which Tibet has internal autonomy while the PRC manages some aspects of Tibet's defence and foreign affairs.[39] In his 'Middle Way Approach', he laid down that the Chinese government can take care of foreign affairs and defence, and that Tibet should be managed by an elected body.[40]
On 18 April 2005, TIME Magazine placed the Dalai Lama on its list of the world's 100 most influential people.[41]
On 22 June 2006, the Parliament of Canada voted unanimously to make The Dalai Lama an honorary citizen of Canada.[42][43] This marks the third of four times in history that the Government of Canada has bestowed this honour, the others being Raoul Wallenberg posthumously in 1985, Nelson Mandela in 2001 and Aung San Suu Kyi in 2007.
In September 2006, the United States Congress voted to award the Dalai Lama the Congressional Gold Medal,[44] the highest award which may be bestowed by the Legislative Branch of the United States government. The actual ceremony and awarding of the medal took place on 17 October 2007. The Chinese Government has reacted angrily to the award, which it merely refers to as "the extremely wrong arrangements." Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said: "It seriously violates the norm of international relations and seriously wounded the feelings of the Chinese people and interfered with China's internal affairs."[45]
In June 2007, the Dalai Lama made an Australian tour, delivering public talks in Perth, Bendigo, Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Canberra and Brisbane.
Despite protest from China, German Chancellor Angela Merkel met with the Dalai Lama in the Berlin Chancellery on 25 September 2007. The meeting was characterized as "private and informal talks" in order to avert potential retaliation by China such as the severance of trade ties. In response to the meeting, China canceled meetings with German officials including Justice Minister Brigitte Zypries.[46]
In May 2007, Chhime Rigzing, a senior spokesman for the Tibetan spiritual leader's office, stated that the Dalai Lama wants to reduce his political burden as he moves into "retirement".[47]
Rigzing stated "The political leadership will be transferred over a period of time but he will inevitably continue to be the spiritual leader because as the Dalai Lama, the issue of relinquishing the post does not arise."
The Dalai Lama announced he would like the elected Tibetan parliament-in-exile to have more responsibility over administration.
On 1 September 2007, China issued new rules controlling the selection of the next Dalai Lama which will virtually prevent his followers from choosing his reincarnation, since any reincarnation must bear the seal of approval by China's cabinet. These regulations could potentially result in one Dalai Lama approved by the Chinese government, and another chosen outside of Tibet.[48] This would be similar to the present situation with the Panchen Lamas and Karmapas. In November 2007, Tashi Wangdi, said the new rules mean nothing. "It will have no effect" said Wangdi. You can't impose a Pope. You can't impose an imam, an archbishop, saints, any religion… you can't politically impose these things on people. It has to be a decision of the followers of that tradition. The Chinese can use their political power: force. Again, it's meaningless."[49]
During the 2008 unrest in Tibet, Gyatso called for calm[50] and concurrently condemned Chinese violence[51]. His call was met with Tibetan frustration at his methodology[52] and goals[53] and Chinese allegations that he himself incited the violence[54] in order to ruin the 2008 Summer Olympics[55]. In response to the continued violence perpetrated by Chinese as well as Tibetans[56], on 2008-03-18, Gyatso threatened to step down[57], a move unprecedented in the history of the office of the Dalai Lama[58]. Aides later clarified that this threat was predicated on a further escalation of violence, and that he did not presently have the intention of leaving his political or spiritual offices[59]. Many Tibetans expressed their support for the Dalai Lama, and the People's Republic of China intensified their propaganda campaign against him. [60]
Should they have stood back and allowed all 'foreigners' in Tibet to be massacred?
Or am I not allowed to disagree with the OP?
