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The Shadow of the Dalai Lama – Part II – 16. Tactics, Strategies, Forgeries, Illusions
© Victor & Victoria Trimondi
16. TACTICS, STRATEGIES,
FORGERIES, ILLUSIONS
From a western point of view, religion and politics have been neatly and cleanly separated from one
another since the modern era (18 th century). In this sense a clear distinction is drawn here between the
spread of Tantric Buddhism and the question of Tibet’s international legal status. However, for an
ancient culture like the Tibetan one, such a division is just not possible. In it, all levels — the mystic,
the mythic, the symbolic, and the ritual — are addressed by every political event. From a Tibetan
viewpoint it is thus completely logical that the liberation of the Land of Snows from the claws of the
Chinese dragon be blown up into an exemplary deed that should benefit the whole planet. “To save
Tibet means to save the world!” is a widespread slogan, even among committed Westerners.
Just like the teachings of the Buddha, the political issue of Tibet at first evoked little resonance among
the western public. Those who broached the topic of the fate of the Tibetan people in American and
European governmental circles generally encountered rejection and disinterest. But this dismissive
stance changed in the mid-eighties. With increasing frequency, His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai
Lama was officially received by western heads of state who had previously refused to be in public
contact with him for fear of Chinese protests.
The “Tibet Lobby”
Since 1985 the so-called Tibet lobby has been at work in numerous countries. This is a cross-party
collection of parliamentary representatives who in their respective parliaments advocate a Tibet
resolution that morally condemns China for its constant human rights abuses and “cultural genocide”.
A recognition of Tibet as an autonomous state is not linked to such resolutions. At the Tibet Support
Groups Conference in Bonn (in 1996), Tim Nunn from England gave a paper on the methods (the
upaya) of successful lobbying: well-groomed appearance, diplomatic language, proper dress, skilled
presentation, and the like. Mr. Nunn was able to point to successes — 131 members of the British
Lower House had engaged themselves for the cause of the Land of Snows in London (Friedrich-
Naumann-Stiftung, 1996, pp. 77ff.).
In the USA the lawyer Michael van Walt van Praag has successfully argued the interests of the
Tibetan government in exile to both Senators and Congressmen. He succeeded in getting a resolution
on Tibet passed in the U.S. Senate. One of his greatest political successes was when in 1991 the
Kundun was permitted to take his place in the rotunda and address the American House of Congress.
Afterwards he met with President George Bush. Bush signed an official document in which Tibet was
described as am “occupied country”. Since 1990 The Voice of America has begun broadcasting
programs in Tibetan. A new broadcaster, Free Asia, which also has a Tibet department, has recently
been approved by Congress. As of 1997, the State Department appointed a “special representative for
Tibet” who is supposed to have the task of negotiating between the Kundun and China.