Written by Josephine Ma - Published by South China Morning Post on 06/06/2008

The Tibetan government-in-exile has issued a document to clarify that the Dalai Lama supports the Olympics, is not seeking in dependence, and follows the principle of non-violence.

The move was seen as an attempt to ease Beijing's suspicions ahead of the next round of talks between the two sides.

It is understood that the five-page document – a compilation of past statement by the Dalai Lama on the three issues that most concern the central government – is to be hand-delivered to state leaders, possibly including President Hu Jintao.

The document was issued on Wednesday after a prayer ceremony for the earthquake victims offered by the Dalai Lama and attended by the entire exiled government in Dharamsala.

The prime minister of the government-in-exile, Samdong Rinpoche, signed the document.

The document, printed on the letterhead of the exile government, is one of a series of goodwill gestures made by the Dalai Lama.

The selection of statements in the document was clearly aimed at allaying the worries of Beijing and reassuring mainland leaders that the Dalai Lama had been consistent and sincere in his support for the Beijing Olympics, his desire for autonomy under the framework of the People’s Republic of China, and his opposition to violence.

Two of the five pages contain statements made by the Dalai Lama in support of the Olympics, including a statement on April 6, when he said: “I feel the Tibetans should not cause any hindrance to the Games.

“It will be futile and not helpful to anyone if we do something that will create hatred in the minds of the Chinese people.”

Pages three and four contain excerpts of statements to show Beijing that the Dalai Lama does not want independence, including an oft-cited statement he made in March 2005.

At that time he said: “I once again want to reassure the Chinese authorities that as long as I am responsible for the affairs of Tibet, we remain fully committed to the Middle Way Approach of not seeking independence for Tibet, and are willing to remain within the PRC.”

Addressing the subject of non-violence, the document includes excerpts from four statements the Dalai Lama made after the March 14 riots calling for Tibetans not to resort to violence.

Lawrence Brahm, a writer who attended the prayer ceremony on Wednesday, said the document sought to remove confusion and ease the worries of Beijing.

“Beijng keeps saying he trying to disrupt the Olympics and they said he has been trying to use violence… So once and for all to stop the confusion, this document has been issued,” he said.

On Wednesday, au aide to the Dalai Lama said a seventh round of talks between the two sides, scheduled for next Wednesday, had been postponed as the mainland focused on earthquake relief efforts.

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