Does the West still want to free Tibet?

[Big Uncle]

With this piece of news, it looks like even the West is turning away from championing a Free Tibet. So what is next, CTA? How are you guys going to garner the support for your cause without radical change in your policies? The changing times calls for greater social change. It is time to forego religious bans and unite the Tibetan people or risk becoming a forgotten cause...

Does the West still want to free Tibet?
http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/05/07/does_the_west_still_want_to_free_tibet
Posted By Joshua Keating   Monday, May 7, 2012 - 1:09 PM     

Adam Yauch, who passed away last week at the age of 47, will of course be remembered primarily as MCA from the Beastie Boys. But his role as the music industry's primary advocate for Tibetan independence may be a close second:

In addition to his career with the Beastie Boys, Yauch was heavily involved in the movement to free Tibet. A founder of the Milarepa Fund, Yauch was instrumental in the first Tibetan Freedom Concert in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park 1996, which drew 100,000 people – the largest U.S. benefit concert since 1985's Live Aid.

As Slate's David Weigel recalls, the concerts "became punchlines, eventually, but they started as expressly political events intended to sign up new recruits to a human rights cause that the government (then the glorious Clinton-Gingrich cohabitation) didn't want to touch."

Yauch, a practicing Buddhist whose wife was Tibetan, was uniquely committed to that cause. But with his passing, it's hard not to be struck by the degree to which Tibet has faded in prominence among politically committed Americans. With over 30 self-immolations in Tibet over the past year, it's not as if the controversy has gone away.

Pro-Tibet activists are still there, witness the protests during Xi Jinping's recent visit to Washington, including four activists who were arrested after unfurling a banner on the Arlington Memorial Bridge. But since the last U.S. Tibetan Freedom Concert in 1999, the issue hasn't really commanded the Kony 2012-level interest it once garnered from young Americans.

There are probably several reasons for this. The Dalai Lama, the most visible living symbol of Tibet's national aspirations, has been gradually retreating from his political role. As Weigel notes, many of those involved in the Free Tibet movement, including the Beasties, turned their attention to issues closer to home during the Bush administration.

Then there's the increasing allure of China for the entertainment industry. The prize of China's $2-billion-a-year film market has made Hollywood studios a lot less likely to back  projects like Kundun or Seven Years in Tibet. That's true of musicians as well: Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones have been on their best behavior during recent tours of China, possibily for fear of getting the Björk treatment.

I would imagine the MCA's of tomorrow might prefer to attach themselves to global movements that don't risk alienating a billion potential customers.

[michaela]

Dear Big Uncle

Perhaps I could add more perspective about the “west” or anyone interest to free Tibet.  Shortly before Tibet fall to China in 1959, HHDL obtained an opportunity to visit India to attend Buddha Jayanti event, a 2,500 years anniversary of Lord Buddha.  He was invited by Mahabodhi Society of India.  During that trip he met Prime Minister Nehru, who was quite reluctant to help to free Tibet from China or at least play as a comparable power against China in the issue of Tibet.

Lack of International Recognition

One of the biggest issues as to why nobody is really taking arms against China in the issue of Tibet is because Tibetan government has never cared to have their independence rectified by International organization such as the UN.  So, almost no one outside Tibet recognize the independence of Tibet – not even the Great Britain who has put their ambassador in Tibet before Chinese occupation.  I think this is why Tibetan before China has always been referred to as very close and backward.  When I read about this, it seems unthinkable, but this is actually what really happened.

Tibet is poor in terms of natural resources

It is no secret that when a big nation take arms to defend a particular country outside their region, it is usually because that country has huge natural resources that will distract supply and demand, such as oil for example or they are strategically located that if that region is occupied by other nation, it will impose national threat.  A good example of this is when the US take arms to defend Kuwait in 1990 – and guess what Kuwait has plenty of oil reserve.

My point is, the free Tibet cause is not really attractive then, and it is dying now.

I believe the movement like the Beastie Boys although it may have gotten huge attention in their time, did very little to encourage anyone to take action against China in the issue of Tibet.  And as you highlighted in the article above, the movement is dying anyway. 

[Positive Change]

Dear Big Uncle

Perhaps I could add more perspective about the “west” or anyone interest to free Tibet.  Shortly before Tibet fall to China in 1959, HHDL obtained an opportunity to visit India to attend Buddha Jayanti event, a 2,500 years anniversary of Lord Buddha.  He was invited by Mahabodhi Society of India.  During that trip he met Prime Minister Nehru, who was quite reluctant to help to free Tibet from China or at least play as a comparable power against China in the issue of Tibet.

Lack of International Recognition

One of the biggest issues as to why nobody is really taking arms against China in the issue of Tibet is because Tibetan government has never cared to have their independence rectified by International organization such as the UN.  So, almost no one outside Tibet recognize the independence of Tibet – not even the Great Britain who has put their ambassador in Tibet before Chinese occupation.  I think this is why Tibetan before China has always been referred to as very close and backward.  When I read about this, it seems unthinkable, but this is actually what really happened.

Tibet is poor in terms of natural resources

It is no secret that when a big nation take arms to defend a particular country outside their region, it is usually because that country has huge natural resources that will distract supply and demand, such as oil for example or they are strategically located that if that region is occupied by other nation, it will impose national threat.  A good example of this is when the US take arms to defend Kuwait in 1990 – and guess what Kuwait has plenty of oil reserve.

My point is, the free Tibet cause is not really attractive then, and it is dying now.

I believe the movement like the Beastie Boys although it may have gotten huge attention in their time, did very little to encourage anyone to take action against China in the issue of Tibet.  And as you highlighted in the article above, the movement is dying anyway.

Dear Big Uncle and Michaela, do allow me to add to the following. On the contrary, Tibet is actually very rich in natural resources which is why China wants to keep it under her fold. And of course China has always thought of Tibet as under Chinese Sovereignty even before 1959!

Tibet is very attractive for China and most nations, given the chance would pounce on the opportunity. But of course with the eyes of the world on Tibet now, only China being the economic might at the moment has the "balls" to seize the opportunity!

Natural Resources of Tibet

Wild Plants

The Tibet Autonomous Region is richly endowed with plant resources, with more than 5,000 species of higher plants. Medog, Zayu, Lhoyu and Moinyu in south eastern Tibet are like museums of rare plant life. Even in northern Tibet, with its extreme natural conditions, there are more than 100 kinds of plants. Forests, concentrated in the Nyingchi area, still retain their primitive nature. Tree species found in the Northern Hemisphere, from the tropical to cold areas, can be found there.

Medicinal Plants: There are over 1,000 kinds of plants with medicinal properties. They include some 400 kinds commonly used as medicinal herbs, and some 300 kinds used to make Tibetan medicine with special curative effect. Major ones include tuber of elevated gastrodiae, safflower, bulb of fritillary, pseudo-ginseng, rhubarb, root of hairy asiabell, large-leaved gentian, root of red-rooted salvia, glossy ganoderma and reticulate millettia. These medicinal herbs are so high in production that, after satisfying the needs of the Tibetan-inhabited areas, there is still a surplus to be exported to other parts of China. Some are even sold overseas.

Plants With Sugar and Starch Content: In the whole region, there are some 70 kinds of such plants, including over 50 that can be simply or directly processed into raw materials for drugs, textiles, and for making paper and wine.

In addition to the aforementioned wild plant resources, the forests hold many types of fungus. Of the 200-plus fungi are some that are precious medicinal herbs, including glossy ganoderma, Chinese caterpillar fungus, fuling (Poris cocos), and stone-like omphalia. There are also edible fungus including some kinds of mushrooms, Auricularia auricula-judae and tremella. These fungi are nutritious and tasty, and boast anti-cancer elements.

Wild Animals

The Tibet Autonomous Region boasts 118 species of mammals, 473 species of birds, 49 species of reptiles, 44 species of amphibians, 61 species of fish, and more than 2,300 species of insects. Wild animals inhabiting the tropical and sub-tropical broad-leaf forests on the southern slopes of the Himalayas include long-tail leaf monkey, Assamese Macaque, rhesus monkey, muntjac, head-haired deer, wild cattle, red-spotted antelope, serow, leopard, clouded leopard, black bear, wild cat, weasel, raccoon dog and others preferring a warm climate. Wild animals inhabiting coniferous and broad-leaf forests, or coniferous forests in the temperate area include lesser panda, red deer, river deer, white-lipped deer and some other animals that thrive in cold climates.

In forests with an elevation of over 4,000 meters there are Tar sheep. In areas perennially covered by snow, there are snow leopards known as the "highland overlord"and blue sheep good at climbing mountains.

In northern Tibet with high elevation, there are wild yak, Tibetan antelope, wild donkey, blue sheep, argali, Mongolian gazelle, fox, wolf, brown bear, snow leopard and jackal. Of these, the Tibetan antelope, wild yak, wild donkey and argali are unique to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and command high appreciation and economic value. They are subject to protection by the State. The rare white-lipped deer is unique to China and is under first-class State protection.

Minerals

There are more than 70 known mineral types in the Tibet Autonomous Region. Total reserves of 26 of these have been determined, with 12 ranking among the top five in China at a provincial level. They include chromite, with the highest deposits in China. The people's government of the Tibet Autonomous Region is now building up the Norbusa Chromite Mine in southern Tibet.

Of the non-ferrous and rare metals, the prospective lithium deposits in Tibet are among the highest in the world, and the region serves as China's lithium production base. Prospective copper reserves rank second in China.

Of the non-metallic ores, boron boasts the largest reserves. Distributed widely in the autonomous region, it ranks third in China in proven reserves. In addition, magnetite used as supplementary material for the metallurgical industry ranks third in China in proven reserves. Barite and arsenic, coveted by the chemical industry, occupy third and fourth place respectively in China in terms of reserves. Reserves of gypsum and pottery clay, widely used in the building industry, rank second and fifth in China. Muscovite indispensable for the national defense and electronic industries occupy the fourth place in China in reserves.

There is new discovery with regard to the reserves of energy ores. Peat's proven reserves reach more than 8 million tons, ranking fourth in China.

Energy

The Tibet Autonomous Region is poor in coal, oil and natural gas, but rich in hydro-, geothermal, solar and wind energy. Tibet is especially well endowed with hydroelectric energy resources, producing approximately 200 million kw of natural hydro energy annually, or about 30 percent of China's total. About 70 percent of Tibet's hydraulic energy resouces are concentrated in southeastern Tibet. The Yarlung Zangbo River promises 80 million kw in exploitable energy capacity. This, plus the hydroelectric capacity of its five tributaries---the Dogxung Zangbo, Nyang Qu, Lhasa, Ny'ang and Parlung Zangbo Rivers, adds about 90 million kw to the reserves. Experts say a 36-km canal cut through rocks in the area where the Yarlung Zangbo River makes a U-turn would allow water of the Yarlung Zangbo River to flow from Paiqu to Lidongqiao in Medog. A fall of 2,190 meters thus produced could be exploited to build a giant hydraulic power station with an installed generating capacity of 40 million kw, the largest of its kind in China and the world at large.

Investigations have found that Tibet leads China in geothermal energy. More than 100 sites have good geothermal energy reserves, ranking first in China. Of the 169 geothermal fields and hot spring areas already surveyed, 22 percent show a water temperature of 80 degrees Centigrade, with the highest temperature at the hot spring mouth reaching 95.5 degrees Centigrade; most of them approach or exceed the local boiling point. About 26 percent have a water temperature of 60-80 degrees Centigrade; 35 percent, 40-60 degrees Centigrade; and 17 percent, lower than 40 degrees Centigrade. Tibet's geothermal heat discharge adds up to 550,000 kilocalories per second, equivalent to annual heat generation by 2.4 million tons of standard coal. The Yangbajain Geothermal Field in Damxung is currently China's largest high-temperature steam geothermal field, and, moreover, one of the largest geothermal fields in operation in the world today. With a hot water temperature staying at 93-172 degrees Centigrade, the field has a natural heat flow of 110,000 kilocalories per second, equivalent in heat produced annually to about 470,000 tons of standard coal. It is expected to generate 150,000 kw of power a year.

[dsiluvu]

The Chinese is never going to "FREE" Tibet... this because they, China believes that Tibet is part of China and therefore it cannot be freed. Period. So it is going to be a dying campaign this FREE TIBET and especially after His Holiness passes, i think we will hear less and less of it.

Yes what positive change says is True... Tibet's natural resources is seen to be very lucrative in China's eyes especially since China has the ability extract what they require! 

In January of 2007, the Chinese government issued a report outlining the discovery of a large mineral deposit under the Tibetan Plateau. The deposit has an estimated value of $128 billion and may double Chinese reserves of zinc, copper, and lead. China sees this as a way to alleviate the country's dependence on foreign mineral imports necessary for its growing economy. However, critics worry that mining these vast resources will harm Tibet's fragile ecosystem as well take valuable resources away from the Tibetan people!

[Ensapa]

The west wants a 'free' Tibet because it would cause China's instability. If China was unstable, it would benefit the west as it would mean that they have to pay less to get China to manufacture their goods, and it would also bring down China's monopoly of the economy. Thus, the US has been using the Tibetan cause continuously to try to weaken China's grip on things even though it means for the Tibetans to give up their dignity as a country. It's not a huge coincidence that the US is ignoring the disgustingly obvious violation of human rights in the Tibetan community ...they are supporting and promoting Tibet with an agenda.

[Dulzie Bear]

The West wants to free Tibet as much as the people of the world want peace on earth and the eradication of hunger and poverty. It is a genuine wish but no one is going to sacrifice anything in order to make that happen for the Tibetans and that is the cold hard truth.  Over the past fifty or more years, the Dalai Lama has travelled the world over and met with just about every world leader of significance and yet other than paying lip service, none have thought it prudent to risk relations with a rising economic powerhouse. And yet the Dalai Lama has been the most potent driving force behind the Tibetan cause and as His Holiness ages, it is clear that there is a vacuum that cannot be filled as Tibet’s freedom movement starts to wind down like an old engine that has been running without a break for half a century. The high profile that the cause was accorded by Hollywood friends has waned just as Hollywood stars wane over time.

It is easy to shrug our shoulders and say that Tibetan government in exile could not have done anything but then we have to remember that during the fifty years and more that the Tibetans have been in exile, there is another smaller and poorer nation that was annexed by a comparatively strong power and yet managed to gain independence, that is East Timor.

East Timor gained its independence from Portugal in 1975 and was annexed by Indonesia a few days later. Like the Tibetans, East Timor had little with which they could fight for their freedom but they did have one thing which is their spirituality that eventually brought aid and world support to their side. East Timor is a Catholic country that stood against the Islamic nation of Indonesia, just like Tibetans were a Buddhist nation standing in defiance of their annexation by a Communist China. How did East Timor manage to win world support and regained independence in just over two decades when the Tibetans failed even with a popular and high profile Nobel Prize winner as their head?

The difference between East Timor and Tibet is that the East Timorese preserved their strong faith in their religion and that drew patronage and aid from the world spearheaded by the Catholic leaders of the world. In the meantime, the Tibetan government in exile undermined the pillars of their own faith and shockingly conducted religious persecutions via their ban of Dorje Shugden that eclipsed a greater objective. They banned an ancient practice and in so doing split their own nation of people. Imagine if the East Timor leaders decided to ban the worship of a Catholic saint and channeled resources towards that prohibition instead of focusing on the common objective of the people.

While it is unfortunate that Tibetans are no where close to returning to their motherland and regaining their freedom, much blame must be accepted by the Tibetan government (now CTA) who prevailed upon a policy that drove key support away and divided the people. Tibet may have been annexed but it is over fifty years of foolish governing that caused the Tibetans to be conquered.

[brian]

I am not into politics and never good at it, but i feel that if the West really wants to free Tibet it would have been done by now and do not have to wait for over half a decade since the China troops invaded Tibet. It would have been like UN (or US rather) sending its troops to force the independence of Tibet again. Or rather 'easier' way would be doing the economic embargo on China would be a better choice? But then again it is quite impossible if the rest of the world is boycotting China produced goods since it is one of the world's economic power house now. And by looking at China now, i don't feel Tibet will be able to set themselves free.

[Ensapa]

The West wants to free Tibet as much as the people of the world want peace on earth and the eradication of hunger and poverty. It is a genuine wish but no one is going to sacrifice anything in order to make that happen for the Tibetans and that is the cold hard truth.  Over the past fifty or more years, the Dalai Lama has travelled the world over and met with just about every world leader of significance and yet other than paying lip service, none have thought it prudent to risk relations with a rising economic powerhouse. And yet the Dalai Lama has been the most potent driving force behind the Tibetan cause and as His Holiness ages, it is clear that there is a vacuum that cannot be filled as Tibet’s freedom movement starts to wind down like an old engine that has been running without a break for half a century. The high profile that the cause was accorded by Hollywood friends has waned just as Hollywood stars wane over time.

It is easy to shrug our shoulders and say that Tibetan government in exile could not have done anything but then we have to remember that during the fifty years and more that the Tibetans have been in exile, there is another smaller and poorer nation that was annexed by a comparatively strong power and yet managed to gain independence, that is East Timor.

East Timor gained its independence from Portugal in 1975 and was annexed by Indonesia a few days later. Like the Tibetans, East Timor had little with which they could fight for their freedom but they did have one thing which is their spirituality that eventually brought aid and world support to their side. East Timor is a Catholic country that stood against the Islamic nation of Indonesia, just like Tibetans were a Buddhist nation standing in defiance of their annexation by a Communist China. How did East Timor manage to win world support and regained independence in just over two decades when the Tibetans failed even with a popular and high profile Nobel Prize winner as their head?

The difference between East Timor and Tibet is that the East Timorese preserved their strong faith in their religion and that drew patronage and aid from the world spearheaded by the Catholic leaders of the world. In the meantime, the Tibetan government in exile undermined the pillars of their own faith and shockingly conducted religious persecutions via their ban of Dorje Shugden that eclipsed a greater objective. They banned an ancient practice and in so doing split their own nation of people. Imagine if the East Timor leaders decided to ban the worship of a Catholic saint and channeled resources towards that prohibition instead of focusing on the common objective of the people.

While it is unfortunate that Tibetans are no where close to returning to their motherland and regaining their freedom, much blame must be accepted by the Tibetan government (now CTA) who prevailed upon a policy that drove key support away and divided the people. Tibet may have been annexed but it is over fifty years of foolish governing that caused the Tibetans to be conquered.

I beg to differ. The west would not really free any nation without an agenda. they might have done it out of goodwill or perhaps to show the world that they really "care" but they probably did it due to the big brother/white knight complex where they want to appear to be the strongest nation of the world to take care of "oppressed" countries. In Tibet's case, it is very clear that they want to sow discord in China. If Tibet were to gain independence from China, then all of the smaller provinces and countys such as Urumuqi and the rest of the provinces would want independence from China as well, and this would rip China apart. This is the reason why the west explicitly ignores CTA's blatant abuse of human rights and calls it democratic despite CTA being anything but that.

[Big Uncle]

I beg to differ. The west would not really free any nation without an agenda. they might have done it out of goodwill or perhaps to show the world that they really "care" but they probably did it due to the big brother/white knight complex where they want to appear to be the strongest nation of the world to take care of "oppressed" countries. In Tibet's case, it is very clear that they want to sow discord in China. If Tibet were to gain independence from China, then all of the smaller provinces and countys such as Urumuqi and the rest of the provinces would want independence from China as well, and this would rip China apart. This is the reason why the west explicitly ignores CTA's blatant abuse of human rights and calls it democratic despite CTA being anything but that.

You brought up a very interesting point Ensapa. The West has vested interest in supporting the Tibetan cause. I have never thought of it this way but I think you might be right. The West had always regarded China with a lot of suspicion, awe and perhaps jealousy. So, it is not surprising that the Western powers would be supporting the Tibetan cause to further their own agenda. What's the agenda? To destabilize China in whatever way they can since China is too powerful economically and militarily.

There's no other way that the Western Powers can do to affect China. So far, they have been reproaching China on the human rights front and especially on the Tibetan question. Well, it is due to their might, even such attempts had been rendered impotent since they are unable to pressure China in any way. Instead of finding ways to destabilize China, it would be better to get on China's good side and influence them in this manner. In a way, the West were forced to take this approach especially since Europe is facing a series of economic setbacks. Tibet could also take this route in tackling China. It seems the only way out is to be friends with China and look for mutually beneficial opportunities.

[vajratruth]

I am not into politics and never good at it, but i feel that if the West really wants to free Tibet it would have been done by now and do not have to wait for over half a decade since the China troops invaded Tibet. It would have been like UN (or US rather) sending its troops to force the independence of Tibet again. Or rather 'easier' way would be doing the economic embargo on China would be a better choice? But then again it is quite impossible if the rest of the world is boycotting China produced goods since it is one of the world's economic power house now. And by looking at China now, i don't feel Tibet will be able to set themselves free.

Brian is right. China has not always been as strong as it is today and even in the 1980s when the country was only beginning to get back on its feet after the Mao era, the West did not push that hard for Tibet's freedom. Also when the 2008 Summer Olympics was awarded to Beijing to host, it was clear than "punishing" China was out of the question entirely and that the Tibet issue was not of prime importance to the powers of the world. With the lighting of the Olympic torch in Beijing, China closed its chapter as the sick man of Asia forever and became formally acknowledged by the West as a nation they would prefer to be friends with.

That was then and China has established even deeper ties with the West as it becomes an integral component of the global economic revitalisation process after so many near-fatal financial melt-downs around the world. The Tibetan issue has become a lost cause to many Western governments. In addition, the Chinese government isn't standing still either and much effort have been made to win the hearts of Tibetans in the TAR. For the Tibetans who hold religion as  critically important, China has relaxed its policy on the practice of religion and is even actively supporting the growth of Buddhism. For the rest of the Tibetans, China has also been clever in preserving the Tibetan culture and provide for better employment opportunities and living standards. More and more we hear accounts from Tibetans that conditions in Dharamsala is worse than that in the TAR.

[beggar]

This article might shed more light on how the West are going further and further away from wanting to be involved with the Tibetan cause:

So what if Britain didn't want to meet the Dalai Lama?
http://www.dorjeshugden.com/all-articles/the-controversy/so-what-if-britain-didnt-want-to-meet-the-dalai-lama/

In the article, this must be taken note of: "This financial giant were in talks to offer £27 billion to a fund which would be used by the International Monetary Fund to bail out failing Eurozone economies."

Unfortunately, it is Money - not Love - that makes the world go round. While much of the West - such as all of Europe - are barely trying to make ends meet, it's hardly unlikely that they are going to want to back up someone who will inadvertently end up cutting off their only financial support. This is beyond a matter of principle, ethics or sadly, even human rights. For many countries in the west - who by the way, are NOT religious, so we cannot impose our Dharmic expectations on them to reciprocate with help and assistance - the most important thing to consider is how to make their nations financially viable, sustainable and powerful in the world. This directly and indirectly affects everything else in their countries - welfare, political standing, creating confidence in their people, peace of the nation. So while the sufferings of the Tibetans may well be something of concern, the potential sufferings of their own people are of greater concern. A mother would naturally look after her own children first before going out to rescue other orphans.

This sums it up well "Not meeting the Dalai Lama* – no matter how peace-loving and wonderful he is – is a small trade-off for what could potentially save a disastrous situation for their entire nation."

The West aren't about to cut off their noses to spite their faces.

* this article talks specifically about the fuss kicked up when the British turned down a request to meet with the Dalai Lama, most probably for fear of upsetting the Chinese.

[Ensapa]

I beg to differ. The west would not really free any nation without an agenda. they might have done it out of goodwill or perhaps to show the world that they really "care" but they probably did it due to the big brother/white knight complex where they want to appear to be the strongest nation of the world to take care of "oppressed" countries. In Tibet's case, it is very clear that they want to sow discord in China. If Tibet were to gain independence from China, then all of the smaller provinces and countys such as Urumuqi and the rest of the provinces would want independence from China as well, and this would rip China apart. This is the reason why the west explicitly ignores CTA's blatant abuse of human rights and calls it democratic despite CTA being anything but that.

You brought up a very interesting point Ensapa. The West has vested interest in supporting the Tibetan cause. I have never thought of it this way but I think you might be right. The West had always regarded China with a lot of suspicion, awe and perhaps jealousy. So, it is not surprising that the Western powers would be supporting the Tibetan cause to further their own agenda. What's the agenda? To destabilize China in whatever way they can since China is too powerful economically and militarily.

There's no other way that the Western Powers can do to affect China. So far, they have been reproaching China on the human rights front and especially on the Tibetan question. Well, it is due to their might, even such attempts had been rendered impotent since they are unable to pressure China in any way. Instead of finding ways to destabilize China, it would be better to get on China's good side and influence them in this manner. In a way, the West were forced to take this approach especially since Europe is facing a series of economic setbacks. Tibet could also take this route in tackling China. It seems the only way out is to be friends with China and look for mutually beneficial opportunities.

If the west could destabilize China on their own, they would have done it long ago and they wouldnt have gave 2 hoots about Tibet. Tibet would mean nothing to them. But after all the pageantry and pomp about Tibet and freeing it, nothing any of these nations can really do to free Tibet except have some rallies here and there, organize some runs, invite the Dalai Lama for some publicity (well, because he's a religious celebrity that's more accessible than the pope and more humble too) I mean, do you really think all these nations invite the Dalai Lama to their country out of spiritual reasons or goodwill? no. They have an agenda and its to boost their image. It also means that they have an agenda with Tibet also. It's not too hard to see.

[Gabby Potter]

Personally, I do not think that the West has the rights in this matter because technically Tibet is not a country of theirs, it's under Chinese rule. In my opinion, if the CTAs were to continue with what they are doing now, there's no way they can rule Tibet. I mean look at their reputations and all the ugly things and violence they are causing now, how can a leader like that leads it's country? This is just a piece of my opinion of course, I wrote this with no intention of hurting or offending anyone.

[Dondrup Shugden]

Historically the "West" never frees any countries but in the 20th century had given independence to many colonised nations due to the demand of the national great heroes who fought for independence.

As such except for publicity by certain individuals or small groups, nothing great was done to support CTA's quest for Tibet.

In CTA's mind not to seek recognition as a legal entity on the world stage is to give the illusion that they are still in control of Tibet and they are in exile because of bullying tactics of China.  It is like "Tibet is still mine and giving the illusion that one day they return".  Delusional that is way nothing is done by CTA to gain legal support from other nations.

[fruven]

Historically the "West" never frees any countries but in the 20th century had given independence to many colonised nations due to the demand of the national great heroes who fought for independence.

As such except for publicity by certain individuals or small groups, nothing great was done to support CTA's quest for Tibet.

In CTA's mind not to seek recognition as a legal entity on the world stage is to give the illusion that they are still in control of Tibet and they are in exile because of bullying tactics of China.  It is like "Tibet is still mine and giving the illusion that one day they return".  Delusional that is way nothing is done by CTA to gain legal support from other nations.

I think sooner people will get fed up with the poor me attitude. Other nations have moved on by growing economically for the well being of their people. CTA is just prolonging their power and control over the Tibetans. How long do Tibetans need to wait for a conclusion? Does the Tibetans understand what their leadership is really doing?