dogu-turkistan-sempozyumu

FREEEAST TURKISTAN SYMPOSIUMHoliness and their attempts to label him as a separatist. Instead, the Chineseleadership should work with His Holiness the Dalai Lama to find a mutuallyacceptable solution to the Tibetan problem. This will ensure stability, unity andthe development of a harmonious society.Autonomy for TibetThroughout history conflict between different nationalities within a state hasalways been a source of tension for humanity. In order to maintain a harmonioussociety, there must be a certain degree of internal freedom, particularly forminority nationalities, to enable them to preserve, promote and practice their ownethnicity, language, religion and cultural identities without having to assimilatewith the dominant group.This system has proven a great success in various states where different kindsof autonomy are being practiced. The autonomous provinces of Italy and Spainare among the best examples.In today’s geopolitics, nations are becoming increasingly interdependent.The material development and resources of Tibet, a landlocked nation, are largelydependent on its neighbors. Therefore, economically it would be more beneficialto remain as a part of a larger nation.Above all else, the six million people of Tibet, who share a common cultureand language, have an indomitable desire to remain united.As early as 1974, internal discussions have been held to find ways to resolvethe future status of Tibet through an autonomous arrangement, instead of seekingindependence. In 1979 the Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping expressed willingnessto discuss and resolve all issues except the independence of Tibet. Since thenHis Holiness the Dalai Lama has taken numerous initiatives to bring about amutually acceptable negotiated solution to the question of Tibet. In doing so, HisHoliness the Dalai Lama has steadfastly followed the Middle-Way Approach,which is the pursuit of a mutually acceptable and mutually beneficial solutionthrough negotiations, in the spirit of reconciliation and compromise. The Five-Point Peace Plan and the Strasbourg Proposal were presented in this spirit. Dueto the failure to elicit any positive response from the Chinese central government376