“Way back on March 10, 1969, I had said that it was time for the Tibetan people to decide whether to continue with the institution of Dalai Lama... In 1992, I was willing to hand over legal authority for certain degrees of freedom in Tibet... Since 2001, I am in a semi-retirement position with all political authority now vested in the government-in-exile... I am now looking forward to complete retirement,” the Dalai Lama said.

He said it was for the Tibetan people to decide on the method for his succession. This included the following: Like the Pope is appointed by the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church on the principles of seniority or a reincarnation being recognised before his death or the traditional manner.

But given the earlier controversy over the succession of the Panchen Lama and Beijing’s recent diktat that makes it mandatory for all reincarnate lamas to be officially recognised by the Chinese government, the Dalai Lama fears Beijing will complicate his succession. “Just like the Panchen Lama succession, the Chinese will also choose an official Dalai Lama... so there will be two Dalai Lamas, one chosen and other official... similar to two Panchen Lamas... But the real Dalai Lama will have a Tibetan heart and my people will not accept the official Dalai Lama,” he said.

Responding to a question that Beijing always believes Tibet was part of China, the Dalai Lama said there was need for legal experts and historians to study the relationship between the Chinese emperor and the Tibetan religious leadership in the past before coming to such a conclusion.

... contd.