Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama's two special envoys, in talks with Beijing since 2002, have resigned citing the "deteriorating" situation in Tibet and frustration over lack of positive response from Chinese side to the dialogue process.
The resignation of Lodi G Gyari and Envoy Kelsang Gyaltsen, who have held nine rounds of talks with the Chinese side as part of the dialogue process which has remained stalled for over two years, has been accepted by Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government-in-exile Lobsang Sangay, a spokesperson of the Tibetan 'cabinet' said today.
"Given the deteriorating situation inside Tibet since 2008 leading to increasing cases of self-immolations by Tibetans, we are compelled to submit our resignations," the envoys said in their letter.
The last meeting with the Chinese side took place more than two years ago in January 2010.
"One of the key Chinese interlocutors in the dialogue process even advocated abrogation of minority status as stipulated in the Chinese Constitution, thereby seeming to remove the basis of autonomy. At this particular time, it is difficult to have substantive dialogue," the letter said.
The Tibetan government in exile, meanwhile, urged Beijing to accept the Middle-Way Approach, which seeks genuine autonomy for Tibetans within the People's Republic of China and within the framework of the Chinese constitution, and said it "is ready to engage in meaningful dialogue anywhere and at anytime".
China has been accusing the Dalai Lama of trying to split Tibet from the country. In their latest spat, the Tibetan spiritual leader had alleged that Chinese agents may try to eliminate him, a charge denied by Beijing.
"This is a win-win proposition, which contributes to PRC's unity, stability, harmony and its peaceful rise in the world," a statement by the Tibetan government said.
It said the Tibetan Task Force on Negotiations, of which the envoys will remain a part, will be expanded and will meet again in December 2012 to discuss the Chinese leadership's transition with the hope of continuing the dialogue with new Chinese leaders to resolve the issue of Tibet peacefully.
The Tibetan leadership remains firmly committed to non-violence and the Middle-Way Approach, and strongly believes that the only way to resolve the issue of Tibet is through dialogue, it said.
Praising the role of the envoys, Sangauy said, "They have worked extremely hard in challenging circumstances and made earnest efforts to move the dialogue process forward and resolve the issue of Tibet peacefully".
"Their contributions during their decade-long leadership of the Tibetan negotiating team have been invaluable. The government will continue to rely on them for their wise counsel. They will remain as senior members of the Task Force team," he said.
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