According to a recent article in the New York Times, "the Dalai lama has called for hundreds of Tibetans to gather in the Himalayan town of Dharamsala. . . to help decide on a new strategy for Tibet."The article reports on recent comments, made by the Dalai Lama, that the non-violent approach for autonomy has failed and that there is mounting interest in a new strategy amongst a younger generation of Tibetans who have "long agitated for a more radical approach and who have demanded independence."
Paraphrasing comments made by Columbia's own Robbie Barnett, the article says that he believes the meeting in Dharamsala appears "to be a forum in which the Dalai Lama would allow his more radical and frustrated compatriots to air their opinions but in which, working through his advisors, he would also try to consolidate support for a moderate, nonviolent approach."
Tsering Shakya (University of British Columbia) is quoted as saying that the breakdown in talks between Beijing and the Dalai Lama is a "major disaster" and a "no-win situation for the Tibetans and China.”
