Tibet Times Editor, Gendun Rabsal
ITIM: What is the purpose of Tibet Times?
RABSAL: Mainly we try to communicate both inside and outside Tibet. Also, exchanging ideas between the Tibetan Government In-Exile and the Tibetan community. We always try to get news from inside Tibet by interviewing the newcomers to get information about what is happening in Tibet. Second we try to find news about what is happening in exile. For example, the last few years the exile community was discussing the referendum. At that time, we went to the Tibetan scholars and asked them what they thought of the referendum.
ITIM: When did the newspaper start?
RABSAL: Actually, before Tibet Times there was one newspaper called Mang-tso. Mang-tso closed in March, 1996. After that many people felt sad, so some of us met in Delhi in April, 1996 to discuss a new newspaper. We decided to print Tibet Times and started in September. At that time, we printed every 15 days. In April, 1997 we met His Holiness and He was very impressed with the paper. We told Him that we wanted to make this paper a weekly, but we have financial problems. He said that we should do it and the financial problem will be solved. In July, 1997 we started printing every ten days.
ITIM: Is your paper going into Tibet?
RABSAL: I hope so. Some friends in Nepal always try to send papers with businessmen who are crossing the border. Also the Chinese Ambassador in Delhi has written to us for a subscription, so I'm sure that other Chinese leaders have seen it.
ITIM: Some criticism we've heard about Tibet Times is that it doesn't take a strong enough stand or that it is not controversial enough.
RABSAL: I accept this criticism. There have been other very strong newspapers in the exile community, but now they are closed or nearly closed. The strong ones always close, so we are thinking that an independent newspaper may be strong, but we have to think how we can keep going. We try to be balanced. Also, I feel that if people are criticizing then they are taking an interest in the paper and that is good.
ITIM: Tibet Times has done other things besides print a newspaper. Hasn't it also published books?
RABSAL: We have printed three books because we thought that Tibetan people need this education. One is a speech by Professor Samdhong Rinpoche about the present situation of Tibet and the future. Second we printed a book about the Middle Path because His Holiness and the Tibetan government want to talk with Chinese government through Middle Path. The third is called A Lamp Shining Upon Us. This is collected poems for Thupten Ngodup.
ITIM: Right now Tibet Times is only printed in Tibetan. Any plans to have an English version of the newspaper?
RABSAL: Of course we want to do it. Right now our readers are mostly the monks and the older people. The new generation born in India doesn't read much Tibetan, so we do need an English version, but our problem is financial.
ITIM: What kind of effect do you think the hunger strike has had on the Tibetan community?
RABSAL: We have to do it again. I feel the last few years of this century are very important and His Holiness' age is around sixty, so we have no time to wait. In Tibet most of the Tibetans are hoping for His Holiness to help them. After He is gone they will be hopeless. The Chinese influence is very strong in Tibet. Now it is very important to do something for our country. It is my thought that the members of parliament and the Minister of Kashag should not stay in the office. They should lead the Tibetans into Tibet by peace march, by hunger strike, by non-violent action or whatever action. Then the international community will really see what is happening and maybe then there will be some movement. Now there is no movement.
ITIM: So, you think the hunger strike didn't do enough?
RABSAL: Right. One thing is that the TGIE and the Tibetan people are saying that we are trying to get Tibet free, autonomous or whatever through non-violence like Gandhi. However, Gandhi, he went to the court, he went to the peace march, he did the hunger strike. What MP has done this? Our leadership should do something.
ITIM: What do you expect from Clinton's visit to China?
RABSAL: I don't expect anything from Clinton. He wants to do business with China. Of course, he might raise the Tibetan issue with President Zemin and say that Jiang should talk with The Dalai Lama, but the question is: are the Chinese going to obey Clinton or not?
ITIM: What do you think?
RABSAL: No. The Chinese always think their own way. I think we (Tibetans) have to do it. If we do something then the Chinese will talk.
ITIM: Many Chinese look at our website. Do you have anything you'd like to tell them?
RABSAL: The Tibetans and the Chinese, we are good neighboring countries. Two different nations, people and culture, so we should live as good neighbors. If we try to live in the same country, always we will be fighting-I'm Tibetan and you are Chinese, like that. Also, the Chinese should try to get more freedom and democracy from their government.
For detailed description of Tibet Times and the paper's future plans: click here.
The Tibet Times is an independent newspaper serving the Tibetan community. As such, the paper relies on subscriptions and donations in order to keep the presses rolling. To subsribe, contact Tibet Times at:
The Tibet Times (Bod-kyi-Dus-Bab)Gedun Rabsal, Editor/Director
Session Road
Dharamsala 176215
Disst Kangra, HP, India
tibettimes@tcrclinux.tibdsala.org.in
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