Rev. Danny Fisher

Via Phil Ryan at the Tricycle Editors’ Blog: In his blog On the Ground for the New York Times, Nicholas Kristof writes about the Chinese response thus far to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s most recent concession, specifically the acceptance of Chinese Communist Party rule in Tibet as part of any future agreement. Initial reactions, as he says, are not especially “encouraging.” This is lamentable and also kind of illogical when one considers how enormously this concession helps the Chinese. Kristof writes:

After the Dalai Lama dies, I expect that many Tibetans will turn to violence, even terrorism, and the crackdowns that follow will further erode Chinese legitimacy. What the Dalai Lama has to offer China is precisely international legitimacy for its rule over Tibet and the acquiescence of ordinary Tibetans to Chinese rule, so that the country can get on with economic development.