Dalai Lama to cede political power in Tibet's government of exiles

THE Dalai Lama yesterday announced that he would give up his political role in the Tibetan government-in-exile and shift that power to an elected representative, as the 76-year-old Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader struggles with growing worries about who will succeed him when he dies.

Speaking on the anniversary of the failed 1959 uprising against Chinese rule in his Himalayan homeland that sent him into exile, the Dalai Lama said the time had come "to devolve my formal authority to the elected leader".

While he has long said he wanted the exile government to take on some of his powers, the announcement appeared to mark the beginning of a countdown.

The Dalai Lama said he would propose amendments to the exile constitution during the parliament's next session, which begins on 14 March in this Indian hill town where the exiles are based.

A new prime minister will be elected a few days later, and the timing indicates the Dalai Lama may want that premier to take up his political duties.

Any Tibetan who has registered with the government-in-exile is allowed to cast a ballot; most of the electorate is made up of exiles.

The Dalai Lama is believed to be in fairly good health, but China's rule over Tibet has made the succession question all important within the Tibetan community.

Beijing vilifies the Dalai Lama as a political schemer, has negotiated only fleetingly with his representatives and made clear that it intends to have the final say in naming his successor when he dies. Yesterday's announcement was met with derision in Beijing.

Talks of retirement "are his tricks to deceive the international community," said Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu, who called the Dalai Lama "a political exile under a religious cloak now engaged in activities aimed at splitting China".

In Dharmsala, the Dalai Lama said he had been repeatedly urged by followers to retain his political powers, which range from approving legislation to giving oaths of office, but said the community needed a leader "elected freely by the Tibetan people".

The shift in power will "benefit Tibetans in the long run. It is not because I feel disheartened," he said.

However, the Dalai Lama's power and influence go far beyond the exile constitution, and it was not clear what change amendments would bring.

Despite more than a half-century in exile, the Dalai Lama is still revered by most Tibetans as their traditional king and spiritual leader.He has indicated his successor would come from the exile community.

Beijing, though, insists the reincarnation must be found in China's Tibetan areas, giving the Communist authorities immense power over who is chosen.

Many observers believe there eventually will be rival Dalai Lamas - one appointed by Beijing, and one by senior monks loyal to the current Dalai Lama.