Dalai Lama says referendum will decide new leadership system in Tibet

Описание: (27 Nov 2007)
1. Wide of international meeting of religious leaders
2. Mid of Dalai Lama sitting with Sikh religious leaders
3. Religious leaders at conference
4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Tenzin Gyatso, the Dalai Lama:
"Oh yes, yes, referendum, yes possible.
(Question : When might that be?)
"When my physical (showing his arm) become weak and serious preparations for death. Then that should happen."
5. Dalai Lama walking with another religious leader
6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Tenzin Gyatso, the Dalai Lama:
"If I die today I think some setback for the Tibetan people struggle, that will happen. But eventually this is national struggle, one ancient nation with rich cultural heritage. Therefore you see Tibetan spirit will not go away with my death. That's certain."
7. Wide of Dalai Lama sitting with other religious leaders
8. Close of Dalai Lama's hands and feet
9. SOUNDBITE: (English) Tenzin Gyatso, the Dalai Lama:
"So, I personally am fully committed about democracy. Therefore logically I have full sort of support, full sympathy about these demonstrators (in Myanmar). And then, then secondly those monks even the colour the robe, quite similar with ours. And when I saw some picture, you see beating some of these monks, I immediately, reminds me inside Tibet, in Tibet in our own case."
10. Wide of (Sikh) Golden Temple
STORYLINE:
The Dalai Lama said on Tuesday the Tibetan people could hold a referendum before he dies to decide whether a new system of leadership is needed for the Himalayan people.
Just what form the referendum will take was not immediately clear, but he proposed what could be a major change in the centuries-old system to choose the spiritual and political head of the Tibetans.
"When my physical condition becomes weak, then serious preparations (for the referendum) should happen," he told reporters during a gathering of religious leaders from around the world in the north Indian city of Amritsar.
The Dalai Lama said the vote would be held among all traditional Tibetan Buddhists along the Himalayan range and into Mongolia.
For centuries, the search for the reincarnation of religious leaders, known as lamas - including the Dalai Lama, Tibet's spiritual head - has been carried out by Tibetan monks following the leaders' death.
But a recent order by China that Beijing must approve all lama appointments has led to concerns that the central government may forcibly select a pro-Beijing leader on the death of the current popular Dalai Lama, who is 72.
China has ruled Tibet since its Communist-led forces invaded in 1951, and it has accused the Buddhist monk of defying its sovereignty by pushing for Tibetan independence.
Answering a question about the pro-democracy protests led by monks in Myanmar, the Dalai Lama said he had full sympathy for the demonstrators.
"When I saw some picture, you see beating some of these monks, I immediately, reminds me inside Tibet, in Tibet in our own case," he said.

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