freedom; restoration of Tibet's natural environment including not using Tibet for the production of nuclear weapons and the dumping of nuclear waste; and negotiations on the future status of Tibet and Sino-Tibetan relations. The Strasbourg proposal, put to the European Parliament on 15 June 1988, was an expansion of the five point peace plan. It presented a possible framework for a future Tibet, which was not acceptable to the Chinese because it referred to Tibet's independent status. The Dalai Lama has recently withdrawn this proposal.
The Chinese have offered to talk to the Dalai Lama about Tibet, but set certain conditions. The Dalai Lama responded positively to the principle of talks, but was not happy with some of the conditions. (The Chinese authorities indicated that the Dalai Lama's team should be made up of Tibetans and should not include his foreign lawyer. They have said they are prepared to discuss anything but independence for Tibet). The impasse has yet to be broken.
Far Eastern Department
26 November 1991
GV4AGZ/5