18. May 2006
Tibetans hear first live political debate
(VOA) In an exclusive radio broadcast from Dharmsala, India, the Voice of America aired the first live debate in Tibet's history between two candidates vying for the position of prime minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). During the debate, the candidates -Samdhong Rinpoche and Juchen Thupten Namgyal - discussed methods of dealing with China. Both candidates voiced their support for the Dalai Lama's "Middle Way Approach", which seeks genuine autonomy, but not independence, for Tibet. Samdhong Rinpoche Tenzin said: "There is no need to change this policy in the future". The exiled government's election, which is scheduled for 03 June 2006, will be only the second direct election ever held among Tibetans. The first was in 2001, and prime ministers are limited to five-year terms. Approximately one-third of the recorded members of the Tibetan diaspora cast their votes in the 18 March 2006 primary, in which incumbent Prime Minister Samdhong Rinpoche Tenzin secured 82.6 percent of the vote, while former appointed-Prime Minister Namgyal received 6.96 percent.