NEW YORK, March 18, 2004—He is now 76 years old, 37 of which he served in jail for his abiding belief in the Tibetan people's right to independence from China.

Having met His Holiness the Dalai Lama after his release from prison, he now understands why his most revered leader is seeking only autonomy, rather than independence, for his homeland. But he is not willing to change his own political stance, he said.

Speaking to the Voice of Tibet, an Oslo-based Tibetan-language broadcast service, Takna Jigme Sangpo said he could not bring himself to change his mind about Tibetan independence, not because he had spent 37 years in prison, but because "Tibet's struggle is based on truth and justice".

It was only after his arrival in exile that Takna heard about His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Middle Way approach for resolving the issue of Tibet. "I realized His Holiness' solution to Tibet's problem is to achieve genuine autonomy for the three traditional provinces of Tibet, whereby Tibetans will have freedom to pursue economic development and promote their identity and culture within the overall framework of the People's Republic of China."

As a man with deep reverence for His Holiness the Dalai Lama's "great knowledge and wisdom", Takna agrees that the Tibetan leader's "policy is pragmatic, and aimed at "the good of both Tibet and China".

He also knows that the present Chinese leaders are not ideological hardliners as Mao Zedong was. "So I believe the leaders of the People's Republic of China will surely consider the middle way approach of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, keeping in view the recent visits of Tibetan delegation to China and Tibet."

"But I am a very stubborn man and do not change my political stand," he said, adding that he would continue to struggle for Tibet's independence "till my last breath". 

Betraying the wisdom of a seasoned political activist, Takna said the struggle for independence will not be a smooth sailing. Neither will it achieve its goal in a short period. But truth and justice must triumph ultimately, he said with an air of finality.

Coming to Dharamsala, he said, was the fulfillment of his long-cherished desire to see the Tibetan Government-in-Exile. "Although I had had the opportunity to see His Holiness twice, I was eager to see the base of the Tibetan government in exile before I die. So I decided to come here. I am really happy and pleased to see Dharamsala."

"It is a great achievement that the Kashag (Tibetan cabinet) and its offices have been set up here in Dharamsala," the former prisoner enthused.

Echoing the late Panchan Lama's last public statement, Tanak Jigme Sangpo said Tibet's loss under Chinese rule outweighs the gain. "Although the Chinese have made some progress, Tibetan language and culture have been destroyed." This, he said, is the reason why he and many other Tibetans have chosen to leave their homeland and come into exile.

Asked for his message to the Tibetans back home in Tibet, he said the issue of Tibet is not merely about human rights. Rather is about the Tibetan people's political rights. He reminded his compatriots that it was for the sake of Tibet's independence that many Tibetan had sacrificed their lives. "I strongly feel and hope that all of you and those in Tibet would continue with our struggle for independence."