It was a historic moment as rule by the Dalai Lamas, which began with the “Great Fifth” in 1642, came to a close. It also marked the shift from the dominance of Tibetan politics by religious figures to democratic rule by ordinary Tibetans. Lobsang Sangay assumed the political leadership role relinquished by the 76-year-old Fourteenth Dalai Lama in May.

The Dalai Lama said that his “most cherished aspiration” has been fulfilled, and expressed satisfaction at the election of a leader with a “high standard of modern education.”

The Dalai Lama said Dr Sangay has become the first Tibetan political leader (Sikyong in Tibetan) to be elected democratically, and vested with full political authority and responsibility. The Dalai Lama completely handed over his administrative and political powers to the elected Tibet leadership through a democratic process, including the amendment of the Charter for Tibetans in exile, in May this year.

The seal of the Tibetan government, first issued by the Seventh Dalai Lama in 1751, was handed over to Dr Sangay by out-going Kalon Tripa Samdhong Rinpoche. The seal signifies the legitimacy of the Kashag (cabinet) of the Tibetan people.

Dr Sangay said his administration will strengthen the Tibetan freedom movement to ensure the return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet, reunite Tibetan people, and restore freedom in Tibet.

Education for the Tibetan exiles will be Sangay’s number one priority, and his goal is to produce 10,000 professionals among the 150,000 in exile in the next ten years. Improving the professionalism of the exile administration, as well as greater access and transparency through integration of technology and social networking tools, are high on his agenda.

Within a few months, a group of Tibetan scholars and intellectuals will be invited to form a Tibet Policy Institute. This Institute will serve as an intellectual platform to envision, develop, and execute policies that will strengthen the Tibetan cause.

What’s your take on the above, and what other pressing issues or projects should be considered?

There are three candidates now contesting for the post. Lobsang Sangay, who got the maximum number of votes in the preliminary round, has a Ph.D. in law and is a research fellow at Harvard Law School.

Tenzin Namgyal Tethong, a former Kalon Tripa and a Distinguished Fellow at Stanford University, has served the exile government for more than 35 years.

Tashi Wangdi, the third candidate, was a diplomat who has served the exile government for over 40 years.

If elected, the person will be in the post for the next five years.

Tibet is passing through a critical time and the Dalai Lama, 75, is stepping down as the political leader of Tibet. China has become the second most powerful country in the world. Nine rounds of dialogue between the Tibetans and the Chinese leadership is in a deadlock.

Considering all this, who do you think will make the best Kalon Tripa?

China has adopted a policy of waiting for the Dalai Lama to die, assuming that the Tibetan issue will also be buried with his demise.

The Dalai Lama has followed a policy of rapprochement and pursued a process of dialogue between his envoys and the Chinese leaders to achieve greater autonomy for Tibetans to practice their culture and protect their environment in Tibet. Recently he expressed hopelessness regarding the talks.

He has said repeatedly that he was not seeking independence for Tibet anymore, but China has consistently vilified and attacked him as a separatist, frustrating him to the point of saying that his faith in Chinese leaders is shrinking, and calling for a special meeting from 17 to 22 November for Tibetans to decide on the future strategy of the Tibetan movement.

The Dalai Lama is frustrated, and so are the Tibetans. What should be done now? Should there be a shift from the current policy of trying to obtain autonomy? What should be the strategy to achieve the goal? Should the post Dalai Lama situation be talked about during the meeting? Should the meeting also be taken as an opportunity to search for candidates for the next Prime Minister, considering Samdhong Rinpoche’s second term in office ends in 2011?

Share your views before the crucial meeting of leading Tibetan exiles that will shape the future of Tibet.

The United States presidential election of 2008 is scheduled for 4 November 2008. The president-elect and vice president-elect will be inaugurated on 20 January 2009.

Following the crackdown on protests against Chinese rule in Tibet that began in Lhasa on 10 March, the two leaders had expressed support for the Tibetan cause and respect for the Dalai Lama.

Barack Obama sent a letter to the Dalai Lama in July backing the rights of the people of Tibet.

“I wanted to take the opportunity to reassure you of my highest respect and support for you, your mission and your people at this critical time,” Obama said in the letter.

“I am deeply disturbed by reports of a crackdown and arrests ordered by Chinese authorities in the wake of peaceful protests by Tibetan Buddhist monks. I condemn the use of violence to put down peaceful protests, and call on the Chinese government to respect the basic human rights of the people of Tibet, and to account for the whereabouts of detained Buddhist monks.”

The 72-year-old John McCain met the Dalai Lama in July to discuss the Tibetan issue.

“The unfolding tragedy in Tibet should draw the attention of the entire world. I deplore the violent crackdown by Chinese authorities and the continuing oppression in Tibet of those merely wishing to practice their faith and preserve their culture and heritage. I have listened carefully to the Dalai Lama and am convinced he is a man of peace who reflects the hopes and aspirations of Tibetans. I urge the government of the People’s Republic of China to address the root causes of unrest in Tibet by opening a genuine dialogue with His Holiness, the Dalai Lama.”

“I urge the Chinese authorities to ensure peaceful protest is not met with violence, to release monks and others detained for peacefully expressing their views and to allow full outside access to Tibet.”

The out-going President George Bush expressed support for the Tibetan cause throughout his eight-year presidency, supporting a negotiated solution with the Chinese leaders. However, what remained obvious was the lack of real commitment, so that Chinese leaders were not obliged to take any concrete actions.