Dharamshala: On the concluding day of its ninth session, the 14th Tibetan Parliament-in-exile today unanimously passed a set of resolutions reaffirming its faith in His Holiness the Dalai Lama's ability to use his wisdom to resolve the Tibet issue, in pursuance of the unanimous resolutions passed by the parliament on September 18 1997.
At a press briefing, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker said the resolution was passed after two days of extensive deliberation over the Statement of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the parliamentary session, including discussions with ministers, former ministers and His Holiness' envoys.
The statement had expressed His Holiness' pride in the development of democracy by the Tibetan government-in-exile over the past 50 years.
It had also directed the parliament to conduct a thorough discussion with the administration, to resolve rumours and confusion in parliament, the media and amongst the Tibetan public over the Memorandum on Genuine Autonomy for the Tibetan People and the Note on the Memorandum, which were submitted to the Chinese government in 2008 and 2009 - namely that they did not reflect His Holiness' views or that they had not been tabled or approved by parliament.
The resolution, amongst other things, stated that the parliament was fully convinced that the two documents were in accordance with the wishes of His Holiness and that they needed no parliamentary discussion, as they were recognised as representing earlier unanimous resolutions.
The parliament extended sincere apologies to His Holiness for any pain or distress caused by the controversy and misconceptions.
It further resolved that, in future, members of parliament will strive sincerely to improve standards and proceedings in the house, that it will work for the public good, and that it will avoid partisan disagreements.
The Speaker said the resolution and press briefing should be of reassurance to Tibetans living in Tibet, and added that Tibetans living in exile must be aware that, within a democratic government that has been developing for 50 years, differences of opinion will arise. However, he said that does not mean the Tibetan people are disunited or at loggerheads.
