Dalai Lama's deputy withdraws resignation

　　By Wang Liangliang and Wu Gang

　　BEIJING, June 12 -- Samdhong Rinpoche, "prime minister" of the so-called Tibetan government-in-exile, said he had dropped the idea of resigning from the post after the Dalai Lama rejected his request, the Indo-Asian News Service reported yesterday.

　　After having a discussion with the Dalai Lama, Samdhong Rinpoche said he thought stepping down might send a "negative message" to Tibetan people. He also expressed his concern over Beijing's reaction.

　　The 70-year-old had allegedly asked if he could resign because of differences among the "cabinet ministers," especially about decision-making and the ongoing reforms.

　　The "government-in-exile," which is not recognized by any country in the world, has eight "cabinet ministers."

　　However, Samdhong Rinpoche, the second most powerful person in the "government" after the Dalai Lama, denied the accusations, saying he submitted the proposal to resign only to give younger people an opportunity.

　　Chinese experts said the resignation saga indicated there were troubles within the Dalai Lama's circle.

　　"There are apparently huge differences in the so-called government-in-exile," Ma Jiali, form the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, said.

　　"It's possible Samdhong Rinpoche only used the resignation proposal to pressure other Tibetan competitors, so as to consolidate his power."

　　Hu Yan, a professor of Party School of the CPC Central Committee, who has been studying the Tibet issue for many years, said he was not surprised to see a split among "Tibetan independence seekers."

　　"I've known some Tibetans who followed the Dalai Lama in their pursuit for independence, but eventually dropped out after seeing there was no hope in that direction," he said.

　　The Dalai Lama's cause was based on twisting the history and the present of Tibet, he said, without elaborating.

　　"But lies won't last," he said.

　　"You may only deceive a few people for a while, but you can't deceive all of them forever."

　　The opening up of China and the Tibet Autonomous Region will give more people a chance to "know the truth," he claimed.