Ten Real Questions for Dr. Lobsang Sangay

posted Feb 28, 2011 6:29 PM by The Tibetan Political Review [ updated Feb 28, 2011 8:55 PM ]

By Tashi Sangay

1. You speak of UNITY amongst Tibetans as one of the core principle of your campaign, yet your campaign has been involved with some of the most divisive politics Tibetans in exile have ever witnessed.  Kudrak vs commoners; Old vs young; “pure blood Tibetans”, etc., If you have been unable to control your campaign team on this issue of unity, how do you envision promotion of UNITY if elected as Kalon Tripa?

2.   On VOA, you said Harvard has paid for the bulk of your campaign expenses – particularly international travels.   However in your letter to the campaign supporters, you said it was the debate organizers who are paying for the international travels.  Now in an interview with Harvard Crimson, you said it was your campaign team who is paying for those expenses.  Will you disclose the true source of your campaign funding?

3.  On VOA and in Minnesota, you said Harvard has given you 5 years leave of absence. You mentioned that Prof Unger was an example of someone with five years leave to serve with the government of Brazil.  Prof. Unger had to return to Harvard after 2 years because Harvard refused to extend his leave.  Do you have 5 years leave of absence from Harvard to serve the Tibetan government in exile?

4.  In 2003, In a paper you wrote, Tibet: Exile’s Journey, you said that “the Lama ... must give way politically to a popularly elected leader and let his office become a purely spiritual one” and then asked "if he is to lead them to full democracy must he not step aside and let a secular system flourish?”  Were you calling for His Holiness the Dalai Lama to resign?

5. At Woodrow Wilson Centre in 2008, when questioned on charges of “serfs and slavery in Tibet”, you responded by joking about nominating yourself as the next President of China.  Do you believe it not important to respond to Chinese charges of slavery in Tibet prior to Chinese invasion?

6.  The position of Kalon Tripa, as the Chief Executive Officer, of the Tibetan government in exile requires management of thousands of people, allocation of over Rs. 100 crore or $25 million annually.  Based on your resume and terms of condition of Harvard’s policy on your job, it appears that you have only worked under supervision of others and have never supervised or managed any department or individuals.  How do you expect to perform your duties as the Kalon Tripa considering you have never previously held any position of responsibility?

7. Your positions at Harvard as a Research Associate and Research Fellow are both with term limits.  Both are annually renewable and both have maximum term limit, Research Associate has eight years and Research Fellow with 5 years.  If you are not elected as the Kalon Tripa, will you have contract at Harvard beyond 2012?

8. Your position at Harvard requires external funding to Harvard.  Who is funding your position at Harvard?

9.  You said you travelled to China on a white paper that the Chinese government issued.  As a lawyer, did you not examine the content of that document?  Were you aware you were agreeing to travel as an "Overseas Chinese National"?  When asked about this issue before, why did you not simply answer truthfully?

10. Why do you want to become the Kalon Tripa for Tibet?