1999 E-mail Exchange with Sir Brian Urquhart: Institute of International Studies, UC Berkeley

E-mail Exchange with Sir Brian Urquhart and students from Marin Academy High School, UC Berkeley's Model UN Program, and Boalt School of Law: March 1999 with Harry Kreisler

The UN and China

What do you see in China's future in terms of human rights issues, particularly in regards to the religious discrimination against the Tibetans? Do you feel that the Dalai Lama has become too much of a media and political figure?

Jennifer Co, Model UN Program, UC Berkeley

I wish I could give a clear answer to this question. It seems to me that a great historic country like China has to develop its own route to the realization of human rights, hopefully within the framework of the Universal Declaration. The question of Tibet is a tragic one to which at the moment there appears to be no satisfactory practical solution. Meanwhile, it is not surprising that both sides do their best to influence the media.