PEKING, Jan 29, Reuter: The Panchen lama, Tibet’s second most senior religious leader, has died after suffering a stroke and Asian diplomats said on Sunday Peking had lost a valuable intermediary with the Tibetan people.

The New China News Agency said the Panchen Lama, SO, died on Saturday at his residence in Xigaze, Tibet, where he was presiding over the opening ceremony of a rebuilt shrine.

It said he had been fatigued because of his duties at the opening of the shrine, which contains the remains on the fifth to ninth Panchen Lamas. It gave no more details.

As Vice Chairman of the National People’s Congress, China’s parliament, he was the most senior Tibetan in the Chinese government, as well as being the second religious leader after the Dalai Lama.

“He was an important person, acceptable to Tibetans and Peking,” one diplomat said, “He will be very hard to replace. I know of no one of comparable stature who can take his place.”

”He commanded respect among vetans as a Scholar and religious leader.” another diplomat said. “He and the Dalai Lama referred to each other as brothers.

“Some radical Tibetans criticized Panchen Lama as a servant of Peking but he did the best he could within the limitations of his position. He did much for his people,” he added.

The Dalai Lama and tens of thousands of followers fled Tibet in 1959 after a failed uprising against the Chinese. Talks on reopening of a formal dialogue between Peking and the Dalai Lama have taken place but without agreement.

Meanwhile the tibetan Dalai Lama praised the late Panchen Lama on Monday and ordered three days of official mourning.

The Panchen Lama, who was recognized by Tibetan Buddhists as the second most senior religious leader after the Dalai Lama, died at his residence in Xigaze, Tibet last Saturday.

The New China News Agency said on Sunday the Panchen Lama died after suffering a stroke, but some Tibetan exiles said he had been in good health and his death was suspicious.

“Following his recent statements people are very agitated, especially young Tibetans,” the Dalai Lama’s Delhi representative, Tashi Wangdi, said, “there is a very strong fear that the Chinese may have had a hand in his sudden death.”

The Panchen Lama was often vilified by radical Tibetan exiles as a tool of Peking. The most senior Tibetan in the Chinese Government, he served as Vice Chairman of the National People’s Congress, China’s parliament.

But the Dalal Lama, the exiled spiritual head of Tibetans, said in a statement: “The Panchen Rinpoche (precious Panchen) fought for the rights of the Tibetan people during the most difficult period.

“He was indeed a freedom fighter. His sudden demise is a great loss and I am deeply grieved.”

The Tibetan Government in Exile said the Dalal Lama would lead religious services on Monday in Dharamsala, his home in the Himalayan foothills since he fled Tibet in 1959 following a failed uprising against Chinese rule.

Article extracted from this publication >>  February 3, 1989