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In this article, I examine how Wencheng Gonghzu, the Chinese consort to the first Tibetan emperor Songtsen Gampo, served as a contentious rhetorical site for Tibetan and Chinese historiographers for over 1,000 years. I argue present exile Tibetan and Chinese propaganda on such topics as Tibetan political, cultural, and hereditary independence from China is at least analogous and possibly influenced by historiographic traditions found in texts such as the Tang Annals and post-imperial Tibetan Buddhist works like the Vase-shaped Pillar Testament. However, as Central Tibetan and Chinese historians used Wencheng to index the complex relationship between Tibet and China, Eastern Tibetan historians preserved lesser-known, potentially subversive narratives of Wencheng's travels, especially regarding her possible love-affair with the Tibetan minister Gar Tongtsen and their illegitimate child. After briefly reviewing Central Tibetan and Chinese metanarratives, I focus on Eastern Tibetan narratives, including the apparently lost Secret Autobiography of Wencheng Gongzhu, which I argue point to the former political autonomy, and cultural hybridity of areas of Eastern Tibet, especially Minyak and Powo. My investigation into Wencheng-narratives from Eastern Tibet demonstrates that her journey from China to Tibet should not be thought of a mere liminal period of her life, but rather central to debates among Tibetans and Chinese regarding the politics of national unity (minzu tuanjie) and constructions of pan-Tibetan identity.

He has been called "the Tony Blair of the right." Like the current resident of 10, Downing Street, David Cameron has admittedly experienced a meteoric ascent. Not yet 40, he is already at the helm of Britain's Conservative Party, surprising many observers when he seized leadership of the Tories. In an interview with Brigitte Ades, the young leader presents his vision for his country & for the world. A fervent proponent of "compassionate conservatism," he paints a very negative portrait of the Blair years, castigating the current PM for not allowing the majority of Britons to benefit from the nation's exceptional growth. David Cameron preaches an unbridled free-market approach to both the domestic economy & foreign policy, albeit accompanied by support for the most disadvantaged, which he believes is the only way to create wealth for all. Driven by unfailing conviction, he is gearing up for the big battle, the general elections in 2009. The outcome could very well see him become the successor to Tony Blair... Adapted from the source document.