DHARAMSHALA: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said that he will publicly ask China to engage in direct dialogue with representatives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama without preconditions to resolve the Tibet issue. The Secretary of state made the statements in response to a set of written questions from Members of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
“I will recommend that the United States express publicly, and at the highest levels of government,” Pompeo wrote, “that Chinese authorities need to engage in meaningful and direct dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives, without preconditions, to lower tensions and resolve differences.”
Secretary Pompeo also expressed his commitment to ‘press the Chinese government to respect the legitimacy of Tibetan Buddhists’ religious practices. This includes the decisions of Tibetan Buddhists in selecting, educating, and venerating the lamas who lead the faith, such as the Dalai Lama.”
He also answered questions on topics ranging from human rights in Tibet including freedom of religion and belief, lack of regular access to Tibet for US citizens, as well as the release of Tibetan political prisoners. He said he will commit to ensure that US journalists, civil society, legislators, and scholars have full access to China, including the Tibet Autonomous Region and Tibetan areas.
He further spoke about the implementation of the Tibetan Policy Act and added that he will “will urge China to cease restrictions on the human rights of Tibetans as well as their religious, linguistic, and cultural traditions and practices. I will be committed to pressing for respect for human rights, including freedom of religion and belief, in my conversations with Chinese officials, and advocating for the release of Tibetan political prisoners.”
