US Special Co-ordinator calls on His Holiness the Dalai Lama [Tuesday, 18 October 2010, 10:44 a.m.]

US President Barack Obama’s emissary, Valerie Jarrett (center) along with US State Department Under Secretary Maria Otero (right) talking to His Holiness the Dalai Lama during their meeting at the latter’s residence in Dharamsala on 14 September 2009/ Photo: OHHDL

Dharamshala: The meeting was attended by Kalon Tripa Samdhong Rinpoche and His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Special Envoy Kasur Lodi Gyari. Mrs Otero is also Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs. His Holiness the Dalai Lama reiterated to Otero his commitment to Middle Way Approach of working non-violently to resolve the issue of Tibet, said special envoy Kasur Lodi Gyari. “Support for his efforts from the United States has been critical at many levels and His Holiness was very pleased to hear again from Under Secretary Otero that the Obama administration (supports) his Middle Way approach,” he said. The essence of the Middle Way Approach is to secure genuine autonomy for the Tibetan people within the scope of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China. Nine rounds of talks were held between the Tibetan side and the PRC leadership since 2002 to work out a mutually beneficial solution to the issue of Tibet. The envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama presented a comprehensive Memorandum on Genuine Autonomy for the Tibetan People to the Chinese leadership on 31 October 2008 during the eighth round of talks. The memorandum puts forth Tibetan side’s position on genuine autonomy and how the specific needs of the Tibetan nationality for autonomy and self-government can be met through application of the principles on autonomy of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China. As the PRC leadership expressed doubts about the spirit of the Memorandum, the Tibetan side presented a Note during the 9th round of talks in January this year to clarify their doubts and misunderstanding on some of the fundamental issues raised in the Memorandum.(Based on report filed by Bhuchung K Tsering)Also read:Memorandum on Genuine Autonomy for the Tibetan People Note on the Memorandum on Genuine Autonomy for the Tibetan People