Bush urges China for ‘substantive’ dialogue on Tibet
Friday, 2 May 2008, 11:12 a.m.
US President George W Bush in a file photo (Reuters) |
Dharamshala: US President
George W. Bush on Thursday urged China to hold substantive dialogue
with the representatives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to address the
deep and legitimate concerns of the Tibetan people, while conservative
and liberal members of Congress put the spotlight on Beijing’s gross
human rights violations.
“I welcome the recent statements by the Chinese government
expressing its willingness to meet with representatives of the Dalai
Lama, precisely what I had suggested (Chinese) President Hu Jintao do,”
Bush said during a celebration to mark Asian Pacific American Heritage
month at the White House.
“It’s important that there be a renewed dialogue — and that
dialogue must be substantive so we can address, in a real way, the deep
and legitimate concerns of the Tibetan people,” the US president said.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama wrote to Chinese president Hu
Jintao on 19 March offering to send emissaries to Tibet to try and calm
tensions.
On 25 April, China’s State media Xinhua quoted an unnamed
official saying that the central government have decided to meet the
envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in the coming days.
In its response, the Kashag of the Central Tibetan Administration said
restoring normality in the situation in the Tibetan areas is a
prerequisite for the formal resumption of the talks, adding, we are
committed to take all steps, including informal meetings, to continue
to bring about this.
The Kashag underlined: “It is our position that for any meeting
to be productive it is important for the Chinese leadership to
understand the reality and acknowledge the positive role of His
Holiness the Dalai Lama rather than indulging in vilification campaign
that is even contained in the same Xinhua report.”
His Holiness the Dalai Lama for a long time, especially since
10 March of this year, wanted to reach out to the Chinese people and
the leadership. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has always wanted to
resolve the issue of Tibet through face-to-face discussions with the
Chinese authorities.
His Holiness and the Central Tibetan Administration has
categorically rejected the Chinese authorities baseless allegations
levelled against them and have repeatedly called for thorough
investigation by an independent investigation body of the causes of
unrest in Tibet.