DHARAMSHALA: The House of Representatives of the state of Vermont, United States, adopted a resolution on 10 March encouraging the resumption of negotiations between China and representatives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama based on the Middle Way Approach of the Central Tibetan Administration.

The resolution was sponsored by Rep Maida Townsend and supported by 39 other representatives of the assembly.

The House Resolution states “This legislative body supports the U.S. government’s promotion of improved access to Tibet for U.S. diplomats, journalists, and citizens, including Tibetan Americans; encourages the government of the People’s Republic of China and representatives of the Dalai Lama to resume negotiations, discontinued in 2010, for a middle way approach that would provide true autonomy for Tibet within the People’s Republic of China; supports the U.S. government making human rights a high priority in its relationship with the People’s Republic of China, including the rights of Tibetans and other non-Chinese people; supports programs that assist sustainable development and cultural traditions on the Tibetan plateau; supports humanitarian assistance for Tibetan refugees; and supports acknowledgment of Tibet’s critical environmental significance.”

The resolution also acknowledged that Tibet has a long and proud cultural, religious, and political history and that the People’s Republic of China invaded Tibet in 1950. Since then, the people of Tibet have experienced continuing threats to every aspect of their autonomy and historic heritage.

A copy of the resolution was sent to the Office of Tibet in Washington D.C., the International Campaign for Tibet, to President Obama, to the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Washington, D.C., and to the Vermont Congressional Delegation.

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