China-Tibet talks held in 'frank and candid manner'

Kasur Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari, special envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and envoy Kelsang Gyaltsen addressing media persons, in Dharamshala, 8 May 2008. The two envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama held informal talks on Tibet with their Chinese counterparts in the Chinese city of Shenzhen on Sunday, 4 May. (Photo: Sangjey Kep/TibetNet)

Envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama said recent crisis in Tibet is a clear symptom of deeply felt grievances and resentment of the Tibetans with China's policies.

Dharamshala: The two envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama said Thursday both sides have expressed strong and divergent views on the nature as well as the causes of the recent tragic events in Tibet in a 'frank and candid manner'.

The envoys said despite major differences on important issues both sides demonstrated a willingness to seek common approaches in addressing the issues at hand and made some concrete proposals, which can be part of the future agenda.

"As a result an understanding was reached to continue the formal round of discussions. A date for the seventh round will be finalised soon after mutual consultations," said special envoy Kasur Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari addressing media persons in Dharamshala.

The envoy said: "On our part we rejected categorically the accusation made against His Holiness the Dalai Lama of instigating the demonstrations and unrest in Tibet."

"We made it clear that the events in Tibet are the inescapable consequences of wrong policies of the authorities towards the Tibetans, which goes back several decades," Mr Gyari added.

The recent crisis in Tibet is a clear symptom of deeply felt grievances and resentment of the Tibetans with these policies. The task at hand is to address the legitimate concerns of the Tibetan people in a realistic and constructive way.

The envoys said they have stressed the importance of ending the current repression throughout Tibet and called for the release of prisoners, to allow those injured to be given proper medical treatment and give unfettered access to visitors, including the media.

The envoys urged the Chinese authorities to put an end to the "patriotic re-education" campaign, which is deeply resented by the Tibetan people.

The envoys rejected the Chinese government's baseless accusation that His Holiness the Dalai Lama is sabotaging the Olympic Games 2008. On the contrary, they made it clear that His Holiness the Dalai Lama has consistently and unambiguously supported the Beijing Olympic Games right from the beginning.

Following large-scale peaceful demonstrations by Tibetans across the Tibetan plateau since 10 March, the representatives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and their Chinese counterparts held informal talks in China's southern city of Schenzen on 4 May.

China willing to engage talks on Tibet

The Chinese President Hu Jintao said Wednesday that the Chinese government's next contact with the Dalai Lama is likely to be conducted at an appropriate time, China's official media Xinhua reported.

The report said, "Hu made the remarks at a joint press briefing with Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda following their official talks at noon. "

President Hu said: "Officials from China's central government made contacts recently with private representatives of the Dalai Lama, and the next round of contact will be held at an appropriate time."

Hu said Chinese government's attitude toward contacts and consultation with the Dalai Lama is serious," adding "We hope the contact to yield positive results."