By Tenzin Sangmo

New Delhi, June 25 - In what could be termed as a new impetus to the Tibet cause, the Free Tibet Team Japan (FTTJ) submitted a paper petition to Prime Minister Fukuda's office June 23 to invite the Dalai Lama to the G8 summit. Invitation has also been sent out to the Chinese President Hu Jintao. FTTJ is currently campaigning for all G8 leaders to invite the Dalai Lama to facilitate a significant discourse for peace in Tibet.

The Hokkaido Toyako summit (G8 leaders' conference) will be held in Japan from July 7-9, 2008. Many see it as a prospect for the leaders to talk about and design an idea that will solve the current crisis situation in Tibet. FTTJ drives towards a moderated dialogue between the Dalai Lama and Hu Jintao at the Summit in Japan.

The outline of the action includes citizens in G8 countries urging their leaders to propose to the Japanese government to invite the Dalai Lama to the Summit. The G8 leaders in turn ask the Japanese government to set up dialogue at the Summit. The G8 countries are the United States, England, Canada, Germany, Italy, Russia, Japan and the European Union.

The paper petitions, 7310 in all collected in Japan were put into three file holders and delivered to House of Representatives member Takeo Hiranuma's Secretary, Mrs. Inubushi. The files were then taken within the same building by Mrs. Inubushi to Prime Minister Fukuda's policy secretary.

FTTJ is campaigning furiously to press all G8 leaders and Sherpas until the Summit. The UK Government's e-petitions are open until the 29th of this month.

Additional information by FTTJ