US President George W Bush has offered his strong support to Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama and his efforts to initiate a dialogue with the Chinese government.
White House officials outlined Mr Bush’s views after he met the Dalai Lama in Washington.
“The president said he would seek ways to encourage dialogue and expressed his hope that the Chinese government would respond favorably,” officials said in a statement after the White House meeting.
“The president also reiterated the strong commitment of the United States to support the preservation of Tibet’s unique religious, cultural and linguistic identity and the protection of the human rights of all Tibetans.”
US President George W Bush has offered his strong support to Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama and his efforts to initiate a dialogue with the Chinese government. White House officials outlined Mr Bush’s views after he met the Dalai Lama in Washington.
“The president said he would seek ways to encourage dialogue and expressed his hope that the Chinese government would respond favorably,” officials said in a statement after the White House meeting.
“The president also reiterated the strong commitment of the United States to support the preservation of Tibet’s unique religious, cultural and linguistic identity and the protection of the human rights of all Tibetans.”
Mr Bush brushed aside complaints from China ahead of his meeting with the Dalai Lama.
China regards Tibet as part of its traditional territory and sees the Dalai Lama as a supporter of its independence.
In an apparent gesture to China, the White House made it clear that Bush was receiving the Dalai Lama as a religious and not a political leader.
“The president thinks it’s important to meet with the Dalai Lama,” said White House spokesman Ari Fleischer.
“It’s appropriate to meet with him, and that’s why they’re doing it.” In Beijing, the Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed anger before the meeting.
