22 April 2008

Statement on U.S. Envoy’s Meeting with the Dalai Lama

Dobriansky and the Dalai Lama discuss the current situation in Tibet

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
April 21, 2008

Question Taken at April 21, 2008 Daily Press Briefing

Under Secretary Dobriansky’s Meeting with the Dalai Lama

Question: Provide a read-out of Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky’s meeting today (April 21) with the Dalai Lama.

Answer: Under Secretary Dobriansky met with the Dalai Lama in Ann Arbor today in her role as the Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues.  This meeting is part of our ongoing efforts to promote dialogue between the Dalai Lama and Chinese leaders.

Under Secretary Dobriansky reiterated our long-standing support for substantive dialogue between the Dalai Lama and China’s leaders.  This is not a new message, but rather one we have consistently delivered to all sides long before the current situation in Tibet, and one we will continue to deliver to our interlocutors at all levels.

Under Secretary Dobriansky and the Dalai Lama also discussed the current situation in Tibet and the need for China to permit journalists and others reasonable access to all Tibetan areas.

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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)