World Tibet Network News Sunday, May 31, 1998

Source: PTI news agency, New Delhi

Washington, 28th May: The Dalai Lama has welcomed the scheduled China visit of President Bill Clinton next month saying it would provide the latter an opportunity to raise the issue of Tibet.

"I always believe in the importance of direct, face-to-face dialogue. So I am glad that President Clinton is going to China. This will give President Clinton an opportunity to directly raise important issues such as human rights and Tibet," the self-exiled Tibetan spiritual leader told the Wisconsin State Legislature on Wednesday [27th May].

Without referring directly to Clinton's policy of engagement with China, the Dalai Lama, who on 11th May launched an international human rights campaign from Atlanta, Georgia, said: An active and responsible engagement means that human rights norms must be at the core of relations with China.

The Dalai Lama, however, expected some concrete results from the talks saying it will be unfortunate if it were only symbolism and little of substance.

He called for genuine self-rule for Tibet but not independence and endorsed all the democratic freedoms for universal application.

The Dalai Lama thanked the elected legislatures around the world such as in the US Congress and the European Parliament for having passed a number of resolutions supporting Tibet.

"This is something that I really appreciate and has given us great encouragement in this difficult period," he said adding when elected officials speak for Tibet, this often reflects a genuine and widespread concern for the plight of Tibet.

In fact, the Dalai Lama said, every country where there is substantial government support for Tibet is a democracy and added that he considered human rights work to be a kind of spiritual practice.