Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON, September 9 – The Dalai Lama urged Congress to continue supporting the cause of a free Tibet, thanking House members in a Capitol Hill ceremony Tuesday for their push to improve China’s treatment of Tibetans.
Addressing a crowd of dozens in the Capitol’s Statuary Hall, the exiled Tibetan Bhuddist leader asked lawmakers to “please continue to help us in whatever way … to end this serious violation.”
Rep. Tom Lantos, D-Calif. and co-founder of the Human Rights Caucus, called the spiritual leader “the embodiment of human rights on this planet.” Caucus co-chairman Frank Wolf, R-Va., said he was the “epitome of strength and courage.”
The Dalai Lama, winner of the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize for his nonviolent struggle against Chinese rule of his homeland, is in Washington this week as part of a U.S. tour that began Saturday in San Francisco.
He planned to meet later Tuesday with Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., then Secretary of State Colin Powell, with a White House visit scheduled with President Bush on Wednesday.
“This is clearly not the number one item on the administration’s agenda vis-a-vis China,” Lantos said. But he added that the attention paid to Tibet is more than that of previous administrations.
Lorne Kraner, deputy assistant secretary of state for human rights, said the administration consistently raises the issue in meetings with Chinese officials.
The ceremony also marked the 20th anniversary of the caucus, which was sending a letter Tuesday to Chinese President Hu Jintao demanding more freedom and autonomy for Tibetans.
The Dalai Lama, who last visited the United States in May 2001, also plans to visit New York and Boston.
