WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – US
President George W. Bush is looking forward to a meeting with the Dalai Lama, the White House said, as the spiritual leader of Tibet slammed China for imposing “very, very repressive” policies in his Himalayan territory. White House spokesman Scott McClellan confirmed to reporters that the White House talks would take place Wednesday during the Dalai Lama’s 10-day high-profile visit to Washington.
“The President and Mrs Bush plan to meet with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, on Wednesday, here at the White House. And I know they look forward to that visit,” he said.
Speaking ahead of his meeting, the Dalai Lama charged that China pursued strict rule in the Tibetan Autonomous Region despite “some progress” in direct talks between his envoys and Beijing to resolve the Tibetan question.
“Still, things are very, very repressive,” the 70-year-old Tibetan leader told reporters before attending a dialogue in Washington with scientists, physicians and psychologists on the role of meditative practices in medical treatment and healing.
The Dalai Lama will appeal to Bush to prod Chinese leader Hu Jintao during their summit in Beijing later this month to give “genuine autonomy” to the Himalayan territory, said Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari, the Dalai Lama’s special envoy.
Bush’s previous meetings in 2001 and 2003 with the Dalai Lama drew angry complaints from China.
As in previous meetings, Bush will hold his talks with the Dalai Lama at the White House residence rather than the offices, apparently to avoid the full wrath of China.
The Dalai Lama has lived in India since he fled from Chinese troops in 1959, basing his government-in-exile in the hill-top northern Indian town of Dharamsala.
Beijing formally established a Tibetan Autonomous Region in 1965 but the Dalai Lama has said there was no genuine autonomy.
Bush said he would raise the issue of religious freedom and human rights — key concerns in Tibet — with Chinese President Hu during his Beijing visit on November 19 after attending a summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (
APEC) forum in the South Korean city of Busan.
“I will continue to remind President Hu about, for example, my personal faith and the belief that people should be allowed to worship freely.
“And a vibrant, whole society is one that recognizes that certain freedoms are inherent and need to be part of a complete society,” Bush said.
The Dalai Lama noted that four rounds of direct talks had been held since 2002 with the Chinese government on the Tibetan question, saying there was “some progress but up to now our main emphasis is to try to build confidence.
“Without confidence, (it is) very difficult to discuss more serious issues,” said the spiritual leader of the six million Tibetans.
“Meantime, from the Tibetan side, from our side, we make every effort to create a positive atmosphere but it seems (from) the Chinese government side, (there is) still no sign of improvement — that means some leniency inside Tibet,” the Dalai Lama said.
Human rights groups have accused China of taking a hardline stance on religion and culture in Tibet and imposing discriminatory economic policies that resulted in an influx of Chinese migrants.
“This is threatening Tibetan cultural identity and survival and has resulted in further militarization of the plateau and exploitation of natural resources, with Tibetans being increasingly marginalized,” said Kate Saunders, a spokeswoman for the International Campaign for Tibet.
The group is spearheading a campaign for human rights and democratic freedoms for the people of Tibet.
