By Phurbu Thinley
Dharamsala, May 2: The envoys of the exiled Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama are to leave for China to hold “informal talks with representatives of the Chinese leadership”, the Office of the His Holiness the Dalai Lama confirmed today.
“His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Special Envoy Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari and Envoy Kelsang Gyaltsen will arrive in China on May 3, 2008 for informal talks with representatives of the Chinese leadership,” the statement released by the office said.
The statement, however, did not indicate whether it is part of a series of dialogue between the two sides that has been taking place since 2002.
“During this brief visit, the envoys will take up the urgent issue of the current crisis in the Tibetan areas. They will convey His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s deep concerns about the Chinese authorities’ handling of the situation and also provide suggestions to bring peace to the region,” the statement from the Dalai Lama’s secretary Mr Chhime R. Chhoekyapa said.
So far six rounds of dialogue have taken place between the envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Beijing.
The sixth round of Sino-Tibetan talk was held in China from June 29 to July 5 last year.
Despite six rounds of talks, Tibetans leaders have lately complained there had been no concrete result at all on the fundamental issue. They have, in fact complained of increased repression and brutality in Tibet.
“Since the Chinese leadership has indicated, publicly as well as in briefings given to foreign governments, its position on the continuation of the dialogue, the envoys will raise the issue of moving forward on the process for a mutually satisfactory solution to the Tibetan issue,” today’s statement indicated.
The Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche last week welcomed the Chinese Government’s decision to meet with Tibetan representatives, but added that Tibetan people’s resentment against Chinese government will continue unless China makes sincere efforts to address their grievances.
