Dharamshala July 1 – For the first time ever, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s envoys met with their Chinese counterparts in a venue outside China. Special envoy Lodi Gyari and Envoy Kelsang Gyaltsen held talks with the representatives of the Chinese government in Switzerland yesterday during the first session of the fourth round of their talks with the Chinese government at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Swiss capital Berne.
The two were accompanied by Sonam Norbu Dagpo, Secretary (international relations) of the Department of Information and International Relations, Bhuchung K Tsering of the International Campaign for Tibet and Ngaba Tsegyam, representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Taiwan. The Chinese side was represented by Mr. Zhu Weiqun, the Vice-Minister of the United Front Department of the PRC, Mr. Sithar and other officials of the department.
A press release issued here said that this is in continuation of the process started in September 2002 after the ties were renewed between Dharamshala and Beijing. Earlier, the delegation indicated towards a fourth visit during a press conference held after their return from the third visit to China. The Kalon Tripa also told the media in Germany that he was very hopeful of a fourth visit. The de facto prime minister of the exile Tibetan government said that the fourth visit is anticipated to be much practical and result oriented than the earlier visits.
The Envoys received their final instructions from His Holiness the Dalai Lama at a meeting on 23 June, 2005. Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche also took part in the meeting, the release said.
“His Holiness the Dalai Lama hopes the process will move forward to bring about substantive negotiations on the Tibet problem,” the release further said.
The idea of holding periodic meetings at venues outside China was discussed during the third visit to the delegation to China in September last year.
Lodi Gyari told the press after his delegation’s last visit that there were many differences in opinions and views of Dharamshala and Beijing and that they were able to interact with the Chinese leaders much closely.
MEDIA RELEASE
Press Statement by Mr. Tenzin Geyche Tethong, Secretary to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Dharamsala, INDIA July 1, 2005
Mr. Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari, accompanied by Mr. Kelsang Gyaltsen and three senior assistants, began the first session of the fourth round of their talks with Chinese counterparts at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Berne, Switzerland on June 30, 2005. This is in continuation of the process started in September 2002.
Mr. Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari is the Special Envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Mr. Kelsang Gyaltsen is the Envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The Envoys received their final instructions from His Holiness the Dalai Lama on June 23, 2005. Kalon Tripa, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, took part in the meeting.
His Holiness hopes the process will move forward to bring about substantive negotiations on the Tibet problem.
The idea of periodic meetings at venues outside of China was discussed during the third session of talks in September 2004.
Released by: Tibet Bureau, Geneva
Media Contact: Mr. Tenzin S. Kayta
Tel: +41 22 738 7940
Fax: +41 22 738 7941
Email: tibet@bluewin.ch
Department of Information and International Relations’ Press Statement: Two Envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama conclude fourth round of talks in Berne, Switzerland
Contact: Mr. Thubten Samphel
Secretary
Department of Information and International Relations
Central Tibetan Administration
Tel: (91) 1892 – 224846/222457
Dharamshala 1 July 2005: The Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama issued a press statement this afternoon stating that Mr. Lodi Gyari, accompanied by Mr. Kelsang Gyaltsen and three senior assistants, began the first session of the fourth round of talks with the Chinese counterparts at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Berne, Switzerland, on 30 June 2005.
The fourth round of talks with the Chinese counterparts concluded this afternoon. The dialogue started on 30 June and went on to the afternoon of 1 July 2005.
Representing the Chinese side was Mr. Zhu Weiqun, the Vice-Minister of the United Front, Mr. Sithar and other officials of the department. Assisting Mr. Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari, Special Envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Mr. Kelsang Gyaltsen, Envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, are Mr. Sonam Norbu Dagpo, the Secretary of the Department of Information and International Relations, Mr. Tsegyam Ngaba, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Representative in Taiwan, and Mr. Bhuchung K. Tsering, a member of the Task Force on Negotiations of the Central Tibetan Administration.
The Tibetan delegation will return to Dharamsala next week.
