20. Oct 2009
UK urges China to meet with Dalai Lama
(APCG) A delegation of British parliamentarians who travelled to the TAR at the invitation of the PRC has concluded that Beijing must invite the Dali Lama to talks if there is to be any progress on Tibet, The All Party Parliamentary China Group (APCG), led by Lord Steel of Aikwood, said: "There is a real opportunity for dialogue between the PRC and the Dalai Lama. We believe that common ground exists between both parties and should be explored with a view to resolution". The delegation saw that an independent Tibet was not feasible, and praised the Dalai Lama for not pursuing this end, and denouncing all forms of violence. It also praised the PRC for an "openness to exploring all options for the future of Tibet with the exception of independence". However, the report's authors conceded there was very little reason to hope that the PRC would extend an invitation to the Dalai Lama in the near future. Furthermore their vision of that meeting was at odds with anything the PRC could envisage. The delegation said: "We note the strong merits of an independent intermediary assisting those talks. We recall the beneficial role of mediators in Northern Ireland, Sri Lanka, and South Africa, amongst others".