Dharamshala: US President Barack Obama would encourage both the Chinese leadership and His Holiness the Dalai Lama to continue to talk.
“The President would simply encourage the two parties to continue to talk,” said White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, about the meeting between Obama and His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
He said a briefing would be provided after the two leaders met Thursday morning in the White House Map Room where US presidents normally meet visiting heads of state.
During the ninth round of talks held in China from 26 – 31 January, the envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama had urged the Chinese leadership to work with His Holiness to find a mutually acceptable solution to the Tibetan problem based on the Memorandum on Genuine Autonomy for the Tibetan People.
“The fundamental issue that needs to be resolved is the faithful implementation of genuine autonomy that will enable the Tibetan people to govern themselves in accordance with their own genius and needs,” the envoys told the Chinese leadership. (Click here for full coverage of press briefing by two envoys)
“His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaks on behalf of the Tibetan people, with whom he has a deep and historical relationship and one based on full trust. It cannot be disputed that His Holiness legitimately represents the Tibetan people, and he is certainly viewed as their true representative and spokesperson by them. It is indeed only by means of dialogue with His Holiness the Dalai Lama that the Tibetan issue can be resolved. The recognition of this reality is important.
“We emphasised the point that His Holiness’ engagement for the cause of Tibet is not for the purpose of claiming certain personal rights or political position for himself, nor attempting to stake claims for the Tibetan Administration in Exile.”