From the Tibetan Government-in-Exile

Press Statement by Kalon Tripa on Xinhua report of China 's wishing to meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama's envoys.

We have seen the Xinhua report of April 25, 2008 of the Chinese government wishing to meet with His Holiness the Dalai Lama's envoys. His Holiness the Dalai Lama for a long time, especially since 10 March of this year, wanted to reach out to the Chinese people and the leadership. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has always wanted to resolve the issue of Tibet through face to face discussions with the Chinese authorities.

Throughout the present crisis in Tibet, we have maintained contact with the Chinese authorities, not only to share our deepest concerns at their repressive measures to deal with the development in different parts of Tibet, but more importantly to provide suggestions to resolve the crisis. His Holiness even sent a personal communication to President Hu Jintao as early as March 19, 2008 wherein he had even offered to send representatives to help calm the situation.

The immediate greatest concern for His Holiness and the Tibetan leadership continues to be the fate of the Tibetans and in this regard His Holiness the Dalai Lama's envoys have been in regular touch with their counterparts, including exploring the possibilities of early meetings, to address this issue.

We feel it will require normalcy in the situation in the Tibetan areas for the formal resumption of the talks and we are committed to take all steps, including informal meetings, to continue in bringing about this. It is our position that for any meeting to be productive it is important for the Chinese leadership to understand the reality and acknowledge the positive role of His Holiness the Dalai Lama rather than indulging in vilification campaign that is even contained in the same Xinhua report.

Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche

Kalon Tripa