Envoys brief Dalai Lama on talks with Chinese leadership

New Delhi, May 7 (UNI) Envoys of the Dalai Lama today briefed the Tibetan spiritual leader about their talks with the Chinese officials on the present crisis in Tibet.

The two envoys -- Kasur Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari and Kelsang Gyaltsen -- gave a detailed briefing to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan leadership at Dharamshala on their return from China following discussions with the Chinese officials.

The closed-door meeting between the Chinese central government officials and the Dalai Lama's representatives were held at Schenzen in southern China on May 4, the first since the eruption of protests and deadly riots in Tibet two months ago.

The two envoys will brief the media about the outcome of discussions tomorrow, the Tibetan government-in-exile said in a statement.

During the brief visit, the envoys discussed the urgent issue of the current crisis in the Tibetan areas with the representatives of the Chinese leadership.

They also conveyed the Dalai Lama's deep concerns about the Chinese authorities' handling of the situation and also provided suggestions to bring peace to the region.

The envoys raised the issue of moving forward on the dialogue process for a mutually satisfactory solution to the Tibetan issue since the Chinese leadership had indicated, publicly as well as in briefings given to foreign governments, its position on the continuation of talks.

Earlier on March 19, the Dalai Lama had written to Chinese president Hu Jintao, offering to send emissaries to Tibet to try and calm tensions.

On April 25, China's State media Xinhua, quoting an unnamed official, said the central government had decided to meet the envoys of the Dalai Lama in the coming days.

In its response, the Kashag of the Central Tibetan Administration said restoring normality in the situation in Tibetan areas was a prerequisite for the formal resumption of the talks.

''We are committed to taking all steps, including informal meetings, to continue to bring 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 the Dalai Lama rather than indulging in vilification campaign,'' the Kashag said.

For a long time, especially since the March 10 uprising this year, the Dalai Lama wanted to reach out to the Chinese people and the leadership, it said, adding he had always wanted to resolve the Tibet issue through face-to-face discussions with the Chinese.

The two sides have agreed to meet again at an appropriate time after the envoys report back to the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader and in consultation with the Chinese authorities.

''We had very candid discussions ... we have a good rapport, so that is always very helpful,'' Lodi Gyari had said in Hong Kong.

''We have agreed to meet once again so I think it is a good sign, but we will make a formal statement after I have reported to His Holiness when I get back to India,'' he had said.

There have been six rounds of dialogue between China and the Dalai Lama's envoys since 2002, but without any breakthrough.

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