Washington, April 22
The Dalai Lama has sought the US “help” in resolving the vexed Tibet issue as the Bush administration pressed China to open dialogue with the exiled spiritual leader.

“At this moment we need your help,” the 72-year-old saffron-robed spiritual leader told US special envoy on Tibet Paula Dobriansky as they met in Michigan, adding that the issue of Tibet was “very significant.” Dobriansky said the meeting with the Dalai Lama provides a “timely opportunity” to discuss the situation in Tibet.

“The Bush administration has expressed concern about the situation in Tibet and has urged restraint,” she said. “In particular, President (George W) Bush has been a steadfast supporter for the need for dialogue between His Holiness and Chinese leaders.” The State Department has not released details of the meeting, the first since massive anti-China protests rocked Tibet in mid-March, focusing global attention on the plight of Tibetans under the Chinese rule.

Soon after the 12th meeting between Dobriansky and the Dalai Lama since 2001, the US State Department asked China to resume dialogue with the spiritual leader, stressing that 1989 Nobel Peace Prize laureate was not seeking independence of Tibet, but talks to resolve outstanding issues on it.

“We’d certainly like to see that dialogue resume. As you point out, it is something that has gone on in the past and we think it’s the best way to be able to manage and deal with the problems in Tibet,” State Department Deputy Spokesman Tom Casey said.

Casey also noted that the Dalai Lama had been seeking dialogue with the Chinese authorities to be able to help resolve many of the outstanding questions, including people’s rights to practice their religion freely, to observe their cultural traditions freely and to be able to otherwise enjoy some basic civil liberties.

Beijing has held talks through unofficial channels with envoys of the Dalai Lama on the Tibet issue but the dialogue was suspended last summer. — PTI

Just a day before leaving for New Delhi after wrapping up his three-year assignment, the outgoing Indian Ambassador to Nepal Shiv Shankar Mukherjee on Tuesday said that India would offer unconditional support to the new government that is likely to be formed under Maoist leadership. Speaking at an interaction programme with mediapersons, the Indian envoy said that the Indian government would work with and support the future government.

When asked about the Indian government's position regarding the fate of the monarchy, Mukherjee said, "Whatever decisions Nepali people and their legitimate representatives will take, we will support it."

"It is time for Nepal now to rise a bit above politics and move forward the process of development alongside," said Mukherjee, adding, "The development work should not be put aside until full settlement of politics as it is an issue directly related to the day-to-day problems of the people."

He said Nepal has set a unique example of political transformation of those regarded as insurgents.

According to a source in Baluwatar, Koirala applauded the role played by Mukherjee during his tenure. Mukherjee also reiterated that India would continue to support and assist Nepal to make the ongoing peace process a success and bring political stability.

The International Independent Group of Imminent Persons (IIGEP), headed by former Indian Chief Justice P.N. Bhagwati, and the Sri Lankan government traded charges on Tuesday as the group held its final press briefing in Colombo before winding up its operations in the country.

Justice Bhagwati said the group, set up in February, 2007, has exhausted its ability to make a meaningful contribution any longer in accordance with their mandate to observe that the Commission of Inquiry (CoI), appointed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to look into 16 serious human rights violations, conducts itself in a “transparent manner and in accordance with the basic intentional norms and standards pertaining to investigations and inquires.”

Sir Nigel Rodley of the UK, a member of the group, said they were “frustrated” and “disappointed” that the government has ignored many of its observations as well as shown disrespect to the members in some of its public comments. The government reacted to the IIGEP comments to the media soon after saying it regrets the decision of the IIGEP members to quit the country but said their departure would not in any way adversely affected the ability of the CoI to carry forward its work in keeping with intentional standards.

Much of the dispute between the two sides has arisen due to the presence of officials of the Attorney General’s Department at the proceedings of the COI which the IIGEP objects to as well as the failure of the government to enact witness and victims’ protection laws urgently.

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