US to pursue autonomy for Tibet: Destro

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 1

The US is committed to advocating autonomy for Tibet within China and to foster the middle way approach for a dialogue with Beijing proposed by the Dalai Lama, American Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues, Robert Destro, has said.

The US has followed up the appointment of the Special Coordinator on Tibet with the first-ever invitation to “Tibetan President (in-exile)” Lobsang Sangay to the US State Department. “While they (China) have the right to criticise the meeting, we have the right to have whatever meetings we want,’’ Destro said in response to China’s criticism of his meeting with Sangay in Washington.

In a transcript provided by the Dalai Lama’s office, Destro said he was amazed by the overwhelming response from the Tibetan community. “One of the things that has been the most impressive for me is the outpouring of support from the Tibetan community and the desire to engage. We have been reaching out and will continue to reach out to the Tibetan diaspora around the world,’’ he said.