China lays down the rules for further talks with the Dalai Lama
4 Jul 2008, 1336 Hrs

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New Delhi, July 4 (ANI): The Chinese government is learnt to have conveyed to His Holiness the Dalai Lama that before another round of talks with his representatives could be held, he should publicly declare that the activists of 'Tibetan Youth Congress' should not disturb the Beijing Olympic Games and shun plots to fan violence during the Games.

Du Qinglin, head of the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, recently met with two Dalai Lama representatives, Lodi Gyari and Kelsang Gyaltsen, and said that "the door of dialogue is always open."

Du is also the vice-chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee.

"The Dalai Lama should openly and explicitly promise not to support activities to disturb the Beijing Olympic Games and plots to fan violence, and justify his words with his actions. He should also take steps to show he does not support the violent terrorist activities of the 'Tibetan Youth Congress', and should help curb them," the China Daily quoted him as saying.

The Chinese Department in charge of Ethnic Minorities and Religious Affairs has said a new round of talks can be held at the end of the year if the Dalai Lama shows "positive behavior". "The central government will continue to support the region's economic and social development and work toward improving the living standards of the people in Tibet," he said.

The central government's policy toward the Dalai Lama is consistent and explicit, said a statement issued by the Department on Thursday.

Zhu Weiqun and Sitar, two deputy heads of the department, also met with the Dalai Lama's representatives. According to the department's statement, the Dalai Lama's representatives said they would report the developments to him. During their stay in Beijing, the two visited the Olympic Games' stadiums and talked with some Tibetologists too.

It was the highest-level meeting since talks resumed between the central government and the Dalai Lama in 2002 and the second closed-door dialogue after the Lhasa riots in March. (ANI)