Washington, Sept 12: The United States today expressed hope that differences between China and Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama will be settled peacefully through dialogue and reaffirmed its support for the process. At yesterday's "friendly and interesting" meeting between the Dalai Lama and US Secretary of State Colin Powell, the two sides reviewed the process of dialogue between Dalai Lama's representatives and China, Adam Ereli, the new deputy spokesman of the State Department told reporters here.
"With regard to the process," said Ereli, "We are encouraged by the two visits of the Dalai Lama's special envoys to China over the past year and we hope that this process leads to substantive dialogue and resolution of longstanding issues of difference." The Secretary of State expressed the continuing support of the US for the process, he said adding, Undersecretary of State and special coordinator for Tibet Paula Dobriansky were also present at the meeting.
After meeting US President George W Bush yesterday, Dalai Lama said he was fully committed to the "middle-way approach" in his dialogue with China, "not seeking independence".
Bush also declared his strong support for Dalai Lama's commitment to dialogue with China, White House spokesman Scott McLellan said yesterday. "The President said he would seek ways to encourage China to continue the dialogue on a substantive basis, and expressed his hope that the Chinese government would respond favourably," he said.
Chinese foreign ministry has lodged a complaint with US over Dalai Lama's visit, accusing it of "using the Tibet issue to interfere with China's internal affairs". Bureau Report