March 20 Statement by Canadian Foreign Minister Urging PRC to Open Dialogue with the Dalai Lama

March 20, 2008 (3:15 p.m. EDT)
No. 60

CANADA CALLS FOR DIALOGUE ON TIBET

The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement regarding the situation in Tibet:

“Our government continues to be concerned by ongoing reports regarding the Government of China's treatment of Tibetan protestors. We have expressed our concerns in this regard to the Chinese Ambassador and, through the Canadian Embassy in Beijing, to the Chinese government.

“I once again call on China to respect the right to protest peacefully. The most constructive option at the present time, I believe, would be for the Government of China to enter into direct dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his designated representatives. Such dialogue may ensure an already tense situation does not deteriorate into further violence.”

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