Two Versions of Report of Yesterday's Telephone Call Between British and Chinese Premiers

Yahoo News:
LONDON - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Wednesday that Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has said he is prepared to hold discussions on Tibet with the Dalai Lama.

Brown said he spoke with Wen early Wednesday to call for restraint after violent protests marking the biggest challenge to Chinese rule in Tibet in almost two decades.

"I made it absolutely clear that there had to be an end to violence in Tibet," Brown told a lawmaker in the House of Commons.

"The premier told me that, subject to two things the Dalai Lama has already said ¡ª that he does not support the total independence of Tibet and that he refrains from violence ¡ª that he would be prepared to enter a dialogue with the Dalai Lama," Brown said.

Brown said he would meet Tibet's exiled Buddhist leader during his visit to London in May.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080319/ap_on_re_eu/britain_china_tibet_1;_ylt=AlszjSJLzYIIiavmTmGObG79xg8F


New China News Agency:
BEIJING -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his British counterpart Gordon Brown talked over the phone on Wednesday, with both sides pledging to boost bilateral ties.

Wen said that the Sino-British relationship has entered a new phase of development and China is willing to work with Britain to maintain high-level contact between the two countries.

With various mechanisms of bilateral communication, the two countries could improve mutual understanding, enhance mutual trust, expand cooperation and push forward the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two sides, the Chinese premier said.

Brown said Britain has dedicated great efforts to the development of ties with China and is ready to strengthen cooperation with China in a wide range of areas.

The British prime minister also said he believed the 2008 Beijing Olympics will be a success and he himself will come to Beijing for the event.

During the phone conversation, Wen also briefed Brown about the recent riot in China's Tibet and reiterated the stance of the Chinese government on the issue.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-03/19/content_6550495.htm