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Defying Chinese protest, U.S. President Barack Obama on Saturday met the Tibetan religious leader, the Dalai Lama, at the White House and shared “genuine concerns” about human rights in Tibet.
The meeting lasted 44 minutes, White House officials said.
Emerging out of the meeting held in the Map Room of the White House, officials representing the Dalai Lama said the U.S. President shared “genuine concerns” about human rights in Tibet.
The Dalai Lama said “Obama is the President of the greatest democratic country, so naturally he is showing concern about basic human values, human rights, religious freedom. This meeting underscores the President's strong support for the preservation of Tibet's unique religious, cultural and linguistic identity and the protection of human rights for Tibetans,” the White House said in a statement.
Mr. Obama earlier met the Dalai Lama in February 2010.
Resolving differences
“The President will highlight his enduring support for dialogue between the Dalai Lama's representatives and the Chinese government to resolve differences,” the White House said.
The Dalai Lama, who is living in exile since 1959, says he is peacefully seeking rights for Tibetans and accepts Chinese rule. But China insists that he is a “splittist” bent on dividing the country.
The meeting lasted 44 minutes, White House officials said.
Emerging out of the meeting held in the Map Room of the White House, officials representing the Dalai Lama said the U.S. President shared “genuine concerns” about human rights in Tibet.
The Dalai Lama said “Obama is the President of the greatest democratic country, so naturally he is showing concern about basic human values, human rights, religious freedom. This meeting underscores the President's strong support for the preservation of Tibet's unique religious, cultural and linguistic identity and the protection of human rights for Tibetans,” the White House said in a statement.
Mr. Obama earlier met the Dalai Lama in February 2010.
Resolving differences
“The President will highlight his enduring support for dialogue between the Dalai Lama's representatives and the Chinese government to resolve differences,” the White House said.
The Dalai Lama, who is living in exile since 1959, says he is peacefully seeking rights for Tibetans and accepts Chinese rule. But China insists that he is a “splittist” bent on dividing the country.