By IANS,
Dharamsala: The scheduled meeting between Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama and US President Barack Obama advocates the cause of Tibetans, says a US-based rights group that hopes the two have “constructive talks”.
“The meeting is an opportunity both to deepen their relationship and discuss forward steps in US support for the Dalai Lama’s leadership, and his approach of seeking a solution for Tibet through dialogue with the People’s Republic of China,” the International Campaign for Tibet said, according to a post on the Tibetan government-in-exile’s website.
“We also hope for a constructive meeting as the Tibetan people have demonstrated to the world their increasing frustration with the situation in Tibet.
“The meeting reflects a historic and internationally-shared recognition of the Dalai Lama as an important and valued spokesperson for human rights and human dignity, and US government’s support for the Tibetan people’s struggle against oppression,” the rights group’s vice-president Mary Beth Markey said.
The Nobel laureate is meeting Obama at the White House Feb 18 despite China’s stern warning that Sino-US ties would be damaged if US leaders meet the spiritual leader.
The Dalai Lama’s 10-day US tour begins Feb 17 and he will visit Washington, Los Angeles and Florida.
The spiritual leader has met Obama before he became president.
The Dalai Lama has lived in India since fleeing his homeland in 1959. Around 140,000 Tibetans now live in exile, most of them in India. He says he does not seek independence, only autonomy, for his people, because he fears their cultural and religious traditions are being slowly crushed.
The Dalai Lama established his government-in-exile at McLeodganj near here. It is not recognised by any country.