U.S. Relations With the People's Republic of China (2008)

U.S. Department of State

Daily Press Briefing

Tom Casey, Deputy Spokesman
Washington, DC
April 1, 2008

12:35 p.m. EDT

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QUESTION: Is it fair to say, in view of the latest Chinese statements about the Dalai Lama's alleged involvement in some kind of suicide plotting, that you've got your answer that China will refuse all your calls to dialogue -- that he should dialogue with China?

MR. CASEY: Well, I hope not. Certainly, we think it's appropriate for Chinese officials to engage in dialogue and discussion with the Dalai Lama. He is an individual who has always acted in the best interests of his community. He's an individual who is a man of peace and someone who supports a nonviolent process of dialogue and discussion to resolve these issues. And hopefully, this won't be the last word from the Chinese Government with respect to him.

And just to anticipate the next question and repeat what I said this morning, we certainly don't have any information that would support him taking any kind of approach other than a nonviolent, peaceful one to this issue.

Yeah. Yeah, go ahead.

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(The briefing was concluded at 12:58 p.m.)