China responds to Bush's concerns
Published: March 27, 2008 at 3:17 AM
BEIJING, March 27 (UPI) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao told U.S. President George Bush those involved in the Tibetan unrest were not peaceful demonstrators.
A Chinese Foreign Ministry statement about the telephone conversation Wednesday between Hu and Bush said the Chinese leader also stated no responsible government would sit by "when faced with the kind of brazen violent acts seen in Tibet recently," the official Xinhua news agency reported.
The statement said Hu told Bush that his government has all along kept in touch with Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama "with great patience."
The White House said Bush "raised his concerns about the situation in Tibet and encouraged the Chinese government to engage in substantive dialogue with the Dalai Lama's representatives."
Hu, the statement said, informed Bush his government is willing to continue consultation with the Tibetan spiritual leader if he "truly abandons advocating 'Tibet independence'" and accepts that "Tibet and Taiwan are inalienable parts of China."
The BBC reported French President Nicolas Sarkozy has also called for dialogue over Tibet while not ruling out boycotting the opening ceremony of the Beijing Summer Olympic Games.
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband does not favor such boycott but has said international concern about the Tibetan unrest is justified.
A Chinese Foreign Ministry statement about the telephone conversation Wednesday between Hu and Bush said the Chinese leader also stated no responsible government would sit by "when faced with the kind of brazen violent acts seen in Tibet recently," the official Xinhua news agency reported.
The statement said Hu told Bush that his government has all along kept in touch with Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama "with great patience."
The White House said Bush "raised his concerns about the situation in Tibet and encouraged the Chinese government to engage in substantive dialogue with the Dalai Lama's representatives."
Hu, the statement said, informed Bush his government is willing to continue consultation with the Tibetan spiritual leader if he "truly abandons advocating 'Tibet independence'" and accepts that "Tibet and Taiwan are inalienable parts of China."
The BBC reported French President Nicolas Sarkozy has also called for dialogue over Tibet while not ruling out boycotting the opening ceremony of the Beijing Summer Olympic Games.
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband does not favor such boycott but has said international concern about the Tibetan unrest is justified.
© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
» Next in Top News:
Firefighter killed in LA blast
R&B artist R. Kelly arrives at Cook County criminal court for the first day of jury selection in his child pornography trial in Chicago on May 9, 2008. Kelly is charged with allegedly having videotaped sex with a girl believed to be as young as 13 years old. (UPI Photo/Brian Kersey)
Jury selection begins in R. Kelly child pornography trial
Full Photo
| Slideshow
Latest Headlines
Most Popular
- Judge says young girl 'welcomed' pedophile
- Report: Navaira had blood alcohol of .19
- Elderly man rescued after toy boat flips
- Judge denies motion to delay Kelly trial
- Microsoft to appeal $1.38 billion fine
- General's posting in Pakistan scrubbed
- Panel: FBI slow to join terrorism fight
- Police can claim damages for mental injury