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Bush, Goh urge China-Tibet dialogue

WASHINGTON, April 9 (UPI) -- The Chinese government should open a dialogue with the Dalai Lama on Tibet, U.S. President W. Bush and Singapore Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said Wednesday.

"We both agree that it would stand the Chinese government in good stead if they would begin a dialogue with the representatives of the Dalai Lama," Bush in a joint news conference with Goh in Washington.

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"(If) they ever were to reach out to the Dalai Lama, they'd find him to be a really fine man, a peaceful man, a man who is anti-violence, a man who is not for independence but for the cultural identity of the Tibetans being maintained," Bush said.

The two also discussed Myanmar, formerly Burma, "and the need for the military regime there to understand that they shouldn't fear the voices of people," Bush said, expressing disappointment with the progress made so far.

Goh said he agreed with Bush that "the way forward will be for the Chinese leaders to talk to some representatives of the Dalai Lama. Better still if they can, to talk directly to the Dalai Lama."

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