Tibet's envoys to China resign, frustrated

DHARMASALA, India, June 7 (UPI) -- Among a wave of self-immolations, the Dalai Lama's two envoys to China have resigned citing "utter frustration" with China's lack of response to the situation.

Lodi Gyari and Kelsang Gyaltsen's resignations are symbolic, said Thupten Samphel, director of the Tibet Policy Institute, adding that new envoys are likely to be appointed in the fall.

"This is no environment for dialogue. A hardline policy is pursued in Tibet," Samphel told the Christian Science Monitor. "Under these conditions, there is no point in engaging China in a dialogue process."

In a press release issued by the Tibetan exile administration based in Dharmasala, India, Gyari and Gyaltsen cited "utter frustration" with China's lack of response to "the deteriorating situation inside Tibet since 2008," which has led to the self-immolations of 38 Tibetans.

Gyari and Gyaltsen will remain advisers on the exile administration's task force team.

China has said it will only negotiate with the Dalai Lama's envoys, despite the election of Tibetan Prime Minister Lobsang Sangay last summer following the Dalai Lama's resignation from politics.