BRITISH POLICY TOWARDS TIBET

Early day motion 154, tabled 19 November 2002 by John Wilkinson (Conservative). Signed by 47 members.

That this House welcomes the visit to Westminster of Professor the Ven Samdong Rinpoche, elected Chairman of the Government of free Tibetans, highly regarded by Indians and Tibetans as a leading proponent of Gandhian philosophy; recognises and believes that the Tibetans' unique, non-violent and principled approach to the struggle for their country's freedom, so harshly tested over forty years of Chinese occupation of Tibet, must be recognised and supported, if those who believe themselves oppressed are to see any alternative to terrorist violence of the kind now experienced; is therefore dismayed that her Majesty's Government could not meet the Ven Samdong Rinpoche because he is part of an exiled government, despite urging the Chinese Government to enter into dialogue with the envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and having the opportunity to learn first hand from the Ven Samdong Rinpoche the results of the informal dialogue which has just taken place between the Chinese Government and His Holiness's envoys; and fears that this is yet another example of concern not to offend the Chinese authorities.

Signatures by party: Labour 16, Liberal Democrat 13, Conservative 7, Scottish National Party 5, Labour/Co-operative 2, UUP 2, DUP 1, Plaid Cymru 1.