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01/04/2008
Irish Minister To Meet With Tibet Group
Foreign affairs minister, Dermot Ahern, is to meet with representatives from Tibet to discuss the situation it the troubled state.
The Tibet Support Group-Ireland will be seeking action and support from the minister over the Chinese crackdown on demonstrators in Tibet.
The situation in Tibet was raised at an informal Meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Slovenia at the weekend.
Minister Ahern said: "I deplore the loss of life that has occurred in Tibet and neighbouring Provinces in China. Again I call for maximum restraint on all sides and for the release of imprisoned peaceful protesters. It is important that the facts of what has occurred are established and, in this regard, strongly urge the Chinese authorities to allow free access by the media and independent observers."
On Monday, the Chinese government held the ignition of the Olympic Torch ceremony in Beijing. Security was so tight at the venue that the vast concrete expanse of Tiananmen Square, which once staged rallies of more than a million people, was empty of all but 5,000 vetted guests. Armed police manned the streets and all entries to and from the site.
The traditional Olympic relay will pass through 19 nations including an ascent of Mount Everest, which many commentators believe is an act of ascendancy by China over its forlorn Tibetan neighbour.
It is thought the relay will be beset by protests on a range of issues with China, including its actions in Tibet, its media policies and human rights infringements.
Mr Ahern said of the events in the troubled nation: "I have long advocated the value of dialogue between the Chinese Government and representatives of the Dalai Lama as the best means to address issues relating to Tibetan religious and cultural identity. Now, more than ever, I believe that this dialogue should be stepped up."
China has been laying claim to Tibet, which occupies an area larger than Western Europe, since the Communist Party took power in 1949.
The Irish foreign minister added: "We have in particular stressed to the [Chinese] Embassy the high degree of public concern in Ireland about the situation in Tibet. I hope my meeting with representatives of the Tibet Support Group – Ireland during the coming week will be fruitful."
(DW/JM)
The Tibet Support Group-Ireland will be seeking action and support from the minister over the Chinese crackdown on demonstrators in Tibet.
The situation in Tibet was raised at an informal Meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Slovenia at the weekend.
Minister Ahern said: "I deplore the loss of life that has occurred in Tibet and neighbouring Provinces in China. Again I call for maximum restraint on all sides and for the release of imprisoned peaceful protesters. It is important that the facts of what has occurred are established and, in this regard, strongly urge the Chinese authorities to allow free access by the media and independent observers."
On Monday, the Chinese government held the ignition of the Olympic Torch ceremony in Beijing. Security was so tight at the venue that the vast concrete expanse of Tiananmen Square, which once staged rallies of more than a million people, was empty of all but 5,000 vetted guests. Armed police manned the streets and all entries to and from the site.
The traditional Olympic relay will pass through 19 nations including an ascent of Mount Everest, which many commentators believe is an act of ascendancy by China over its forlorn Tibetan neighbour.
It is thought the relay will be beset by protests on a range of issues with China, including its actions in Tibet, its media policies and human rights infringements.
Mr Ahern said of the events in the troubled nation: "I have long advocated the value of dialogue between the Chinese Government and representatives of the Dalai Lama as the best means to address issues relating to Tibetan religious and cultural identity. Now, more than ever, I believe that this dialogue should be stepped up."
China has been laying claim to Tibet, which occupies an area larger than Western Europe, since the Communist Party took power in 1949.
The Irish foreign minister added: "We have in particular stressed to the [Chinese] Embassy the high degree of public concern in Ireland about the situation in Tibet. I hope my meeting with representatives of the Tibet Support Group – Ireland during the coming week will be fruitful."
(DW/JM)
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