06 July 2008
“Atmosphere and conditions” required for further Sino-Tibetan contacts
(AFP; BBC Monitoring; Xinhua) In an interview published by China's official news agency Xinhua, a "Responsible Person of the Central United Front Work Department" whose exact identity was not disclosed stated that, unless the Dalai Lama gives no support "for activities aimed at disturbing and sabotaging the Beijing Olympic Games", gives no support for and makes no attempt to "conspire and incite violent criminal activities", gives no support for and takes "earnest steps" to check the "violent terrorist activities" of the Tibetan Youth Congress, and gives no support "for any ideas or activities that sought to achieve 'Tibet independence' and split the motherland", "there would hardly be the atmosphere and conditions required for the contacts and discussions" between his representatives and those of the Chinese authorities. He also said that Tibet's "illegal" government-in-exile, the CTA, has no role in the dialogue. "The central government will never hold consultations with such an illegal organisation", he said, adding that the dialogue only concerned the "personal future" of the Dalai Lama.