DALAI LAMA AND THE PRIME MINISTER

Motion Text

That this House welcomes the visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Britain from 27th May to 3rd June; notes that this will be his first visit to Britain in five years; further notes that, during his visit, His Holiness intends to promote resolution of the Tibet issue by encouraging dialogue between the Chinese Government and the Tibetan Government-in-exile; recalls how his efforts as a champion of world peace were recognised with the award of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989; commends His Holiness the Dalai Lama for his steadfast commitment to peaceful means in the struggle for Tibetan independence; notes his distinctive message of non-violence; regrets that His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been unable to secure an audience with the Prime Minister; calls on the Prime Minister to schedule an engagement with His Holiness; and, in the event of this not being possible, calls on the Prime Minister to make a public statement of support for the furtherance of dialogue between the Chinese Government and the Tibetan Government-in-exile as being the best way to resolve this long standing issue and acknowledge the patience and peaceful means that the Dalai Lama has followed over many years.