Feb 27, 2007

Tibet: Support for Dialogue Gains Momentum


The Scottish Parliament has become the next national parliament to introduce a motion supporting Sino-Tibetan dialogue, following similar motions in the Canadian and European Parliaments.

Below is an article published by the International Campaign for Tibet:

A motion on the Sino-Tibetan dialogue has been presented to the Scottish Parliament calling for "pragmatic solutions that respect the Chinese constitutional framework and the territorial integrity of China and fulfil [fulfill] the aspirations of the Tibetan people for a unified and genuinely autonomous Tibet."

The motion follows the passing of measures supporting the Dialogue process in both the European and Canadian Parliaments.

Chris Ballance, a Green Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) and convenor of the Cross-Party Group on Tibet in the Scottish Parliament, is calling on MSPs to join him in urging the Chinese government to continue its dialogue with the representatives of the Dalai Lama.

In a press statement today Mr Ballance said:

"This motion is just one amongst many similar currently being lodged in Parliaments around the world, urging the Chinese government to make a greater effort in finding a mutually acceptable solution to the challenges facing the Chinese and Tibetan peoples. The Canadian and European Parliaments have already voted on and passed motions along these lines.

"His Holiness the Dalai Lama has twice visited the Scottish Parliament and has expressed interest in our own model of devolution as a possible template for finding a workable solution for Tibet within the Peoples' Republic of China. It would be most appropriate for members of this Parliament to show the unanimity of will which their counterparts in the Canadian and European Parliaments have already done and send a clear message to the Chinese government."

The text of the Motion is below:

S2M-05627 Chris Ballance (South of Scotland) (Green): That the Parliament urges the government of the People's Republic of China and the representatives of Tibet's government in exile, notwithstanding their differences on Tibet's historical relationship with China, to continue their dialogue in a forward-looking manner that will lead to pragmatic solutions that respect the Chinese constitutional framework and the territorial integrity of China and fulfil the aspirations of the Tibetan people for a unified and genuinely autonomous Tibet.