Minister Ahern to raise Tibet concerns
Concerns over the future of Tibet will be raised by Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern today.
The minister will meet with representatives from Tibet Support Group – Ireland at Iveagh House to discuss ongoing developments in the region and neighbouring provinces.
Mr Ahern said he deplored the loss of life that has occurred in Tibet and neighbouring provinces in China.
Nepalese police broke up a protest by more than 100 Tibetans in front of the Chinese embassy’s visa office in Katmandu today and arrested all the participants.
It was the latest near-daily demonstration by Tibetan refugees and monks in Nepal’s capital against China’s crackdown in Tibet.
Mr Ahern said the situation in Tibet was raised at an informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Slovenia at the weekend.
“Again I call for maximum restraint on all sides and for the release of imprisoned peaceful protesters,” he said.
“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.
“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.”
Mr Ahern said he stressed these points with his EU colleagues at the weekend and conveyed them to the Chinese Ambassador in Ireland.
“My department has remained in close contact with the Chinese Embassy on these issues,” he added.
“We have in particular stressed to the 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 will be fruitful.”
