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Australian MP group to visit Dalai Lama

AAP

An undated file photo of Australia’s Parliament House, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. Australian politicians from all sides of parliament will visit the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala, India, for six days from 1 July 2009.File photo/Photographer unknown

Australian politicians from all sides of parliament will visit Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama next month.

The delegation, which includes Labour MPs Michael Danby and Melissa Parke, Liberal MP Peter Slipper, Australian Greens Senators Scott Ludlam and Sarah Hanson-Young and Independent Senator Nick Xenophon, represents the Australian All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet.

The group will travel to Dharamshala, the Indian base of the Dalai Lama and the heartland of the exiled Tibetan community, on 1 July for a six-day official visit.

During their stay, the politicians will meet with the Dalai Lama, exiled Tibetan Prime Minister Samdhong Rinpoche, Tibetan parliamentarians and cabinet.

They will also participate in a public celebration in honour of the Dalai Lama’s 74th birthday.

Chairman of the group, Mr Danby, said the visit would be the first of its kind by an Australian parliamentary delegation.

It would also give Australian politicians a better insight into the Tibetan situation and how it can be resolved.

The Dalai Lama has lived in exile in India since fleeing Tibet in 1959 following a failed uprising against Chinese rule and he continues to lobby for greater autonomy for the Himalayan region.

“This is a significant step in Australia’s support for a peaceful resolution of the Tibetan situation,” Mr Danby said.

“My fellow delegates and I hope to return with a greater understanding of the Tibetan issue and with new ideas for providing constructive support for Tibet’s future.”

China has vigorously protested against foreign politicians meeting with the Dalai Lama.

Beijing accuses him of seeking an independent Tibet, a claim he denies, and regards any official meeting with him as meddling in its internal affairs.

The Australian delegation’s visit to Dharamshala will follow a brief trip to Delhi where the group will meet with members of India’s new parliament.

Copyright © 2009 AAP

Published in The Age