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US names new coordinator for Tibet

AFP

María Otero in an undated file photo. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton assigned Otero, currently the Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs, to also serve as the Special Coordinator for Tibetan issues for President Barack Obama’s administration, on 1 October 2009.Photographer unknown

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday named a new coordinator for Tibet tasked with promoting dialogue between China and representatives of the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s exiled leader.

Clinton announced that Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Maria Otero will also serve as special coordinator for Tibetan issues for President Barack Obama’s administration, the State Department said.

“Otero will coordinate the US government’s policies, programmes and projects on Tibetan issues within the context of our bilateral relationship with the People’s Republic of China,” it said in a statement.

Her appointment was announced the same day as China — which sent troops into Tibet in 1950 and crushed protests there last year — celebrated 60 years of communist rule and received congratulations from Clinton on the occasion.

“She will seek to foster an environment to promote substantive discussion between the Dalai Lama’s representatives and the Chinese government, as well as support initiatives to help safeguard Tibet’s unique culture,” it added.

China said last month it “firmly opposed” any meetings between foreign officials and the Dalai Lama, after top Obama aides met the Tibetan leader in India.

Beijing also issued a veiled warning to the White House against an eventual meeting between Obama and the Buddhist monk, seen by China as a “splittist” seeking independence for Tibet despite his calls for regional autonomy.

Aides to the Dalai Lama then said the spiritual leader would not meet Obama on a planned visit to Washington in October, which prompted Tibetan prime minister-in-exile Samdhong Rinpoche to accuse the United States of appeasement.

In the previous administration of president George W Bush, the Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs, Paula Dobrianksy, also served concurrently as special coordinator for Tibet.

Copyright © 2009 AFP

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