The Dalai Lama’s arrival in Sydney today comes at a politically more significant time than any of his five previous visits to Australia. It is less than two months before the Beijing Olympics and follows a period of unprecedented international concern over the human rights situation in Tibet

The Prime Minister has confirmed he will return from overseas ahead of the Dalai Lama’s departure next Monday but is yet to commit to a meeting with the exiled Tibetan leader.

‘Mr. Rudd was at the forefront of recent international diplomatic efforts to encourage direct talks between the Chinese Government and the Dalai Lama but so far appears less than enthusiastic to meet the Dalai Lama himself’ said Paul Bourke, Executive Officer of the Australia Tibet Council.

The Australia Tibet Council believes that a peaceful resolution of the Tibet-China issue depends on the current dialogue process being upgraded to formal substantive negotiations on the future of Tibet prior to the Olympic Games in August.

Mr. Bourke said he is deeply concerned about the postponement of the next round of the Sino-Tibetan dialogue, originally expected to take place tomorrow (Wednesday). He added that without sustained international pressure on China from countries including Australia, a unique opportunity ahead of the Olympics for Tibetans and Chinese to work constructively on a mutually acceptable resolution could be lost.

‘Mr. Rudd has made clear his support for a peaceful resolution of the Tibet issue through dialogue and it is essential that he meet the Dalai Lama this week to discuss ways that Australia can actively assist both sides in arriving at a mutually acceptable resolution.’

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