The Peace People

Nobel Peace Laureate, Mairead Corrigan Maguire, has called on the Chinese Government to enter into dialogue with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his Representatives, in order to ensure political progress in Tibet and more stability in China. Speaking at a European Commemoration March for Tibet, in Vienna, on Saturday 10th March (attended by citizens of over 15 countries in Europe, and organised by the International Tibetan Campaign) Mrs. Corrigan Maguire said: "The Chinese President Jiang Zemin said in June 1998 that the door for dialogue with Tibet was open, but since then nothing substantial has happened. I would therefore appeal to the Chinese President Jian Zemin to enter into dialogue with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his Representatives in order that progress can be made on important matters pertaining to China and Tibet. I would also appeal to President Zemin for the release of Tibetan political prisoners, including the Panchen Lama and Ngawang Chopeng (whose failing health is of great concern to many people around the world). There are many problems in China and Tibet, which cannot be solved through violence or militarism, but only through dialogue and negotiations and taking up the 'duty of dialogue' which every Government must do, will help move towards the resolution of problems. President Zemin and the Chinese Government by entering into dialogue with His Holiness the Dalai Lama can give hope to the world's peoples, that we can indeed begin as the Human Family to solve our problems in a spirit of peace and reconciliation.