Sikyong endeavours for video conference between Dalai Lama, US congressmen

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, November 21

In view of the new policy being adopted by the US Congress, the Tibetan government in exile was making efforts to organise a video conference between the Dalai Lama and the US congressmen.

In this direction, president of Tibetan government in exile Sikyong Lobsang Sangay today met Rep Yoho, a long-time Tibet supporting Republican congressman.

The two leaders discussed the possibility of a video conference between congress members and the Dalai Lama.

As per official release of the Tibetan government in exile, Sikyong and Rep expressed concern about China’s influence in Mongolia. Rep Yoho agreed that there is bicameral and bipartisan support between the House and Senate for Tibet. Rep Yoho praised Tibetans for their resilience.

In the afternoon, Sikyong met Senator Toomey, a Republican Representative for Pennsylvania. Sangay explained to him the history of the Central Tibetan Administration and Chinese surveillance.

After Senator Toomey, Sikyong met congressman Tim Burchett. Representative Tsering has met Rep Burchett before who immediately asked what he could do to help Tibet. He agreed to co-sponsor the Tibet Policy and Support Act. Rep Burchett’s father had fought against the Chinese communists during World War II. Congressman Burchett even tweeted about the meeting, the release said.

Later in the afternoon, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator James Risch, met Sikyong. Sikyong debriefed the chairman on the reincarnation issue between the Chinese Communist Party and the Tibetan religious community.

After meeting Chairman Risch, Sikyong met Senator Josh Hawley, a rising young Republican senator for the state of Missouri. Senator Hawley gladly stated he would cosponsor the Tibet Act after Sikyong explained to him the mass surveillance of Tibetans in occupied Tibet.

Sikyong’s final senate meeting was with Senator Mitt Romney, a former presidential nominee. Romney recounted when he met the Dalai Lama when he visited Utahand expressed concerns about China’s uncooperativeness.

The Senator said he wished China would respect the sovereignty of Tibet and other regions.