Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

I agree with the Deputy that dialogue must move beyond the pro forma. I also agree that reports of what is or is not happening in Tibet are by their nature, because there is no international observance, ones in which one cannot place much credibility. This is a tragedy and it is not in China's interest that this should continue to be the case. As the Deputy said, there were disputes as to who did what and when, particularly with regard to the deaths of the Han Chinese. The death of any individual is unacceptable. There must be restraint on both sides and an absolute rejection of violence.

I find it very interesting that if people were to listen more closely to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, they would find he has been very measured in his comments. He stresses, for example, that it is important to find a resolution for Tibet within the one China policy and he seeks dialogue with the Chinese people. He has made it clear that he seeks genuine autonomy for Tibetans within the framework of the Chinese constitution. There is great measure in those comments.

When we first began to get wind of the violence, death and destruction, the Dalai Lama made it clear that he too believed there was nothing to be achieved by violence. Would one expect anything less from someone of his standing?

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