Japanese artists urge China to meet Dalai Lama
A group of Japanese artists and intellectuals issued a statement on Tuesday urging the Chinese government to hold direct talks with the Dalai Lama on the Tibet problem.
The 65-member group, including noted writers, musicians and movie directors, said in the statement that they feel deep anger and sorrow toward the Chinese government's oppression of human rights in Tibet.
They said they sincerely call on the Chinese government to immediately stop its human rights abuses, and to start face-to-face dialogue with the Dalai Lama as soon as possible.
The statement also urges the Japanese government to use diplomatic channels to help arrange such a meeting.
A member of the group, film director Jin Tatsumura, told reporters that they hope the Olympic Games will provide an opportunity for China to improve its human rights record.
The group plans to hand the statement to the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo as well as to the Japanese government.
2008/04/08 19:20
NHK WORLD English