Tibetan rights body hopes for 'constructive' Obama-Dalai meet

Applauding President Barack Obama's decision to meet the Dalai Lama on February 18, a US- based rights group promoting the cause of Tibetans has hoped the two would have "constructive" talks on the situation in Tibet.

"We hope for a constructive meeting as the Tibetan people have demonstrated to the world their increasing frustration with the situation in Tibet, and many are suffering for doing so," the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) said.

This is an opportunity both to deepen their relationship and discuss forward steps in US support for the Dalai Lama's leadership and his approach of seeking a solution for Tibet through dialogue with China, it said in a statement.

"We believe that President Obama understands what is at stake for the Tibetan people and has a role to play as the leader of a nation founded on universal principles of freedom and justice," said Mary Beth Markey, vice president for International Advocacy, ICT.

The White House meeting follows discussions on Tibet in Beijing between Obama and his Chinese counterpart in November last year, and the ninth round of dialogue between the Dalai Lama's envoys and Chinese officials on January 30 and 31.

During the eighth round of dialogue in 2008, the Dalai's envoys presented to the Chinese government a 'Memorandum on Genuine Autonomy for the Tibetan People'.

It will be the first meeting between Obama and the Dalai as two Nobel peace laureates.

In this capacity, the Dalai is expected to raise issues of global concern with his fellow peace laureate, the statement said.