Refrain from statements denigrating Dalai Lama: US to China

Asking China to refrain from making statements that denigrate the Dalai Lama and Tibet's unique cultural, linguistic and religious traditions, the United States has said the Tibetans be permitted to express their grievances freely.

"We have asked the Chinese Government to refrain from statements that denigrate the Dalai Lama and Tibet's unique cultural, linguistic, and religious traditions," the State Department spokesman, Patrick Ventrell, told reporters at his daily news conference yesterday.

"Our lines and our policy (on Tibet) have not changed. We continue to call on the Chinese Government to permit Tibetans to express their grievances freely, publicly, peacefully and without fear of retribution," he said in response to a question.