Pawo Lobga Rangzen’s Self-Immolation Prompts Renewed U.S. Call for Tibet Dialogue

The U.S. State Department said it will continue urging China to resume direct dialogue, without preconditions, with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, his representatives and democratically elected Tibetan leaders. The statement came after Tibetan activist Lobga Rangzen lost his life from severe burns near the United Nations Headquarters in New York last week. The department said the United States supports Tibetans’ rights to preserve their culture, language and religion without fear of interference. China rejected the remarks, accused Washington of interference and repeated its position that Tibet is part of China.