CANBERRA—Greens leader Bob Brown says reports that Chinese officials will meet with a representative of the Dalai Lama is a victory for protesters who dogged the Olympic torch relay.
The state-run Xinhua news agency reported today that officials would meet soon with a representative of the Tibetan spiritual leader.
China has come under intense foreign pressure to hold talks with the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader since rioting erupted in the Tibetan capital Lhasa last month and spread to other areas populated by Tibetans.
The protests have since focused on the Olympic torch relay, which has been held in international locations in recent weeks, including in Canberra on Thursday.
"This is a great step forward for the people of Tibet and a real victory for the peaceful pro-Tibet protesters around the world," Senator Brown said in a statement.
"The Greens suggest that Prime Minister Kevin Rudd might use his good offices to assist the talks between the Dalai Lama and Beijing."
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