US for China-Dalai Lama talks on Tibet

The United States encourages open exchange between China and the Dalai Lama on the issue of Tibet, an Obama Administration official said today.

"We have immense respect for the Dalai Lama. He is one of the leading spiritual figures in the world, and we have always encouraged a more open exchange between China and the Dalai Lama and his followers," State Department spokesman Ian Kelly told reporters at his daily news briefing.

Responding to a question, he said the United States is not aware of any specific plans for the Dalai Lama to go back to Tibet. "So, I can't comment on how we would stand on it right now," he said.

"But we do encourage more dialogue," Kelly said.