Nottingham, UK, 24 May 2008 (The Office of Tibet, London) - His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived here this evening to a warm welcome accorded by representatives of the Dharma Network and city officials, lead by the Lord Lieutenant, who represents the Queen. For the next five days His Holiness will be giving a series of public talks and teachings.

Before leaving London for Nottingham by train, His Holiness was met by the British Prime Minister Mr. Gordon Brown at the Lambeth Palace, where the Archbishop of Canterbury was having a tete-a-tete with His Holiness.

The Prime Minister informed the Tibetan Nobel Peace Laureate how much he admired his spiritual leadership and the positive impact he is making in the world and asked how he can help in resolving the Tibetan problem given that he was not in favour of violence; not seeking seperation of Tibet from China and not calling for the boycott of Beijing Olympics – the three factors that seem to worry the Chinese authorities.

Tibetan Nobel Peace Laureate expressed his appreciation for Mr. Brown’s concern and willingness to help in resolve the Tibetan problem.

He informed Prime Minister Brown that the Chinese government is aware of the three points that the Chinese Prime Minister had reportedly raised with him and that he would be able to get back to him after knowing the outcome of the 7th round of Sino-Tibetan talk to take place in the second week of June.

Following his meeting with the Prime Minister, His Holiness met with leaders of various religious and faith leaders. His Holiness was welcomed to this inter-faith gathering by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, who is a great admirer of all the work that His Holiness has done and achieved in promoting inter-religious harmony.

In the morning, His Holiness met with more than 20 Chinese journalists, ranging from those representing the official Chinese Xinhua news agency and those working for Chinese media operating freely in the UK. This meeting with Chinese journalists was coordinated by the Office of Tibet, London, following the interest shown by them to meet with His Holiness and in keeping with His Holiness’ sincere desire to reach out to the Chinese people to remove their suspicion and doubts about his non-violent Middle Way Approach that seeks to resolve the issue of Tibet in the interest of both the Tibetan and Chinese peoples.

While in Nottingham, the city of the legendary Robin Hood, who robbed from the rich to give to the poor, His Holiness will also be attending an official reception hosted by the Nottingham County Council and meet with Chinese students, scholars and academics interested in issues involving Tibet and China. His Holiness, besides his entourage, is being accompanied throughout his 20-31 visit to the UK by his Representative Tsering Tsering, based at the Office of Tibet, London, the official agency of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration, for Northern Europe, Poland and the Baltic Countries.

Report by Office of Tibet, London