Dalai Lama Welcomes US Appeal to China on Tibet

The Dalai Lama has welcomed a call by U.S. President Barack Obama for the resumption of talks between Tibetan and Chinese envoys.

Tibet's exiled spiritual leader made the comments Tuesday to the Italian news agency ANSA, on a trip to northern Italy.

Hours earlier, Mr. Obama held talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao in Beijing, where he said Washington recognizes that Tibet is part of China. The U.S. leader said he supports a resumption of talks between envoys for Beijing and the Dalai Lama.

In Italy, the Dalai Lama said he knows the U.S. interest in Tibet is strong, but he understands there are limits to what the White House can say to China. He said he appreciates President Obama's words.

Mr. Obama declined to meet the Dalai Lama when the Buddhist leader visited Washington last month. The White House says the two will meet after Mr. Obama's trip to China. Critics say the White House delayed the meeting to avoid upsetting Beijing before his visit.

The Chinese government considers the Dalai Lama a separatist and often takes retaliatory action against countries whose leaders meet him.