Bush urges China to talk to Dalai Lama

WASHINGTON (AFP) — US President George W. Bush urged China on Wednesday to "begin a dialogue" with representatives of the Dalai Lama as part of efforts to quiet the situation in Tibet.

"We both agree that it would stand the Chinese government in good stead if they would, you know, begin a dialogue with the representatives of the Dalai Lama," Bush said as he met with Singapore Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.

"If they ever were to reach out to the Dalai Lama, they'd find him to be a really fine man, a peaceful man, a man who is anti-violence, a man who is not for independence but for the cultural identity ...