From: dw-world.de

Dalai Lama welcomes Chinese offer for talks

State media says that Chinese officials will hold talks with the Dalai Lama's representatives in the first meeting since rioting broke out in Tibet last month. Xinhua news agency quoted an official as saying a meeting would take place "in coming days". The Dalai Lama has welcomed Beijing's offer, saying it was a step in the right direction. Beijing has consistently blamed the Dalai Lama's followers for fomenting unrest in Tibetan areas of China. But the Tibetan spiritual leader insists he has no political role and played no part in the protest. Protests, led by Buddhist monks, began in Tibet in March. The protests quickly spread and became violent. Beijing cracked down on the protests with force, sending in hundreds of troops and regaining control of the restive areas.