US President George W. Bush today offered his strong support to Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, and his efforts to initiate a dialogue with the Chinese government, White House officials said.
The president said he would seek ways to encourage dialogue and expressed his hope that the Chinese government would respond favorably, Bush administration officials said in a statement after Bush met the Dalai Lama at the White House.
The president also reiterated the strong commitment of the United States to support the preservation of Tibet's unique religious, cultural and linguistic identity and the protection of the human rights of all Tibetans, the statement said.