October 31, 2009

Dear President Obama:

As you are aware, the Tibetan movement, its sincere supporters and the human rights community have been alarmed and disappointed by your decision not to meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama during his October visit to Washington, D.C. However, having established a good and direct dialogue with your Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett and Under Secretary of State Maria Otero, the Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues, we viewed it as appropriate and correct that they were sent to India on your behalf to explain your position to His Holiness the Dalai Lama in person.

Although His Holiness has been gracious and understanding with respect to your decision, Americans who support the causes of Tibet and human rights fear that it will be a tremendous setback to both. For Tibetans, the consequences could be wide ranging, including deeper intransigence on the part of China regarding the Tibet-China dialogue and greater political isolation of the Dalai Lama internationally. Furthermore, we share Vaclav Havel's concern that what might appear to be a “minor compromise" will in fact lead to further accommodation.

If, however, by not meeting with His Holiness you intended to signal to General Secretary and President Hu Jintao that you expect an equally significant action from the Chinese government, there are a number of specific objectives that should be pursued. With regard to the dialogue between the Chinese government and representatives of the Dalai Lama, we believe that a third party must offer assistance to the Chinese and Tibetans in defining a goal for the talks. We urge you to make this offer to President Hu, and subsequently to His Holiness the Dalai Lama during your meeting with him after the summit.

Through decades of exposure to these dialogues, it is clear to us that no efforts will yield positive results as long as the Chinese government continues to vilify His Holiness and propagandize against the Tibetan people who remain committed to a peaceful resolution. One tangible demonstration of the Chinese government's sincerity to resolve this issue would be an invitation for the Dalai Lama to visit China. We hope you will also pursue this with President Hu.

We have always believed that America is essential to progress on Tibet. At the November summit, we urge you to bring the weight of your high office, the will of the American people, and your considerable commitment to human rights, nonviolence and peace to help move ahead on this very important issue.

Respectfully,

Richard Gere
Chairman of the Board of Directors
and on behalf of Board Vice Chairman Gare Smith and Board members Ellen Bork, Joel McCleary, Steve Schroeder, Marco Antonio Karam, Grace Spring, Melissa Mathison, Keith Pitts, Jim Kane and John Ackerly

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