Dharamsala, Oct 4 (IANS) The Dalai Lama Sunday welcomed the appointment of an official by the United States to promote substantive discussion between the Tibetan spiritual leader’s representatives and the Chinese government.
“The Dalai Lama welcomes the decision (of the US) to appoint Under Secretary Maria Otero as the special coordinator for Tibetan issues and he is looking forward to working with her,” said a statement posted on the Central Tibetan Administration website.

“His Holiness greatly appreciated President Barack Obama’s concern for the situation in Tibet and he is hopeful that during his presidency the Tibetan people can see progress in the resolution of their problem,” it said, adding the Tibetan spiritual leader was looking forward to meeting President Obama after his visit to China.

Obama’s top aides, including White House advisor Valerie Jarrett, were here last month to meet the Dalai Lama.

The Dalai Lama’s office said the officials came to apprise the spiritual leader on the best way the US could assist in the resolution of the Tibetan issue.

Currently, the Buddhist monk is on a visit to the US and Canada.

The Nobel laureate, along with many of his supporters, fled Tibet and took refuge in this Indian hill station in 1959. The Dalai Lama has ever since been heading the Tibetan government-in-exile from here.