Rome, Sunday, March 30, 2008 (Agence France-Presse) - The Vatican's
secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, expressed on Sunday the
hope that China and Tibet would begin ''a dialogue on peace'' in a
spirit of ''brotherhood and mutual trust''.

''The situation in Tibet is a major concern because it is a country rich
in traditions and neighbour to the big power, China,'' the cardinal said
after celebrating mass in a Rome church, according to a news agency.

''We hope that relations'' between China and Tibet improve and foster
''a dialogue on peace'' and relations that allow for ''brotherhood and
mutual trust'', the agency quoted the No 2 official at the Vatican as
saying.

Last week on Easter Sunday, Pope Benedict XVI called for ''solutions
which will safeguard the peace and prosperity'' of Tibet.

A few days before, on March 19, the pope had broken his silence on the
crisis in Tibet, calling for an end to violence there and urging
''dialogue and tolerance''.