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Obama under fire for shunning Dalai Lama
US President Barack Obama was facing criticism he succumbed to Chinese pressure as the Dalai Lama opened his first visit to Washington in nearly two decades without a presidential meeting.
Tibet's exiled spiritual leader was set Tuesday to receive an award at the US Capitol complex a day after arriving for a week-long visit to the US capital that will also feature sold-out public talks on spirituality.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090915/dalai_lama_090915/20090915?hub=World
China opposes Obama aides meeting Dalai Lama
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By: The Associated Press
Date: Tuesday Sep. 15, 2009 6:13 AM ET
BEIJING — China criticized a meeting between aides of U.S. President Barack Obama and the Dalai Lama, saying Tuesday it opposed any such engagements with the Tibetan spiritual leader, but stopping short of threatening a response.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said Beijing firmly opposed any foreign officials meeting with the Dalai Lama, whom China claims is intent on seizing independence for the Chinese region of Tibet. The Dalai Lama has said he only wants genuine autonomy for Tibetans.
Valerie Jarrett, a top adviser to Obama, met Sunday and Monday with the Tibetan spiritual leader in Dharmsala, India, ahead of his planned visit to the United States early next month. Jarrett, who was accompanied by Maria Otero, the U.S. State Department undersecretary for democracy and global affairs, was on a private visit, the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi said.
The Dalai Lama has previously said he would like to meet Obama when he visits Washington in October, as he has every president since George H.W. Bush. But on Monday he said he was looking forward to meeting the president after Obama visits China, which will be in November.
Asked if Beijing had made any formal representations to Washington regarding the Dalai Lama's wish to meet the American leader, Jiang said only that "the U.S. side is very clear about China's position."
"We oppose Dalai's engagement in separatist activities in any country under whatever capacity and in whatever name and we oppose other countries' officials meeting with Dalai in any form," Jiang said at a regular press briefing.
China cancelled a major summit with the European Union last year because French President Nicolas Sarkozy met the spiritual leader.
A White House visit for the Dalai Lama would be seen as a powerful message of support to Tibetans struggling for their rights, but it could put Washington in an awkward position.
The United States is seeking Chinese co-operation on several fronts, including global economic recovery efforts and the nuclear standoffs in North Korea and Iran. Its emphasis on economic and diplomatic ties with China has prompted criticism that the Obama administration is reluctant to confront China on sensitive human rights and trade issues.
China says Tibet has been part of its territory for four centuries. It has governed the Himalayan region with an iron first since communist troops took control there in 1951. Many Tibetans claim they were effectively independent for most of their history and say Chinese rule and economic exploitation are eroding their traditional Buddhist culture.
The Dalai Lama fled to India during a 1959 Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule and travels the world promoting the Tibetan cause. He advocates some form of autonomy that would allow Tibetans to freely practice their culture, language and religion.
Obama under fire for shunning Dalai Lama
US President Barack Obama was facing criticism he succumbed to Chinese pressure as the Dalai Lama opened his first visit to Washington in nearly two decades without a presidential meeting.
Tibet's exiled spiritual leader was set Tuesday to receive an award at the US Capitol complex a day after arriving for a week-long visit to the US capital that will also feature sold-out public talks on spirituality.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090915/dalai_lama_090915/20090915?hub=World
China opposes Obama aides meeting Dalai Lama
Font-size: Share Print
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By: The Associated Press
Date: Tuesday Sep. 15, 2009 6:13 AM ET
BEIJING — China criticized a meeting between aides of U.S. President Barack Obama and the Dalai Lama, saying Tuesday it opposed any such engagements with the Tibetan spiritual leader, but stopping short of threatening a response.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said Beijing firmly opposed any foreign officials meeting with the Dalai Lama, whom China claims is intent on seizing independence for the Chinese region of Tibet. The Dalai Lama has said he only wants genuine autonomy for Tibetans.
Valerie Jarrett, a top adviser to Obama, met Sunday and Monday with the Tibetan spiritual leader in Dharmsala, India, ahead of his planned visit to the United States early next month. Jarrett, who was accompanied by Maria Otero, the U.S. State Department undersecretary for democracy and global affairs, was on a private visit, the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi said.
The Dalai Lama has previously said he would like to meet Obama when he visits Washington in October, as he has every president since George H.W. Bush. But on Monday he said he was looking forward to meeting the president after Obama visits China, which will be in November.
Asked if Beijing had made any formal representations to Washington regarding the Dalai Lama's wish to meet the American leader, Jiang said only that "the U.S. side is very clear about China's position."
"We oppose Dalai's engagement in separatist activities in any country under whatever capacity and in whatever name and we oppose other countries' officials meeting with Dalai in any form," Jiang said at a regular press briefing.
China cancelled a major summit with the European Union last year because French President Nicolas Sarkozy met the spiritual leader.
A White House visit for the Dalai Lama would be seen as a powerful message of support to Tibetans struggling for their rights, but it could put Washington in an awkward position.
The United States is seeking Chinese co-operation on several fronts, including global economic recovery efforts and the nuclear standoffs in North Korea and Iran. Its emphasis on economic and diplomatic ties with China has prompted criticism that the Obama administration is reluctant to confront China on sensitive human rights and trade issues.
China says Tibet has been part of its territory for four centuries. It has governed the Himalayan region with an iron first since communist troops took control there in 1951. Many Tibetans claim they were effectively independent for most of their history and say Chinese rule and economic exploitation are eroding their traditional Buddhist culture.
The Dalai Lama fled to India during a 1959 Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule and travels the world promoting the Tibetan cause. He advocates some form of autonomy that would allow Tibetans to freely practice their culture, language and religion.
