World leaders meet Dalai Lama |
Meetings with world leaders
The Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama spends much of his time meeting with world leaders and political figures in an effort to highlight the situation in Tibet in a peaceful and diplomatic manner.
Recently, the Chinese authorities have reacted harshly to these meetings, labeling Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's meeting with the Dalai Lama 'disgusting conduct'. and summoning the German Ambassador in Beijing to complain when the Tibetan leader met Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Angela Merkel responded "As the chancellor of Germany, I will decide on whom to meet and where."
The Dalai Lama has stated "wherever I go, China protest. The Chinese are simply testing how far they can go."
Dalai Lama receives Congressional Gold Medal
In a high-profile public ceremony on 17 October 2007, the Dalai Lama was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the top US civilian honour.
The honour was presented by George Bush; the first time a sitting US President has appeared in public with the Tibetan spiritual leader. Mr. Bush hailed the Dalai Lama as "a universal symbol of peace and tolerance".
China's reaction was immediate. Government spokesman Liu Jianchao said "China is strongly resentful of this and resolutely opposes it."
Gordon Brown to meet the Dalai Lama in May 2008
Following a campaign by Free Tibet and the unrest in Tibet in March 2008, Gordon Brown has agreed to meet the Dalai Lama when he visits the UK in May.
Mr. Brown has been asked to ensure that this is a meaningful meeting in which the problems in Tibet will be discussed. It has been reported that Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has told Mr. Brown that he would be willing to enter a dialogue with the Dalai Lama.
Join Free Tibet in congratulating Gordon Brown on this decision, and in asking him not only to make it clear that these talks be meaningful, but also to speak up against the current media blackout which China has imposed on journalists seeking to report from Tibet.
Sign our petition here.
