South African Government ban Dalai Lama

This Friday's Peace Conference in Johannesburg  has been postponed after Noble Peace Prize winners Archbishop Tutu and FW de Klerk pulled out following the South African Government's decision to refuse the Dalai Lama a visa to attend.

South African Government spokesman Thabo Masebe stated that "We in the South African Government have not invited the Dalai Lama to visit South Africa because it would not be in the interests of South Africa." He also cited that the Dalai Lama would not be welcome in South Africa until after the 2010 World Cup, which the Peace Conference is designed to promote.

Archbishop Tutu said "If his Holiness' visa is refused, then I will not take part in the coming 2010 World Cup-related Peace Conference. (The South African Government's) behaviour (is) a total betrayal of our struggle's history."

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