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Warsaw names Dalai Lama honorary citizen
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by Maireid Sullivan | May 29, 2009 at 07:19 pm
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While the Dalai Lama is embraced by the citizens of Poland, the Dutch Prime Minister has refused to meet with him while he visits the Netherlands. This may be a result of China's expressed concern for 'negative consequences' for Dutch-Chinese relations. 'When it comes to our national integrity, there is no room for compromise,' says China's ambassador Zhang Jun, whose letter to Henk Jan Ormel, president of the foreign affairs committee has been made public here, with an interview. Excerpt: "It is against my wish to see that our good relationship would be hijacked by dalai and the image of the Dutch parliament be tarnished by his visit." ..."Our position is clear: we don't want the Dalai Lama to meet with politicians."
As one commentator pointed out, 'flagrant obtuse methodology is well outdated, and invites a negative view on China instead.'
Warsaw - Tibetan leader Dalai Lama was named an honorary citizen of Warsaw after an unanimous vote from local councilors on Thursday. "As councilors in a city as historically experienced as Warsaw, we have the moral right and responsibility to show respect and honour a person who seeks freedom and sovereignty for his countryman and his country," the officials said in a statement. China accuses the Dalai Lama of wanting an independent Tibet, but the exiled leader says he wants autonomy for the region. The spiritual leader was in Poland in December to attend celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of former Solidarity trade union leader Lech Walesa receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. Polish President Lech Kaczynski had also met with the spiritual leader, and sparked backlash when China warned Warsaw about creating impediments to Chinese-Polish relations.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (2)
at 21:43 on May 29th, 2009
This is nice that they did this - thanks for this story.
at 23:39 on May 29th, 2009
I'm glad you appreciate it, Amy.
I say the documentary film '10 Questions For The Dalai Lama' recently, and in it he was adamant that he wants to work with China, to cooperate for the sake of everyone's well being. China has demolished the old economy, making beggars of the people. Hundreds and thousands of Chinese people have been moved in to take over the lands. They don't recognize the Tibetans as ethnically related to them, while China falsely claims they are. The monasteries, those left standing, have been turned into fee-charging tourist attractions.
China wants to exploit Tibet's enormously rich resources, and geographic access to the West. The letter from the Ambassador is an excellent example of whitewashing. The ethnic population of Tibet is relatively small, so there is no reason China cannot take care of them, with the respect they deserve. China should know better, as one of the oldest high cultures in the world, they've seen the devastation this kind of policy brings to all concerned.
For example, China's new middle classes wonder why they aren't esteemed and loved by the rest of the world. As long as the Chinese government maintains this cruel hard line, China's citizens will be spurned -mirroring Israel, and, of course, the USA under BushCo.