J@mpel 0 Report post Posted May 11, 2007 The Belgian government has asked the Dalai Lama to cancel a long-planned visit to Brussels this week in response to pressure from Beijing, which opposes foreign trips by the exiled Tibetan leader. The Belgian request is linked to the upcoming visit of a Belgian trade delegation to China, led by Crown Prince Philipe. The cancellation of the visit also comes on the eve of the EU-China human rights dialogue on May 15-16 in Berlin. The Dalai Lama was due to have visited Brussels to meet with European Parliamentarians and attend a conference of NGOs supporting Tibet but has agreed to cancel the visit after intense pressure from the Belgium government. The following is an excerpt from the Tibetan Government in Exile's press statement in response to the announcement: The Chinese government's persistent attempts to exert pressure on small nations to restrict the movement of His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a case of outright bullying, gross interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state, setting an unfortunate trend in international diplomacy and undermines the efforts that have been made to create a conducive atmosphere for a just and speedy resolution of the issue of Tibet. From here Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dani 0 Report post Posted May 11, 2007 If His Holiness was to meet with the Members of the European Parliament in Brussels, who happen to be democratically elected representatives of all European citizens, as a European citizen, I find it absolutely outrageous the Beligan crown and/or government dare to take such unilateral decisions and action on behalf of Europe as a whole. This is really uneceptable and deeply saddening. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Felix Report post Posted May 11, 2007 Sad. It seems that we are running out of merits in relation to His Holiness. With all the best wishes and prayers for the long life of HH Dalai Lama. Felix Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites