His Holiness meets President Bush amid Chinese objection
Wednesday, 17 October 2007, 10:20 a.m.
 His Holines the Dalai Lama speaks with reporters outside his hotel after a visit to the White House and meeting with President Bush, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007, in Washington. (AP Photo/Caleb Jones) |
Dharamshala: US President George W Bush met His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the White House few hours ago, despite strong objections from Chinese government to stall the scheduled meeting.
A White House spokeswoman said Mr Bush understood Beijing’s concerns, but “we would hope that the Chinese leader would get to know the Dalai Lama as the president sees him – as a spiritual leader and someone who wants peace”, she said.
It was the third meeting in six years between the US President Bush and His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The Chinese government said the meeting will seriously affect the relations between the two countries.
“We are furious,” Tibet’s Communist Party boss, Zhang Qingli, told reporters. “If the Dalai Lama can receive such an award, there must be no justice or good people in the world.”
 Thousands of Tibetans gathered at Lhagyalri early this morning for incense offering ceremony(Photo: Sangjey Kep) |
The Tibetan communities across the world are set to commemorate the celebration of US Congressional Gold medal to be awarded to His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C, on 17 October.
Earlier this morning, thousands of Tibetans and people from all walks of life gathered at the Lhagyalri for a grand incense offering ceremony (Sangsol). People offered long life prayers and tied colorful prayer flags to pray for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and for the peaceful resolution of the issue of Tibet.
Eminent officials of Central Tibetan Administration including the Chief Justice Commissioner, two Justice Commissioners, Deputy Speaker of Tibetan-Parliament-in-Exile (TPiE), members of the Kashag, members of TPiE, Chief Election Commissioner, Auditor General, Secretaries of the departments, and other officials attended the Sangsol.
The artistes of the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts performed an opera song on the margins of Sangsol.
 The dignitaries of Central Tibetan Administration attends the Sangsol |
Later in the evening, a musical concert will be organized at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts. The concert is being organised jointly by Tibetan institution based in Dharamshala including the Tibetan Welfare Office, Local Tibetan Assembly, Tibetan Freedom Movement, Tibetan monasteries and others.
The chief local authorities, dignitaries of three pillars of Tibetan democracy, officials of Central Tibetan Administration, Presidents of Tibetan institutions and huge number of general populace are invited to watch the concert.
After the concert, at 10:15 p.m. the live telecast of the award ceremony of US Congressional Gold Medal to His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be screened. The screening event will be jointly organised by Tibetan NGOs including, Gu-Chu-Sum, Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, Tibetan Women’s Association, National Democratic Party of Tibet, and Students for a Free Tibet.
On 18 October, an official ceremony will be held at Tsuglagkhang, the main temple at 9:00 a.m. The Tibetan dignataries of the Central Tibetan Administration, officials of Tibetan institutions and thousands of Tibetan people will attend the function.
The festive program will continue till the end of the day with presentation of an endless list of colorful cultural songs and dances from various institutions based in Dharamshala.
