Paris, 8 July: The Tibet Groups in the French Senate and National Assembly jointly organized His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday celerbation this afternoon in the French capital.
Over 100 French Parliamentarians, scholars, journalist, Tibet supporters and Tibetans gathered in the French Senate for the celebration.
Senator Michel Raison, the President of the Tibet Group in the French Senate welcomed the guest and briefly spoke about the activities of the Tibet Group.
Mr. Tseten Samdup Chhoekyapa, the Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Brussels read His Holiness’s message.
Senator André Gattolin, the Vice-President of the group spoke of a recently conducted poll in five countries in Europe and the U.S. on His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The poll’s results were released on 6 July.
“This survey underlines the very positive image of His Holiness the Dalai Lama among the international public opinion, especially in France, Germany and Italy, said Senator Gattolin.
The poll showed an overwhelmingly good opinion of His Holiness the Dalai Lama with approval ratings topping 90% in France, Germany and Italy.
A panel discussion on the Institute of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, modernization, democratization and Middle Way Approach policy on the future of Tibet was organized in the French Senate.
The panelists were Dagpo Rinpoche, Ven. Marie-Stella Boussemart, President of the Buddhist Union in France, Mr. Martin Brauen, an anthropologist and Tibetologist and Mr. Tseten Samdup Chhoekyapa.
Dagpo Rinpoche was the first Tibetan spiritual teacher to immigrate to France in 1960. He thanked the Tibet Group in the Senate and National Assembly on behalf of all Tibetans for organised the special 80th birthday celebration of his Holiness the Dalai Lama in the French Parliament.
Mr. Patrick Bloche, a member of the French National Assembly spoke passionately of his meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his association with Tibetans. He said the best present to His Holiness the Dalai Lama is to carry on with our support – the support from French politicians, mayors and individuals for Tibet.
“We politicians who support the Tibetan issue are sincere as we don’t have anything politically to gain,” said Senator Michel Raison.
There were a special reception held in the Senate for the guest and a dinner with the French Parliamentarians and their staff organized by Tibet Bureau staff to express our appreciation of their support.
