Danish PM meets His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Copenhagen, Denmark: Briefing the media here this afternoon the Danish Prime Minister, Mr. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, said that he welcomed His Holiness the Dalai Lama as a great personality of the world and a Noble Peace Prize laureate.
“I am pleased to say that both the Danish government and people place geat importance to the Dalai Lama,” he said. “His Holiness deserves the respect that is being shown to him.”
The Prime Minister also told waiting journalists outside his official residence where he received His Holiness that he felt encouraged by the ongoing visit of the Tibetan exile delegation to China.
“I am very encouraged by the second visit of the Dalai Lama’s delegation to China. I wish it will lead to dialogue leading to a mutually agreeable solution on Tibet,” he said.
His Holiness, on behalf of the six million Tibetans, expressed appreciation for the support received from the Danish people, parliament and government. The same sentiments were also voiced by His Holiness when met the Danish Foreign Minster, Mr. Per Stig Moller, on Wednesday.
“I appreciate the Prime Minister for taking interest in my thinking and also on altruism and how to build a better world. A politician taking interest in these things is very good,” His Holiness said while addressing the joint media briefing. The meeting between His Holiness and the Prime Minister lasted for about 45 minutes and they discussed issues ranging from Tibet to “universal responsibility,” the topic of His Holiness’ public talk given yesterday.
The public talk was attended by a capacity crowd of 2100 ticket holders and was organised by the Tibet Charity, a Copenhagen-based non-governmental
organisation that primarily supports the Tibetan refugee community in India and Nepal.
“Trying to create a better world through resolutions and use of force is difficult. It is possible through free will. So let us make effort in this direction,” His Holiness said at the conclusion of his talk that was well covered by both the print and visual media.
Speaking about His Holiness’ meeting with the Prime Minister, Mr. Tenzin Geyche Tethong, Secretary to His Holiness for the last 39 years, told this writer that he was impressed by the warm and genuine attitude of the Danish PM.
“His Holiness’ meetings with both the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister went very well. Besides being a warm-hearted person the Prime Minister showed keen interest in Tibet and for His Holiness’ thoughts on universal responsibility,” Mr. Tethong said.
During the meeting with the Prime Minister, His Holiness was also accompanied by Mrs. Kesang Y. Takla, his representative for Northern Europe, who too felt the meeting’s ‘warm atmosphere’. “It was a very warm meeting. The discussions that took place between His Holiness and the Prime Minister were frank and open. The Prime Minister showed good understanding of the Tibet situation and was in agreement with His Holiness’ views about global
responsibilty,” said Mrs. Takla who is based at the Office of Tibet in London.
By Tsering Tashi (Office of Tibet, London)