Europe outraged over why His Holiness canceled Belgian visit

Wednesday, 23 May 2007, 2:53 p.m.

Following press statement by Member of the European Parliament Thomas Mann was forwarded by Tenzin Samphel, Geneva Tibet Bureau.

On the occasion of the plenary session in the European Parliament in Strasbourg late yesterday evening the President of the EP’s Tibet Intergroup (TIG), MEP Thomas Mann (EPP-ED) as well as TIG Member Milan Horáèek MEP (Greens-EFA) criticised the quasi-enforced cancellation of the visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Brussels on 11 May.

Thomas Mann was shocked that Belgium thereby actively avoided a meeting between TIG members and His Holiness. He urged the European Parliament to file instantly an official protest to the Belgian government: “The European Parliament is worldwide recognized as the voice of human rights and fundamental freedoms. We will not stop urging for their respect–especially not due to any kind of economic pressure.” The President of the EP, Mr. Hans-Gert Pöttering, replied that he will take action in this matter in the name of the European Parliament.

Tibet Intergroup Member Milan Horáèek said that the Belgian government has shown economic opportunism by sacrificing European values. The EU and its Member states should not allow the People’s Republic of China to interdict the visit of outstanding fighters for human rights like His Holiness. The possibility of China interfering in internal affairs of Belgium and the EU is unbelievable.

On 11 May the Dalai Lama was forced to cancel his participation in an international Tibet-conference held in Brussels, because of heavy pressure exerted on the Belgian government by the People’s Republic of China. Beforehand, Belgium had been threatened that a trade mission to China planned for June and led by the Crown Prince Philippe would not be crowned with success.

The Dalai Lama as a man of peace and balance cancelled his visit to Brussels, because he wanted to maintain peace between the two countries. The audience of His Holiness for the members of the Tibet Intergroup of the EP that had been planned from a long time had to be cancelled.

Thomas Mann finally said: “I had the opportunity to meet His Holiness at Leipzig on 12 May on the occasion of a ceremony where he received an award for freedom, optimism and courage. I expressed my outrage in view of the behaviour of the Belgian government.”