French President to meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama in PolandFriday, 14 November 2008, 12:09 p.m.
Dharamshala: French
President Nicolas Sarkozy said Thursday that he will meet His Holiness
the Dalai Lama next month in Poland, while stressing that Tibetans have
a right to freedom and should not be subjected to repression.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama (2nd R), with French Foreign Affairs Minister Bernard Kouchner (3rd R), France’s first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy (1st R) and French Human Rights minister Rama Yade during the inauguration of the Buddhist Lerab Ling temple in Roqueredonde, southern France, 22 August 2008. File Photo: AFP |
“The
Dalai Lama is a distinguished man, a man who inspires profound respect
and I will have the opportunity to see him in Poland on December 6,”
Sarkozy was quoted as saying by the Agence France-Presse.His
Holiness the Dalai Lama and Sarkozy will both be attending ceremonies
in Poland to mark the 25th anniversary of the awarding of the Nobel
Peace Prize to Lech Walesa, the anti-communist union activist who later
became president.”The Tibetans should not be subjected to
repression and, like everyone else, they have a right to freedom,”
Sarkozy said at the Elysee palace.”But at the same time, should
we sever contact with one billion three hundred million Chinese who
have made unquestionable progress over the past decade?” Sarkozy added.”One
does not justify the other, of course. But if we do not go to Beijing,
if we do not discuss, if we do not share our concerns, if we do not
progress step-by-step, then how will we ensure that the idea that we
have of respect for rights and freedoms will prevail?” he said.Earlier
in August this year, His Holiness the Dalai Lama met France’s Foreign
Minister, Bernhard Kouchner, first lady, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy and French
human rights minister, Rama Yade, during a visit to France.