President Sarkozy showed genuine concern for Tibet, Says His Holiness Monday, 8 December 2008, 10:05 a.m.
France’s President Nicolas Sarkozy (L) is welcomed by Tibet’s spiritual and temporal leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Gdansk, on 6 December 2008. Sarkozy and His Holiness the Dalai Lama attended celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of Polish pro-democracy icon Lech Walesa’s winning the Nobel Peace Prize./Photos: Reuters |
Krakow, Poland: Speaking
to a group of journalists on Sunday afternoon, His Holiness the Dalai
Lama said that President Nicolas Sarkozy of France showed genuine
concern for Tibet during their meeting in Gdansk on Saturday, 6
December. His Holiness made these remarks in response to a
question from a television reporter, who along with other journalists
was taking part in a joint interview. One-on-one interview requests
could not be helped because of time constraints. “I had a
very nice meeting and he (President Sarkozy) also showed genuine
concern about Tibet and I expressed my appreciation to him that in
spite of inconvenience he stood firm on principle,” His Holiness said.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama informed the journalists in this Polish
city of Krakow on the second leg of his visit to Poland that he also
told the French President that although it was important to have good
relations with China, it was equally important not to give up on
matters of principles. With regard to the Chinese
government’s threat that it would boycott French goods, His Holiness
said this is not the first time China has been critical of a Western
leader’s decision to meet with him and that not much action would
follow. “In the past in Norway and other countries, before my
meeting (with leaders) take place, there is lot of criticism. China
also needs Europe. European life does not depend on China,” His
Holiness said. His Holiness said he has great respect for the
Chinese nation and culture and this is why had always advocated that
China should not be isolated. His Holiness said that the
world has a responsibility to bring the rule of law, transparency and
democracy to China in the long-term interest of China and the Chinese
people. His Holiness said that just like the West had very
actively criticised violations of human rights in erstwhile Soviet
Union, they must also have the courage to speak up against the human
rights violations in China, which is much worse. He said that as a
friend of China, various countries and their leaders must also point
out the faults of China rather than simply acting as “Yes Minister”.
His Holiness with fellow Nobel Peace Prize Laureates Lech Walesa and Frederik Willem de Klerk (photo: Krzysztof Kuczyk) |
On the question of the US President-elect Obama, His Holiness said he
is confident of his support for Tibet. His Holiness said President
Obama, whom he has met in the past, had during the U.S. presidential
elections also called him and had written to him to express his support
for Tibet. His Holiness said although his efforts to
enter into a dialogue with the Chinese government has failed as of now,
his Middle Way Approach has succeeded in receiving support from many
governments and many Chinese people. If the Chinese
government gave a positive signal the Tibetan side was ready to discuss
the Tibet issue on the basis of his Middle Way Approach and the
memorandum his envoys had presented, His Holiness added. His
Holiness has been met by many world leaders, including the German
Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel, the Prime Minister of Britain Mr Gordon
Brown and the President of the United States, Mr. George Bush, who also
last year presented to His Holiness the US Congressional Gold Medal,
America’s highest civilian honour. The prime minister of Poland, Mr. Donald Tusk, also met His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Gdansk on Saturday.
His Holiness briefed the Polish prime minister about all the efforts he
has made to resolve the just cause of Tibet through his non-violent
Middle-Way Approach that that takes into consideration the interests of
both the Tibetan and Chinese peoples. His Holiness stressed that the
issue of Tibet is a moral issue and expressed his appreciation for
Poland’s support for the just Tibetan cause. His Holiness
said he would continue the Middle Way Approach as it has been endorsed
by the Special General Meeting of the Tibetan people’s representatives
and worldwide Tibet Support Groups Meeting held last month and during
which opinions, even those critical to his approach, were expressed in
accordance to democratic freedom of speech. The prime
minister of Poland told His Holiness how much the Polish people respect
and admire his peaceful efforts. The Polish Prime Minister’s own
admiration for His Holiness was evident when prior to their meeting he
came to hear His Holiness’ address to the international conference
organised by the Lech Walesa Institute and in which His Holiness said
global peace was possible through the spirit of dialogue and taking into consideration the rights and feelings of other fellow human beings.
Support for His Holiness’ peaceful efforts for Tibet was also expressed
at the conference by other Nobel Peace Laureates including Lech Walesa
and Frederik Willem de Klerk, also former President of South Africa.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama addresses at the international conference in Gdansk on “Solidarity for the Future”. |
The media interest and coverage of His Holiness’ visit to Gdansk and
his participation at the two day panel discussion on peace and youth
with fellow Nobel Peace Prize Laureates was overwhelming, and helped
much to put the focus on the unresolved issue of Tibet Honorary Doctorate
His Holiness was today received upon his arrival to Krakow by the
Rector of Jagiellonian University, Prof. Dr. Karol Musiol and other
senior university officials. Tomorrow, His Holiness will be attending a
ceremony at Krakow’s prestigious Jagiellonian University to receive an
honorary degree. A press release issued by the university
says, His Holiness’ acceptance of their invitation “would not only be a
tremendous honour for the university, but a great opportunity for the
people of Poland to learn more about moral strength”. Besides
accepting the honorary degree, His Holiness will also be giving a
public talk at the university on the importance of education.
His Holiness’ arrival to Krakow was reported extensively in today’s
prime time TV news reports with pictures of Polish and Mongolian people
carrying Tibetan flags, khata and flowers to welcome the Tibetan
spiritual and temporal leader. –Report by The Office of Tibet, London