Russia hints at a Possible Visit of His Holiness
Dharamsala, 28 April: His Holiness the Dalai Lama can visit Russia, but only as a religious figure not a politician, Russian Journal, a leading English daily of Russia quoted Igor Rogachyov, the ambassador of Russia to the People’s Republic of China, as saying.
According to him, Russian Buddhists made another request to allow the Dalai Lama to come to Russia.
Mr. Rogachyov noted that several requests to allow His Holiness the Dalai Lama to visit Russia were made.
He recalled that every year in late spring, Russian Buddhists from Kalmykia, Buryatia and Tuva make requests to let the Dalai Lama come to Russia. Until now, such requests were declined.
As of today, the relevant decision has not been made yet. “Now the issue has been suspended,” Mr. Rogachyov stressed.
“On the one side, we should heed the interests of our Buddhists and, on the other, we are categorically against the Dalai Lama being engaged in political activity in Russia,” Mr. Rogachyov said.
Earlier, Mr. Tenzin Taklha of His Holiness’ private office told AFP that His Holiness would never want to disturb the bilateral relations of the country he is visiting. China’s warning against the Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin meeting His Holiness was defied just days ago.
The Russian ambassador referred to His Holiness’ regular tours of various countries and his meetings with prominent politicians.
“The Dalai Lama will ask for meetings with Russian officials in the republics that are predominantly inhabited by Buddhists – we cannot agree to this,” he said.
“If he is allowed to visit Russia, all meetings should be with religious figures,” the Russian diplomat stressed.
The President of Kalmykia Republic in the Russian Federation, Mr. Kirsan Nikolayevich llyumzhinov, had paid several visits, the last one being in August last year, to Dharamsala, the exile headquarters of the Tibetan administration, where he called on His Holiness, Kalon Tripa and the Chairman of the Tibetan parliament. He had conveyed the willingness and the zeal of his people to receive His Holiness’ blessings. But Russia later denied visa to His Holiness to safeguard its interests with China.
Last week several dozens of Russian pilgrims flew from Moscow to Toronto, reported Russian Journal.
His Holiness last visited this part of the Russian Federation in 1994.