Swiss Federal Councillor Pascal Couchepin to Meet His Holiness
His Holiness the Dalai Lama during a teaching session in Gangtok, Sikkim, 21 April 2005. REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri |
Dharamshala 28 April 2005: The Swiss Federal Council will officially meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama during his upcoming visit to Switzerland, according to Zurich’s Tages-Anzeiger newspaper.
The last meeting between a member of the Federal Council (Mrs. Ruth Dreifuss) and His Holiness took place in 2001.
Members of the Federal Council have reportedly decided that Federal Councillor Pascal Couchepin will meet His Holiness during his stay in Zurich from 5-12 August.
Leading Swiss politicians and businessmen have hailed the decision saying that it is “right” and a “question of decency”.
With inputs from the Tibet Bureau, Switzerland.