Tibetan Parliament in Exile Disappointed with Russian Decision
Dharamsala, 24 September 2003: The Assembly of Tibetan People s Deputies (Tibetan Parliament in Exile) in a press statement issued today expressed “deep sense of disappointment and regret” with the Russian decision to deny a visa to His Holiness the Dalai Lama to visit Kalmykia Republic of the Russian Federation.
Mr. Pema Jungney, the Chairman of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, said that: “Tibetans both within and outside Tibet, Buddhists all over the world, supporters of peace, truth, non-violence and justice are deeply saddened to learn that the Government of Russia, dancing to the tune of Beijing, refused to issue visa to H. H. the Dalai Lama to visit Kalmykia”.
In the press release made available to the media this afternoon, the Tibetan Parliament in Exile urged, President Vladimir Putin, “to respect the sentiments of the people of Kalmykia for their longing to see and hear H. H. the Dalai Lama.”
In August this year, Mr. Kirsan Nikolayevich Illyumzhinov, the President of Kalmykia Republic paid a two day visit to Dharamsala.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama was to visit Kalmykia upon the completion of the current visit to the United States of America. His Holiness is now scheduled to return to Dharamsala on 26 September.