11-11-2005, 06:55 AM
When ever China rebels US president has a private meeting with DL
This makes China mad
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Bush holds "private meeting" with Dalai Lama
Washington, Nov. 11 (PTI): US President George W Bush, whose administration has named China as a "serious violator" of religious freedom, had a "private" meeting with the Dalai Lama at the White House, evoking strong reaction from Beijing which warned governments against holding talks with the Tibetan spiritual leader.
The White House has sought to play down Wednesday's meeting by classifying it as "private" and giving out no official transcripts or statements. There was no press conference and even press photographers were not allowed to register the event.
In fact, Bush did not even make a major comment on his meeting with the Tibetan spiritual leader, other than making a passing reference at an event honouring those who had won the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
"We strongly support religious freedom. And when there are countries that are not allowing for religious freedom within their borders we are going to point that out," White House Spokesman Scott McClellan said.
The President, during a Round Table with Asian journalists ahead of his visit to the Asia-Pacific, said that he will be discussing religious freedom with Chinese President Hu Jintao.
"...a vibrant whole society is one that recognises that certain freedoms are inherent and need to be part of a complete society," Bush remarked. "He's (President Hu) made some very positive statements -- and interesting statements -- about different aspects of freedom."
A Group of Falun Gong practitioners are planning a rally near the White House to demand exit visas for 17 Chinese children whose parents were killed for allegedly practising meditative religion and will also press for the release of eight followers who have been given long prison terms.
The Bush-Dalai meeting came a day after the State Department in its annual International Religious Freedom Report to Congress named China as a "serious violator" of religious freedom.
Reacting strongly to the meeting, China on Thursday warned other governments against providing "a platform" to the Dalai Lama in his attempt to "split" the country.
"We oppose the meeting between the Dalai Lama and leaders of other countries. Other countries should not provide a venue or platform for the Dalai Lama's activities in his attempt to split China," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said in Beijing.
The meeting Wednesday was Bush's third with the Dalai and it took place despite intense pressure from Beijing.
Next week, Bush is due to visit Beijing and hold talks with President Hu on a rage of issue, including the vexed Tibet issue. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
This makes China mad
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Bush holds "private meeting" with Dalai Lama
Washington, Nov. 11 (PTI): US President George W Bush, whose administration has named China as a "serious violator" of religious freedom, had a "private" meeting with the Dalai Lama at the White House, evoking strong reaction from Beijing which warned governments against holding talks with the Tibetan spiritual leader.
The White House has sought to play down Wednesday's meeting by classifying it as "private" and giving out no official transcripts or statements. There was no press conference and even press photographers were not allowed to register the event.
In fact, Bush did not even make a major comment on his meeting with the Tibetan spiritual leader, other than making a passing reference at an event honouring those who had won the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
"We strongly support religious freedom. And when there are countries that are not allowing for religious freedom within their borders we are going to point that out," White House Spokesman Scott McClellan said.
The President, during a Round Table with Asian journalists ahead of his visit to the Asia-Pacific, said that he will be discussing religious freedom with Chinese President Hu Jintao.
"...a vibrant whole society is one that recognises that certain freedoms are inherent and need to be part of a complete society," Bush remarked. "He's (President Hu) made some very positive statements -- and interesting statements -- about different aspects of freedom."
A Group of Falun Gong practitioners are planning a rally near the White House to demand exit visas for 17 Chinese children whose parents were killed for allegedly practising meditative religion and will also press for the release of eight followers who have been given long prison terms.
The Bush-Dalai meeting came a day after the State Department in its annual International Religious Freedom Report to Congress named China as a "serious violator" of religious freedom.
Reacting strongly to the meeting, China on Thursday warned other governments against providing "a platform" to the Dalai Lama in his attempt to "split" the country.
"We oppose the meeting between the Dalai Lama and leaders of other countries. Other countries should not provide a venue or platform for the Dalai Lama's activities in his attempt to split China," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said in Beijing.
The meeting Wednesday was Bush's third with the Dalai and it took place despite intense pressure from Beijing.
Next week, Bush is due to visit Beijing and hold talks with President Hu on a rage of issue, including the vexed Tibet issue. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->