WASHINGTON, July 16, 2011 (AFP) -US President Barack Obama will welcome the Dalai Lama on Saturday and pledge support for human rights in Tibet, officials said, angering China after appeals mounted at home for a meeting.
The White House made the announcement late Friday after a long silence on whether Obama would meet the Dalai Lama, who was to leave Saturday after an 11-day visit to Washington to lead thousands in a Buddhist meditation ritual.
“This meeting underscores the president's strong support for the preservation of Tibet's unique religious, cultural and linguistic identity and the protection of human rights for Tibetans,” a White House statement said.
“The president will highlight his enduring support for dialogue between the Dalai Lama's representatives and the Chinese government to resolve differences,” it said.
China lodged an official protest. The foreign ministry said it urged the United States to “immediately revoke its decision” and to “honor its serious commitment that recognizes Tibet as part of China.”We are firmly opposed to any foreign politician meeting the Dalai Lama in any form whatsoever,” foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said, warning that the meeting “could harm US-Chinese relations.”
The trip comes in between a number of US interactions with China that the Obama administration believes are critical for future relations between the world's two largest economies.
Admiral Mike Mullen visited China this week, the first trip there by the top US military officer in four years. US policymakers are eager to step up defense dialogue, fearing miscalculations as China rapidly expands its military. |
E-mail
