President Bush hosted the Dalai Lama at the White House in 2001. China has protested this week's event at the Capitol, marking the first time a sitting U.S. president will appear in public with the Dalai Lama, whom Beijing accuses of seeking independence for his Himalayan homeland. AFP/Getty ImagesWhite House photo.
by Matthew Hay Brown
Fresh from needling the Turks, Congress is now preparing to stick it to the Chinese.
And this time, they’ll have the support of the president.
A week after a House committee recognized the killing of as many as 1.5 million Armenians during World War I as genocide, officials will award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Dalai Lama. President Bush, who urged Democratic House leaders against taking up the genocide resolution for fear of antagonizing key Middle Eastern ally Turkey, is planning to attend the ceremony for the Tibetan Buddhist leader Wednesday at the Capitol.
"We are furious," Zhang Qingli, head of the Communist Party in Tibet, said today in Beijing, Reuters is reporting. "If the Dalai Lama can receive such an award, there must be no justice or good people in the world."
The Dalai Lama has lived in exile since leading a failed uprising against Chinese rule in Tibet in 1959. He advocates publicly for Tibetan autonomy within China; Chinese officials say his real goal is independence. They consider him an enemy of the state.
"China has solemnly demanded the United States cancel the above-mentioned and extremely wrongful arrangement," Chinese Foreign Minister Yan Jiechi told reporters at the 17th Communist Party Congress, according to Reuters.
China has withdrawn from multilateral talks on Iran this week in protest; a spokesman for the foreign ministry warned the award would have an "extremely serious impact" on relations between the United States and China.
Bush was planning to meet with the Dalai Lama today and attend the ceremony Wednesday.
"The President will make brief remarks, and he will reiterate our view that the Dalai Lama is a great spiritual leader," White House press secretary Dana Perino told reporters last week in response to a question about the Chinese concerns.
Perino described the Dalai Lama – believed by followers to be an incarnation of Avalokiteśvara, the bodhisattva of compassion – as the leader of a movement “for the rights of the Tibetan people.”
Meanwhile, the White House and its Republican allies in the House continue to argue against the Armenian genocide resolution. They say now is the wrong time for a measure that antagonizes Turkey, a key support hub for U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Ankara recalled its ambassador to Washington after the House Committee on Foreign Affairs approved the resolution last week. Gen. Mehmet Yaşar Büyükanıt, the Turkish Chief of Staff, has warned that “our military ties with the U.S. will never be the same again” if it passes the full House, according to the Associated Press.
The Democratic House leadership has described the measure as critical of the Ottoman Empire, not the present Turkish government. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whose San Francisco district includes a large and active Armenian-American community, says it will be brought to the House floor before Congress breaks in mid-November.
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Comments
I really do not care what the Peoples Republic of China thinks. President Bush is doing the right thing.
Posted by: Darkwater | October 16, 2007 12:58 PM
I do not worship, or advocate the spiritual convictions of, the Dalai Lama. On the other hand, acknowledging his cause of advocacy, I could care less what RED CHINA thinks of our honoring him!
As for Nancy Pelosi's twisted liberal agenda, let's just ignore her and do what is in the best interests in support of our troops in Iraq.
Posted by: RamRod | October 16, 2007 1:29 PM
We're POing the Turks with the Armenian genocide thing, we anger Russia with threats to Iraq and we aren't making China any too happy by honoring the Dalai Lama, we're making more enemies than we have the ability to deal with...
I would NEVER have believed this in years past but when a little place that's about the same size in land area as Texas has our military stretched to 'the breaking point' as some have said, I have to ask, what if the h*ll is our government thinking??
If we're gonna p*ss off the world we really need to have world class a** kicking power ready to go BEFORE hand, don't you think??
http://TexasFred.net/
Posted by: TexasFred | October 16, 2007 1:32 PM
China, land of forced abortion, sterilization, and organ donations from condemned criminals from a corrupt justice system that persecutes political prisoners and turns an eye to lead based paint on exported toys until knowledge of the same becomes public. Is this the China that presumes our government should not honor a revered leader of the Tibetan people whom has been in exile from his land out of fear of possible imprisonment and death by the Chinese government. China, go stick it!
Posted by: Steve H | October 16, 2007 1:33 PM
Gee, how mad can China get at us, after all, we're one of their biggest customers!
Posted by: Dan Tranowski | October 16, 2007 1:34 PM
China is not a failed state but Tukey is a failed state , else Turkey would act like a democratic state
American values or supporting of Tukish denail ploicy and Turkish blackmails?
US schould not yield to Turkish threats and blackmail this wiil be send the wrong message to Ahmadinejads!
Posted by: E_MARTIN | October 16, 2007 1:50 PM
In the spirit of a stopped clock or blind squirrel, I'll offer my attaboy to Bush on this one. The odds were with him that he'd get something right one of these days.
Posted by: weinerdog43 | October 16, 2007 1:52 PM
Blackwater, I mean Darkwater, I really don't care what you think. The damage Bush has caused the US in international relations will take 100 years to mend.
Posted by: Steve | October 16, 2007 1:58 PM
What is the fuss about independence? The U.S. gained independence from Britain that we celebrate every July 4th. Political independence has been taking place all the time. Soviet Union was history and is replaced by some 15 independent nations. So was Yugoslavia. Tibet and Communist China do not even share the same language or culture. It is time for the trouble maker of the world to disintegrate!
Posted by: Lam | October 16, 2007 2:02 PM
As regular posters to the swamp know, I'm no fan of president Bush.
But kudos to him for sticking it to the Chinese on this one.
The Dalai Lama is one of the most important spiritual leaders of our time and must be granted the freedom to discuss with other nations the plight of the Tibetan people.
The Dalai Lama is very deserving of the Congressional Gold Medal (not to mention a truly deseving former recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize), a man who advocates peaceful resistance to the totalitarian and illegal rule of the Chinese in Tibet.
Good for him, and, for once, good for president Bush
Posted by: Steve34 | October 16, 2007 2:15 PM
Steve
I don't care if you don't like what I think. Your ignorance is showing by you silly remark about my nn. To enlighten your knowledge, I will take the time - Darkwater in Old English mean Douglas.
As for you hatred, why don't you grow up.
Posted by: Darkwater | October 16, 2007 2:44 PM
I do not worship, or advocate the spiritual convictions of, the Dalai Lama. On the other hand, acknowledging his cause of advocacy, I could care less what RED CHINA thinks of our honoring him!
As for Nancy Pelosi's twisted liberal agenda, let's just ignore her and do what is in the best interests in support of our troops in Iraq.
Posted by: RamRod | October 16, 2007 1:29 PM
This is a fascinating post as it reflects Wingnut circuit overload. So much hate; so little space. Let's parse.
1. DL does not pray to Mr. Jesus, so he's bad and RamRod needs to throw in a gratuitous shot at DL's chosen religion.
2. "Red China." Oh, for those good ol' cold war days. Can't we hide under our desks just for nostalgia?
3. Nancy Pelosi and her "twisted liberal agenda"? Dear Stupid: She and GWB are on the same page with this one.
4. Troops in Iraq? Can't imagine an illiterate clown like you is writing from Anbar, are you, Rammy? Coward. What the troops have to do with this thread?
RamRod, I realize the world is a vast and complicated place. It's obviously a bit much for you. Next time, take a deep breath and isolate your hatred to the topic at hand. It'll be easier for you.
you have all the qualifications necessary to run from the Republicant presidential nomination. Good luck.
Posted by: a blinkin | October 16, 2007 2:46 PM
What are we doing sending our US reps to the Olympics in Beijing? In this country that forces late term abortions on women, imprisons anyone they perceive as "dangerous", supplies arms to the militia in Burma, and threatens Bush for having the Dalai over for tea? Boycott the Beijing Olympics, it is a travesty to have these games in this country that is so cruel & disregarding of human rights.
Posted by: MichelleH | October 16, 2007 3:10 PM
As Bush thinks, honoring Dalai Lama is fine but labeling the Armenian genocide for what it is, can wait forever so that we do not offend Turkey. Who in his right mind thinks that Turkey is an ally to the USA because it shares its values? Turkey is manipulating USA and Bush is giving them the license to do so.
Posted by: Greg | October 16, 2007 3:17 PM
I do not worship, or advocate the spiritual convictions of, the Dalai Lama.
Posted by: RamRod | October 16, 2007 1:29 PM
Do you actually KNOW the "spiritual convictions" of the Dalai Lama? Buddhism is centered on the Four Noble Truths as taught by the Buddha (which means "Awakened One". Blind belief or worship are not Buddhist principles, and it is possible to practice Buddhism and still be Catholic, Jew, whatever.
The Dalai Lama has written some wonderful books. Check out The Art of Happiness
Posted by: DD | October 16, 2007 3:47 PM
If Tibet has a right to independence, then so do New Mexico, Arizona, California, and Hawaii.
The Dalai Lama is a charming old fraud.
Posted by: John Chuckman, Toronto, Canada | October 16, 2007 4:08 PM
Chuckles, I guess we all look forward to saying Bonjour Quebec! as an independent country. Correct?
Posted by: weinerdog43 | October 16, 2007 6:31 PM
No any big power is forever in the istory.
Look's like USA power secret in Turks.....
Posted by: mike | October 16, 2007 6:33 PM
Chuckman, are you saying that people's that have previously been independent and have their own language and culture have no RIGHT to be independent? As I currently reside in Hawaii, I'm surprised that there isn't more push for an independent Republic or Hawaii, though there are those calling for it. If it's the people's will, then, yes, it IS their right.
And have you ever read any of the Dalai Lama's books? Studied Tibetan customs? No? Then who's the fraud?
Posted by: DD | October 16, 2007 6:48 PM
Congress must maintain its resolve in the face of Turkish threats and pass the Armenian genocide resolution. Turkey is little more than Pakistan light. Its military or "deep state" continues to call the shots. American supporters of Turkey use magical thinking when it comes to the Turks.
Turkey continues to deny religious freedom to its Christian minorities. for example it has expropriated many of the properties of the Greek Orthodox Church and has refused to open the only Greek Orthodox seminary in the country.
People are arrested in Turkey for denying "Turkishness." Turkey is not even close to being a western style democracy.
Posted by: Christopher | October 16, 2007 7:36 PM
Re the picture;
This is some of the weirdest body language I have ever seen.
blinky,
Re RamRod;
It's called the bottomless pit of conservative rage. Still bottomless.
Posted by: C.Morris | October 16, 2007 9:26 PM
"The Dalai Lama has written some wonderful books."
"The Dalai Lama is a charming old fraud."
And a great surrealist painter as well...
Posted by: C.Morris | October 16, 2007 9:43 PM
The way to peace is democracy, liberty, American ideals. The Dalai Lama embraces those - that's what he's trying to establish for Tibet - Anywhere freedom and democracy are budding, we need to be giving it a hand up - the last thing the United States should do is worry about about what some red commies think. Screw them! - This is America dammnit - we cowtow to no one, we don't make deals with commies, we bring them down - we brought down the Japanese, we brought down the Nazis. They were hell-bent on world domination and they spoke it plainly. Now, we see the same thing with these Muslims - and ya know what? We're gonna bring them down too. God Bless America.
Posted by: Vernon Lohn | October 17, 2007 12:03 AM
I would expect that Bush, who almost never tells the truth, is honoring someone just like him--the Dalai Lama. Bush said he was a "universal symbol of peace and tolerance". Perhaps he is Bush's symbol of peace and tolerance. That is, just the nice sounding words which hide the truth.What is the truth about the Dalai Lama? The Dalai Lama says a lot of neat things, but has had connections with some very bad people. Somewhat recently, several respected German journals and American journals have revealed the truth about the Dalai Lama.For example, a very good friend of the Dalai Lama is named Heinrich Harrer. Heinrich Harrer was a member of Hitler's Storm Troopers (SA)from 1933 to 1938 and then he joined Hitler's Death Squads (SS) and became a Squadron Leader in it. The job of Hitler's Storm Troopers was to kidnap, terrorize, rape and murder opponents of Hitler. The job of Hitler's SS was to exterminate the Jews and much of Europe and Russia as possible. The Dalai Lama's life long friend was a volunteer member and officer in both depraved organizations. The Dalai Lama has even recently promoted products and endorsed books by SS officer Heinrich Harrer. The Dalai Lama has also recently endorsed books by another convicted Nazi War Criminal, named SS officer, Dr. Bruno Beger of Auschwitz infamy. Dr. Beger performed inhuman medical experiments upon unwilling inmates at Auschwitz Death Camp and then had hundreds of them gassed afterwards. Both Beger and Harrer were top advisers in the Dalai Lama's government in exile. Even more recently the Dalai Lama has endorsed the Supreme Truth Cult and its leader, Shoko Asahara after receiving a payment of 1.2 million dollars from Asahara. Shoko Asahara was convicted of releasing poisonous Sarin gas into the Tokyo subway system. The Dalai Lama is no holy man. If you don't believe it, just google: Dalai Lama, Hitler.
Below are just some websites that will reveal the truth to you. The first is from Salon magazine. The second show the pictures of what crimes against humanity, the Dalai Lama's advisers had perpetrated.
http://www.salon.com/news/1998/07/13news.html
http://www.newspiritualbible.com
It is unbelievable that this person, Dalai Lama, should be given any recognition or award except for deception. He talks of peace, but he doesn't live it. Just check out what kind of fake he is from the many sites available. Only two are listed below:
Below are just some websites that will reveal the truth to you. The first is from Salon magazine. The second show the pictures of what crimes against humanity, the Dalai Lama's advisers had perpetrated.
http://www.salon.com/news/1998/07/13news.html
http://www.newspiritualbible.com
Posted by: Truth13 | October 26, 2007 12:55 AM
fause,true??
Posted by: cody | April 19, 2008 2:49 PM
Dhlai embraces democracy. He was once a slave owner. Most Tibetan were his slaves. The story of 7 years in Tibet was told by an Nazi officer, Heinrich Harre, of the SS, (who some how turn good?).
Good Bless America
Posted by: Michelle Hacker | May 11, 2008 1:59 PM
Dalai Lama embraces democracy? He was a slave ower, (most of Tibetan were his slaves) and he hangs around with Nazi SS officer like Heinrich Harrer.
God Bless America for supporting Dalai.
Posted by: michelle hacker | May 12, 2008 9:41 PM