Dalai Lama drops plans to travel to South Africa

[struggle4progress]

By the CNN Wire Staff
updated 7:30 AM EST, Tue October 4, 2011

Johannesburg (CNN) -- The Dalai Lama canceled his planned trip to South Africa this week after the nation failed to issue him a visa, his spokesman said.

"His Holiness has thus decided to call off his upcoming visit to South Africa," according to a statement from Tempa Tsering. "And, he regrets the inconveniences caused to his hosts and the large number of South African public who were keenly waiting to receive him and hear his message."

South Africa's foreign affairs office said it did not refuse the Dalai Lama a visa.

"South Africa will not comment on the decision, because it is not our decision, it is his decision," according to spokesman Clayson Monyela, who said the visa application was still under consideration ...

http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/04/world/africa/south-africa-dalai-lama/

[Vehl]

1. The Chinese strike again

They did voice their strong "disapproval" a short while back, and were pressuring the SA gov not to allow the Dalai lama to visit.
A bunch of fascists.

[Deep13]

2. Wait, to receive an award for what exactly?

Yeah, yeah, China bad. Got it. But what exactly has he done for peace or reconciliation besides spout his trite, greeting card philosophy? (Could ask the same about Obama's Nobel, but whatever.) If he wants to makes things easier for Tibet, then abolish the Tibetian monarchy and renounce his claim to the throne. Stop being a lightning rod for Chinese paranoia and oppression.

[humblebum]

3. The more China gets addled because their anti-religious paranoia the better. nt

[Deep13]

4. I don't think it is anti-religious or even paranoia so much...

...as a threat to their imperial sovereignty. They ought to leave Tibet and Taiwan alone, but if they do what's next. And since no one is in a position to intervene, China will get what it wants.

[humblebum]

5. Let me put it this way. Anytime China can be addled by any

kind of protest against their heavy-handed ways, it's a good thing. They need to be changed.

[Deep13]

8. Well, that's true.

Not that it will make any real difference.

[struggle4progress]

6. ... The Tibetan spiritual leader was invited to deliver a lecture in Cape Town at the end

of this week in honour of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu’s 80th birthday, and to receive the Mahatma Gandhi International Award for Peace and Reconciliation ...
SA Time: Tue Oct 4 23:28:07 2011
Dalai Lama cancels Tutu trip
STAFF WRITERS and Sapa
http://www.iol.co.za/the-star/dalai-lama-cancels-tutu-trip-1.1150424

[Deep13]

7. Yeah, I know the name of the award.

For what, though?