DHARAMSALA, India – Tibet’s government-in-exile expressed satisfaction after Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin agreed to meet the Dalai Lama despite China’s protests, saying it showed the power of public pressure.
After appeals by Tibetan supporters, Ottawa said Martin would become the first Canadian premier to meet the Dalai Lama, who is to Canada from April 18 to May 5.
“The willingness of the Canadian prime minister to meet with His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a clear indication that strong and sustained public opinion can have a positive impact on the attitude of the governments,” said Thupten Samphel, spokesman for the government-in-exile based in India.
“It gives great encouragement to not only Tibetan exiles but to the Tibetan people in Tibet,” Samphel said late Tuesday.
The Dalai Lama, who has lived in exile since 1959, has tried to nurture international pressure to influence China, arguing that violent protests would be suicidal in the face of Beijing’s military might.
China responded angrily Wednesday to Martin’s plans to meet the Dalai Lama, calling it a “drastic departure from Canada’s current policy on the issue of Tibet”.
“It will be construed by his followers as an encouragement to his separatist activities. We hope Canada which has its own problem with Quebec will understand our position,” the Chinese embassy in Ottawa said in a statement.
The Dalai Lama denies allegations he is a separatist, saying he seeks autonomy for Tibet within China.
The Tibetan government-in-exile said it was not concerned that Canada had said Martin would meet the Dalai Lama only as a “spiritual leader”.
“In whatever capacity the prime minister is meeting the Dalai Lama, the fact that a meeting is taking place is a recognition on the part of the Canadian government that His Holiness is a world leader and one of the most respected spiritual leaders in our time,” Samphel said.
